Over the last twelve months an increasing number of us have certainly been on an interior drive. I’m not alone in this group – there have been countless articles in the news that confirm this time and time again.
However, interiors can be a tricky business. Take it from me; I’ve ploughed ahead with projects only to turn right back around and start again. There are plenty of opportunities for mistakes as when it comes to our homes as after all, most of us are perfectionists.
Through today’s blog post, I’m going to take a look at some of the most common interiors mistakes that have blighted me through my homes over the years. Hopefully, it will provide some food for thought, and mean that you don’t fall into the same traps.
I’m firstly going to talk about a lack of planning for my projects. I’m a big believer in the saying ‘fail to plan, plan to fail’. It’s so true when it comes to interior design. I’ve made this mistake time and time again. I’ll be inspired by a new piece of furniture or a new color scheme, and I’ll go ahead and buy it without thinking about how it will fit in with the rest of my home.
What happens next? Well, the rest as they say, is history. I’ll try to somehow incorporate it into my room, only to eventually fail and list said item on eBay. Please, don’t follow me into this category!
The next common mistake I want to talk about is a lack of color co-ordination. I’m not talking about the obvious here, but rather the subtle things that can make or break your interior design. For example, if you have a red sofa and you want to add some greenery into your room, don’t just chuck in any old plant – think about how it will look with your sofa.
If you’re going for an all white theme then maybe try something like a fiddle leaf fig tree . It’s got plenty of green leaves which will contrast nicely against the white walls and furniture.
The next mistake is one that I’ve made time and time again; buying cheap furniture! This is such a common mistake. I’m not talking about buying cheap furniture from a discount store, but rather the mistake of buying something that’s not worth its price tag. Trust me, you can spot it a mile away.
The fourth interiors mistake on my list is an over-reliance on the internet. Now, I’m not saying that you shouldn’t use the internet to help with your interior design, but only as a guide. If you’re going for a certain style or theme then it’s worth looking online to see what other people have done in the same situation as you.
However, don’t just copy what they’ve done – take it with a pinch of salt and interpret it in your own way. I’ve made this mistake before when I was decorating my bedroom. I found an image online that showed a beautiful grey, white and gold theme. I thought it looked amazing, so I went ahead and bought the same colors for my room.
The only problem was that it wasn’t me at all! It was a beautiful room, but not one that suited my personality. If you’re going to use the internet as a guide then make sure you take it with a pinch of salt.
The final mistake I want to talk about is not finishing my designs. This is one of the biggest mistakes I’ve made in my life. I’ll start a project and then get bored with it or something else will come along that takes my attention away from it.
I’m not going to lie, this has happened time and time again, but there’s no excuse for it. I’m not saying that you have to finish a project in one day, but rather try to stick with it and see it through until the end. It doesn’t have to be about finishing the ‘main’ parts of a room either. For example, quite often it’s just about accessorizing. It might be about not placing that beautiful bouquet of flowers on the shelf you have made or placing the other pretty ornament there. Either way, a bare shelf is an unfinished one. It might be the smallest element of the project, but that’s irrelevant. Unfinished is unfinished!
If you can do this then your home will look so much better for it!
With special thanks to…
The following websites provided me with ounces of inspiration for this post.
Houzz: If you learn to plan, you’ll master all of your interiors projects. This post from Houzz has plenty on the subject.
Love to Know: An excellent resource on color co-ordination for your interiors.
Avas Flowers: Avas Flowers have some of the most fabulous floral designs across their social media platforms. If you’re serious about accessorizing, in relation to what I touched on towards the end of today’s piece, check out this Avas Flowers page.
Money Talks News: If you want to buy ‘good value’ furniture, and not ‘cheap’ furniture, here is your guide. It’s one of my favorite resources on the subject.
