Interior design can be daunting for non-professionals. It's common for non-professional interior designers to feel confident in one area such as color, but then feel lost when it comes to another area such as choosing furniture. This list of a few basic interior design mistakes to avoid may help the novice home decorator:
Ignoring the Mood that Color Creates
One of the biggest interior design mistakes is an ironic one. In an attempt to get over having everything beige, people unfamiliar with design may go overboard on color and paint each room a different bright shade. This idea may work in larger homes, but may set a confusing or gaudy tone in a smaller home. A great solution is to look at much-loved clothing and decor pieces for clues as to which colors you really love. Think about how to combine a palette of these colors in the whole home to set the mood you want.
Buying Paint Before Fabrics and Furniture
Many interior designers recommend choosing fabrics and furniture before paint colors. This is a valuable idea since even beige comes in light or dark and warm or cool shades. Once you have the color of your furniture and fabrics, you can find the exact paint color to give you the overall look you want in your room. For example, dark furniture and fabrics may contrast well with a light wall and vice versa.
Forgetting the Focal Point
One of the most common interior design mistakes is to forget to create a focal point. Most professional interior designers stress that every room should have a focal point, or a main feature that attracts the eye. For instance, if you have a great fireplace or bay window, bring attention to these areas in an attractive way so that they stand out beautifully in the room. A focal point can also be created such as with a wall mural or even with a Christmas tree during the holidays.
Using Unrealistic Materials
Thinking about the care and maintenance of furnishings is important. For example, glass table tops may have an elegant appeal, but unless you're willing to clean them frequently they may not be the right choice. One of the biggest interior design mistakes is having wall-to-wall carpet in the bathroom. Most interior designers, as well as home buyers, detest the idea of any type of carpeting installed in a bathroom because of the potential for mold and germs.
