5 Common Interior Design Mistakes to Avoid in Your Home

Interior design is an important aspect of our lives as it can greatly affect the look and feel of our living spaces. A well-designed home can help improve our mood and make us feel more relaxed and comfortable. However, it's easy to make mistakes when it comes to interior design, which is why we've put together this list of 5 common interior design mistakes to avoid in your home.

1. Hanging Curtains Incorrectly. When it comes to hanging curtains, it's important to get the right length and width. The general rule is to get curtain rods that are about 15 centimeters wider than the outer frame of the window. You should aim for curtains that are gathered in front of the wall with just the edges overlapping the edges of the window when drawn apart. An exception can be made for full-length windows or specific design elements you want to highlight. Another mistake is having curtains that are not wide enough. The rule is to have curtains that are 1.5 to 2 times the width of your window so that they have a gathered and luxurious appearance.

2. Choosing the Wrong Curtain Length. Another mistake when it comes to curtains is choosing the wrong length. Curtains that are too short look awkward and jarring. You want to have either kiss length, puddle length, or float length curtains in your home. Kiss length means the curtains just barely touch the floor, while puddle length means they hang 2 to 10 centimeters below the floor. This creates a dramatic and feminine look, but they require the most cleaning as they often collect dust. Floating curtains don't touch the ground at all and hang roughly 5 to 10 millimeters above the ground. The length you choose depends on the look and function of the room.

3. Having Everything Out on Display. Another mistake is having everything out on display in your home. This makes the space look cluttered and cramped. Open storage spaces, such as shelving units and media consoles, are often the culprit. To fix this, put unattractive items like TV remotes and wires in closed shelving spaces and only display feature pieces on open shelves. In the kitchen, only display the essentials on the countertops and hide the rest. The same goes for the bedroom and bathroom. Consider getting under bed storage or a vanity with drawers in the bathroom for hidden storage solutions.

4. Making Everything Match. While continuity is an important design principle, going too far will make your space look matchy-matchy. This often happens when you buy a matching furniture set from a showroom. Instead, try to create contrast in the room by experimenting with different tones, textures, and silhouettes. Avoid using only one shade of the same color in a room and mix in different shades, tints, and tones of the same color to create contrast. The rule of thumb is to complement furniture rather than match it.

5. Ignoring Functionality. Finally, it's important not to ignore functionality in your interior design. The look of a space is important, but it should also serve a purpose and be functional. Consider how you will use the space and choose furniture and decor accordingly. Make sure there is enough storage for your items and that everything is within reach.

In conclusion, avoiding these common interior design mistakes can help improve the look and feel of your home. Keep these tips in mind when designing your space to ensure it's both stylish and functional. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below.