We see beautifully designed rooms every day here on Houzz, and the rooms beneath aren’t any exception. Each is a shining example of exceptional design.
If you have already been working on your very own interior decor, but simply don’t appear to have the ability to get it directly, then you may have made one — or two, or even seven — of the top 10 decorating mistakes. Read on to see exactly what the first five of those mistakes are — and Houzz designers’ illustrations of decor done right!
More: Obtaining the Room Right: Part II
PHX Architecture
Look how beautifully these drapery panels allow the complete width of glass to reveal. Who’d want to cover one more inch of those beautiful windows and lovely view than they needed to? These draperies are perfectly sized and placed.
This avoids Mistake No. 1: Poorly placed or sized window treatments.
The remainder of this list may be in no particular order, but I admit that this mistake is my own number-one pet peeve and most likely the mistake I really do see most often.
Drapery rods end only at the edge of this window so that when the panels have been pushed all the way open, they nevertheless cover quite a bit of the glass. If you would like to maintain as much light as you can, use a pole that extends beyond the sides of your window from the complete width that the panels take up when pushed all the way open. That width is known as the”stack.”
How many inches wider than the window that your rods will need to be depends upon how wide the panels are, what type of cloth is used, and the type of attachment to the pole — grommets, metal or wooden rings, tab tops and so forth.
These fresh, white drapery panels are perfect. The sliding doors are most likely the normal 80″ height, but the panels are hung all the way up at ceiling height, drawing up your eye and accentuating the height of this space. They’re also the perfect length, only skimming over the floor so that they don’t get worn since they are opened and closed.
When the tops of the panels were hung as I often see them just over the top of the doorways — they’d draw the eye reduced and give the impression of a lower room height. For working drapery panels, they ought to only skim over the floor so that they don’t get worn opened and closed.
If you’re putting up ornamental panels which don’t move, then they can simply touch the floor, or if you like the appearance, you can puddle them liberally on the floor.
sarah & bendrix
This chamber using this little gal in her pink skirt looks casual, inviting and full of joy. What a cutie! It looks like the sofa is upholstered in a good excellent microfiber, which is nearly indestructible and very simple to wash.
This avoids Mistake No. 2: Choosing materials, finishes or furniture which will not hold up to your lifestyle.
Life really is too short to spend it fretting about each spill or sticky little hand.
Even though it might mean you have to give up the idea of a white couch, or invest more to get better quality and more durability, then it is worth the investment to select materials, finishes and furniture which let you relax and be yourself.
Robert Granoff
Recall your four-legged family members when it comes to deciding on furnishings. Fur can be easily wiped off of leather, although you want to keep claws trimmed. The darkened area rug is a good choice around pets and kids, also.
Dick Clark + Associates
This chamber is an exceptional case of a well-lit space. Look at all the resources of light! There are ceiling lighting for general ambient light. Up-lights mounted on the wall send mild into the ceiling. The stair risers have lighting to make it simple to watch your step. Table lamps provide cushioned accent lighting and are a good height for reading too. There are spotlights on each and every piece of art.
You might also see that in the dining room, you will find spots set to graze the walls, highlighting its feel, plus a chandelier over the dining table and accent lighting within the display cases. And don’t forget the candles on the coffee table! The combination of all these lighting sources gives a richly layered appearance to the room.
This avoids Mistake No. 3: Inadequate lighting.
I often see houses which have all ceiling lighting, but no other light sources. Or completely no ceiling fixtures and only one or two table or floor lamps with dark colors. Neither situation provides all the light that you will need.
A great lighting plan incorporates surrounding light from ceiling or wall fittings as well as natural light from windows, plus job lighting which may be for reading or food prep if it is the kitchen. And lighting doesn’t feel complete without some accent lighting such as pretty chandeliers, decorative table lamps or lighting on art.
Wen-Di Interiors
This furniture arrangement indicates a comfortable conversation area. All the chairs is close enough so that you can sit and speak to each other comfortably. The living area is fairly narrow, yet each piece of furniture has a little breathing room. The couch has a console table supporting it permitting a few accessories to be placed there for interest.
The seats have been pulled forward enough to allow the drapes to maneuver freely. The narrow, oval coffee table allows lots of space between it and the chairs, while still being within easy reach to put beverages.
This avoids Mistake No. 4: Pushing furniture back against the walls and also far apart from each other.
A lot of people could have taken one look at this living area and shoved their couch back against the wall along with the seats all the way back into the drapes with a big coffee table in the center.
Rooms really look larger when the furniture is a little bit away from the wall — even though there is not enough space to walk behind the furniture. If your couch is shoved all the way into the wall, then put down your laptop, go pull your couch about 6″-8″ forward and see whether that doesn’t make the space feel somewhat better.
I’d rather use a rectangular or oval table and have my furniture a little further forward than to have a bigger coffee table together with the furniture tight against the wall.
Conversation can be more comfortable once the furniture is nearer into each other.
Heather Garrett Design
Even once you have a very large room like this where you could have your furniture considerably further back without being against a wall, then pull your bits of furniture forward around the coffee table to permit people to converse comfortably. It will make the room feel much more romantic.
Angelica Henry Design
The dining chairs in this stunningly lovely dining area seem very comfortable! The padded leather seats look soft, and the high, gently curved, fully upholstered backs look like they give lots of support. Fantastic for lingering to talk over dessert. I hope it is creme brulee!
This avoids Mistake No. 5: Uncomfortable dining seats.
Dining seats ought to be so comfortable that you can have a relaxing dinner, dessert and coffee without anybody feeling like they can barely wait to get up from the table since their rear or posterior has had enough of this chair.
The entire point of having a formal dining area is to have wonderfully fun meals with friends and family. If you’re uncomfortable before you have savored the very last bite, then your seats aren’t a deal at any price.
This is simply the first half of my list of most common decorating mistakes. Have a look at Part 2 for assistance on another five stumbling blocks to great design.
More: 5 Longer Style Mistakes to Avoid
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