Top Seven Mistakes in Interior Design

Many people make mistakes when decorating their home interiors. Learn about the top seven mistakes in interior design and how you can avoid them or fix them immediately in this D.Signers video:

1. Hanging art too high or too low

People tend to hang art closer to the ceiling than they should. Artwork should be hung at about eye level so you can appreciate art in a natural way. Maintain the visual order of the works of art by following these basic rules:

• Hang art at about 57-60 inches from the floor. Once you’ve chosen the height, stick to it throughout your space. Align the art pieces at their center point.
• Create a gallery wall. It can be organized or a mix of shapes, sizes and orientations for a more relaxed style.

The best way to ensure there are no mistakes and nasty holes to fill is to trace and cut out the frame outline on paper. Simply tape the paper cutouts on your wall and try different placement options until you have the desired layout.

2. Curtains

Curtains and blinds can make or break a home. Here are the most common mistakes people make:

• a. High curtains: Curtains make a room more spacious when you mount the curtain rod close to the ceiling instead of at the window frame. Floor length curtains draw the eye upward along the entire length of the curtains, creating an illusion of height and spaciousness. Position your rod approximately 4-6 inches above the window or go all the way to the ceiling.
• b. Rod width: Ensure the curtain rod is wide enough so that when the curtains are open, the inner edges just cover the window frame but not the glass. Stacking the curtain next to the window instead of covering it will help the window appear larger.
• c. Curtain width: For an elegant look, curtain panels should be wide enough that, even when closed, there is a fullness to them. The width of the curtain should be three times wider than the window.

3. Rug size

Since rugs are essential for creating boundaries for your furniture and defining spaces, you must make sure your rug is the appropriate size and invest in one that’s right for your space. To find the right size rug, you must consider the size and spacing of the furniture in the room. It’s important to make sure that all the furniture fits on the rug, or at least the front legs of all of the seating in the space.

4. Exposed cables

All details count in interior design, and another common mistake that affects perception and order in a space is having visible cables that run through walls and other surfaces. It’s important to hide cables and wires especially those of TV, lamps or other electrical features. If you can hide the TV cables inside a wall, use a cord hider. It’s very easy to install, and you will have a better appearance instantly.

5. Having one light source

Lighting is key in interior design, and it’s an aspect that people often forget. Having a single light source in each room may allow you to see in the dark, but it’s not doing your decor any favors. Only one light source is not enough because it doesn’t help create contrast or depth, define shapes or make colors pop.

To fix this mistake, you need to have different light sources in the space. You need to have layered lighting sources such as:

• Ambient lighting for overall illumination through table, wall and floor lamps, and hanging or ceiling lamps
• Accent lights to highlight a specific object or area and to draw attention to certain features through recessed ceiling lights, track lights or wall-mounted lights
• Task lighting for a particular task or activity such as reading, writing or eating

A good lighting plan for interior design will combine all three sources and at different heights.

6. Not measuring the space

Don’t rely on your eyes to measure a space. Before purchasing furniture or decorative accents, measure all the dimensions to map out your space to avoid overcrowding or under-furnishing. Think about the circulation you need in the space, measure heights under tables, and take measurements of your walls to select artwork in the right scale and proportion.

7. Designing without considering your style and needs

People often don’t stop and ask themselves what they really want and need. Instead of following trends and copying interior design ideas, first ask yourself what you like about room designs you see online or in magazines. Is it the colors, textures, materials, lighting, or furniture? Once you have identified your personal preferences, then you can begin your own interior home decoration with confidence. Remember that good design is not only about beauty; you also need to know how your family uses the different spaces in your home before you begin a remodel.