7 Design Mistakes You Might Be Making In Your Home
I always say that good design takes time. I also know that sometimes we get to a point where we just want to be DONE making design decisions and think “Let's just use what we have a be done with it!”. Working with design clients, I have seen a lot of common mistakes that clients have made before I help them create the design of their dreams! Here are the top seven design mistakes you might be making in YOUR home and some ways to avoid making those mistakes:
Using The Wrong Size Rug
Figuring out the right size rug you need can be tricky. There's no denying that area rugs are pricey, and typically the bigger you go, the more expensive they are. However, selecting a rug that's too small for the space is a design issue that can immediately make your space look cheaper, no matter how well-designed the rest of it is. You want to make sure you don't have too small of a rug or the room will feel smaller, but going to big will also swallow up the rest of your furniture. Finding the right size rug will add a great addition to your space, will ground the furniture and will be the perfect way to complete your space. For our meet with meg design clients, we put your room into a floor planner to make sure to get the perfect size every time!
Not leaving room for a walkway
We see this happen most when furniture isn't measured properly. Sometimes it's that the couch is a little too long, that the buffet only fits when it's snug with the dining table, etc. When you're first moving in, a tight walkway might not feel like the end of the world, but after some time, I promise you'll get sick of it! The way to combat this issue is to measure, measure, MEASURE! Here at MegMade, we always keep walkways in mind and don't suggest furniture that will intrude in the common walkway space!
Buying all matching furniture
We get clients all the time that say, “I have a bedroom set of furniture that I HATE”. Mixing different furniture styles can be more difficult to mesh, but it will give your space depth and more of a “professionally designed” look. Avoid bedroom furniture sets, dining table sets, etc. Instead, opt to mix and match and bring the furniture together through color, pattern or similar styles.
Being afraid of color, pattern and texture
I know that neutrals are a great building block, but I always saying adding elements of color, pattern and texture are what really brings a design home to create a finished look. You can getaway with dropping one, but you need at least two for a layered look. Add these dimensions in through furniture, rugs, decor, throw pillows – the world is your oyster when it comes to color, pattern and texture!
not incorporating enough lighting
Lighting is actually a major factor in the overall look and feel of a space. It creates a great ambiance and you'll realize in most rooms different lights will be used for different activities. Don't ignore the power of natural lighting — if you're lucky enough to have large windows in your living room, you may want to consider blinds or curtains that allow some sunshine to come in during the daylight hours. Having a few different lamps and light fixtures throughout your living room will allow you to tailor your lighting to your needs.
pushing all your furniture to the wall
Especially in smaller rooms, it seems like it would make the most sense to push all your furniture to the walls to maximize your floor space. However, this layout can leave the functionality and use of the room feel awkward and not efficient. Instead, utilize the entire floor space with the different activities you will use the space for in mind. For example, if you are planning on making your front room a space to host guests, think about how you can create a functional flow for multiple guests to sit and talk. You may want to make sure all guests will have a place to set down their glasses. Thinking through those things on the front end will make it easier to then choose the actual furniture when it comes to making the selections.
Over Decorating
Sometimes it seems like more decor will create a more finished look. However, sometiems less is more! With three boys, I get that it's VERY easy to acquire lots of random figurines, books, you name it! I like to do a sweep every few weeks and remove the extras to make sure the space is feeling decorated but not over-done.
I hope this helped to think through your space before you move in or to tweak your current space to save you headaches down the road!
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