Design Don'ts: Eight Common Mistakes to Avoid When Designing Your Home
Designing your home can be an exciting and rewarding process, but it's important to remember a rushed decision, a lack of planning, or simply a design trend that didn't quite work out, design mistakes can be frustrating and costly to fix. However, by understanding some of the most common design mistakes, you can avoid them and create a space that you'll love for years to come. In this blog post, we'll explore eight design mistakes that you should be aware of when designing and decorating your home. We'll provide tips and insights to help you avoid these common design pitfalls. By being mindful of these mistakes, you can save time, money, and frustration while creating a beautiful and functional space that reflects your unique style and personality.
1. Furniture Sets
We love to mix and match furniture pieces from different brands and styles to create a custom look that is tailored to the client's needs and preferences. This approach creates a unique and cohesive look that reflects the client's individual style and personality. Additionally, mixing and matching furniture pieces allows designers to incorporate different textures, colors, and materials, which can add depth and interest to a room's design.
2. Not Testing Wall Paint Colors
Choosing the right wall paint color for your home can be a daunting task, but it's important to remember that you should always test the paint colors before making a final decision. Testing the paint color can help you get a better sense of how the color will look in your space, as well as how it will interact with the lighting and other elements in the room. It's recommended to test paint colors on a small section of the wall, ideally near a window or other source of natural light, as this will give you the most accurate representation of how the color will look. By testing the paint color, you can also see how the color changes throughout the day as the light changes, giving you a better sense of how the color will look in different lighting conditions. Testing paint colors can save you time and money in the long run by avoiding costly mistakes and the need to repaint the entire room. Taking the time to test wall paint colors is a crucial step in the home decorating process that can help you make an informed decision and ensure that you are happy with the final result.
3. Purchasing Furniture Before Creating a Floor Plan
Without a well-planned layout, it can be difficult to know what size and style of furniture will work best in the space. Buying furniture without knowing the specific dimensions and layout of a room can lead to purchasing pieces that are too large or too small for the space, resulting in a cluttered or empty look. Using a floorplan or layout can also help to identify potential design challenges or opportunities and ensure that the furniture fits well with the room's overall design and style. Without a plan, it's easy to fall into the trap of buying furniture based on individual pieces rather than considering how they fit together as a whole. A well-planned layout can help to ensure that furniture pieces work together to create a cohesive and stylish look.
4. Skimping on Quality
High-quality furniture is an investment that can last for several years, if not decades. Choosing cheaper and lower quality furniture can result in having to replace it sooner than anticipated, ultimately costing more money in the long run. Lower quality furniture can often be uncomfortable, which can impact both the functionality and enjoyment of the space. For example, a cheap sofa may sag or lose its shape over time, making it uncomfortable to sit on.
5. Too Much Clutter
Over-decorating or cluttering a space can have negative impacts on its functionality and aesthetics. It can make the room feel cramped and disorganized, which can be overwhelming and unpleasant. When there is too much going on in a room, it can be difficult to focus on any one thing, and the space can lose its intended purpose. Over-decorating can also make it challenging to move around and access different areas of the room. Cluttered spaces can be more difficult to clean and maintain, leading to a buildup of dust and debris. To create a functional and aesthetically pleasing space, it's important to strike a balance between adding decorative elements and keeping the space organized and clutter-free. By doing so, you can create a space that feels welcoming, relaxing, and enjoyable to spend time in.
6. Ignoring the Flow of Traffic
Designing a room with the flow of traffic in mind is an important consideration for creating a functional and practical space. The flow of traffic refers to how people move through and interact with the room, and it's essential to ensure that there is enough space for movement and that the traffic pattern is intuitive and easy to navigate. When designing a room, it's important to consider the location of doors and windows, as well as the placement of furniture and other elements. This will help to create a natural flow that allows people to move comfortably and easily through the space. For example, in a living room, it's important to ensure that there is enough space for people to walk around the seating area without having to squeeze through tight spaces or awkwardly navigate around furniture. Similarly, in a kitchen, it's important to ensure that the flow between the stove, sink, and refrigerator is smooth and easy to navigate. By designing a room with the flow of traffic in mind, you can create a space that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also practical, comfortable, and functional.
7. Forgetting Rug Pads
Rug pads are an essential component of any area rug setup. They offer several benefits that can improve the look and feel of your space, as well as extend the life of your rug. One of the main benefits of rug pads is that they provide extra cushioning and comfort underfoot. This is particularly important in high-traffic areas or spaces where you stand for extended periods, such as the kitchen. Rug pads can also help to protect your floors from scratches and damage caused by the back of the rug rubbing against the floor. This is especially important for hardwood floors or other delicate flooring materials. Another important benefit of rug pads is that they can prevent slipping and sliding, making your space safer for you and your family. This is particularly important for children and elderly individuals who may be more prone to slips and falls. Additionally, rug pads can help to extend the life of your rug by reducing wear and tear caused by friction with the floor. Investing in a high-quality rug pad is an important step in creating a comfortable, safe, and functional space that will stand the test of time.
8. Not Supporting Local Artists
Sourcing home decor from local artists can have several benefits for both the homeowner and the community. By supporting local artists, you can help to foster a vibrant creative community and encourage the growth of local businesses. When sourcing home decor from local artists, you also have the opportunity to discover unique and one-of-a-kind pieces that can add character and personality to your home. You can often work directly with the artist to create custom pieces that fit your specific style and needs. By purchasing from local artists, you are investing in the local economy, which can have a positive impact on the community as a whole. When you buy from local artists, you are also supporting sustainable and ethical production practices, which can be an important consideration for many homeowners. Sourcing home decor from local artists is a win-win situation. You get to add unique and high-quality pieces to your home while supporting the local economy and community.
Need help designing your home?
At Studio Shaolin we work with clients in Hawaii and across the United States to create timeless spaces that reflect the individual needs of each project. Learn more about how we can help with your design and home renovation project by booking a discovery call.
