There are several interior design mistakes that one can make. I am going to focus on some that I think are the most common. If you take these steps one by one you will have a successful interior.
1. Over furnishing a room. This is by far the most common mistake that I see. People buy furniture too large for the room or fill it up with too many items. This makes the space crowded and small. Purchase furniture that will allow a room to breathe and not over crowd it. Having furniture that is multi-functional will reduce the number of pieces in a room.
2. Hanging artwork too high. Hang art around 66"-72" to the top of the piece from the floor. This is most visually appealing in a room with an eight-foot ceiling. There are exceptions when the art is very large or it is hanging above a large furniture piece. Don't hang art in a diagonal line. Group smaller pieces together to create one focal point. Take a look in decorating magazines and study how art is hung for good visual examples.
3. Clutter and disorganization. If you organize your day-to-day clutter and eliminate stuff you seldom or never use, you will have much more living space. Purge unwanted items. Make room to display your collections and provide storage for things you want to keep.
4. Quantity versus Quality. Buy only what you love and avoid cheap knickknacks and art. Buy the best art, furniture and accessories you can afford. The quality of good items will last and may hold resale value if you choose to eliminate them later. Cheap stuff is always cheap and will become throw away items.
5. Bad lighting. Have several light sources in a space not just one overhead ceiling fixture. Incorporate floor and table lamps for reading. Chandeliers offer overall ambiance and illumination. Track and recessed lighting provide accents for art and tasks.
It is important to love your home. If you focus on these five tips you can improve the look and feel of your home. If you are overwhelmed with your possessions and or clutter seek out a professional organizer to help you sort and organize.
Julie Fergus, ASID, is a nationally published interior designer. Her studio and showroom is located in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. Julie's clients are primarily in the Lakes Region and Mount Washington Valley, however, she will travel throughout the state and North East. Visit her website for contact info.