It’s easy to make mistakes when decorating a home or apartment because beautifying a space is a lot harder than it seems. It’s also fair to say that a lot of renters and homeowners don’t have any interior design experience and are just “winging it” and hoping for the best outcome. The only design knowledge you might have before you begin is what you would have learned from EZ Living Furniture’s blogs and reels on Instagram and TikTok. And while this teaches us a lot of what we need to know, our spaces can still end up lacking that je nais se quois. So, with that in mind, we enlisted the help of our experienced interior designer and social media guru Ola Jordan to gain some invaluable home decor knowledge. EZ Living Furniture wants to learn from Ola’s mishaps so you don’t have to make the same mistakes and end up costing yourself more money. So with that, let’s begin!
Not Considering Space
Ola says “one of the most common interior mistakes a person can make is not having a plan”. Before tackling any task, you must first understand exactly what you have to work with i.e. the size and layout of the space as well as the budget you have to spend. It’s important to choose furniture and decor that is appropriate for the size and layout of the room. These items will also need to fit within the budget you have allowed for the task.
Not Considering The Room's Function
It's important to design a room with an intended purpose in mind. Ola says to include elements that will support the way the room will be used. If you fail to choose furniture and decor that is appropriate for the size and layout of the room it can upset the “flow” of the room and could end up blocking entry points into the room etc. The layout and placement of the individual items should always allow for a natural flow through the room.
Not Establishing A Focal Point
“Use a floor plan or sketch to establish optimal traffic patterns without your existing furniture throwing you off”. Start at the room’s point of entry and find the easiest path to the next entryway/exit. In a room that has only one entrance, the traffic must flow around the furniture and back out the same doorway.
Not Adding Enough Storage
Lack of storage can make a room feel cluttered and disorganized. Make sure to include ample storage solutions in your design plan.
Going For “Trendy” Instead Of “Practical”
Trends are just that, trends. They may be popular right now but they mightn’t stick around for very long. This can mean investing in pieces that look great for now but are not very practical for everyday use. This can also mean that you end up buying more items than you need to. Once something is no longer “trendy”, we tend to swap it out for something new. We have always prioritised trends over practicality and this is exactly what Ola wants us to stop doing.
Buying “Ready Designs”
There is no such thing as “one-size fits all”. It doesn’t work with clothing and it definitely doesn’t work within the home. Ola says “the best example of this in the home is the kitchen”. Investing in one-size kitchen cabinets could mean that you end up having a lot of extra cabinets you can’t use or not enough storage for your needs. A kitchen’s design will need to be tailored to your needs and your home. The same goes for any built-in furniture in various other rooms.
Having A “Buy Cheap” Attitude
As the old saying goes “Buy cheap, buy twice” and it’s only when you get older that you truly understand how correct this statement really is. We expect cheap items of furniture and mattresses to last us a lifetime, but it’s just not realistic. Ola suggests investing in permanent fixtures and furniture that will serve you for years to come. Purchase top-quality furniture from EZ Living Furniture instead of buying “quick fix” items because you will only end up spending that money again in a few months’ time when that cheap item inevitably breaks.
Not Trying Before You Buy
Before you purchase any fabrics, colours, and paints, Ola suggests buying these helpful and inexpensive items. Paint samples, fabric samples and tile and carpet samples. After all, all of these can look completely different in the store from what they will look like in your home. This is primarily down to store lighting and store size etc. By bringing home an example of what you plan on putting in your space, you can avoid making any expensive mistakes. It’s very important that you try before you buy (where possible).
Skimping On Lighting
Skimping on lighting or only including one light source is a big “no-no” according to Ola. Poor lighting can make a room feel dull and uninviting. Make sure to include a variety of lighting sources in your design plans. This means table lamps, ceiling lights, and floor lamps. Don’t forget to also utilise natural light in your design as this can make a world of difference. Larger items of furniture in a living room such as a sofa, should not be blocking any windows, if possible.
Interesting Read: The Secrets To Lighting Your Home.
Not Arranging Home Accessories In Groups
Arranging home accessories in groups of odd numbers is often more appealing than even groupings. Think cushions, vases, ornaments, and candle holders. According to Ola, “3” is the magic number in most cases. Remember to include different heights, textures, and shapes to produce the most appealing and interesting arrangements.
By avoiding these common errors, you can easily create a well-designed and functional space in your home. So, it’s safe to assume that the best way to deal with mistakes is to learn from the ones committed by others. Thanks Ola!
We hope you enjoyed this content and found it useful and informative. We aim to share our expertise and knowledge with our customers and to do this we have a team of content creators working tirelessly behind the scenes. We do not use AI to create our content. Click this link to find out more about our team and content guidelines.
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