Design Mistakes to Avoid
Design is a personal thing, there’s no doubt about that. And while everyone has their own style and gravitates towards different finishes, fixtures, and decor, there are universal design mistakes that can take a room from chic to cringe-worthy in a second. When it comes to good design, it’s all about balance, and leaning too far in one direction or another can end up in disaster. Luckily, I’ve rounded up a list of the most common design mistakes out there to help you keep your space feeling exactly the way you imagined. Read on - I promise that avoiding these things is easier than you think!
Xo,
Laura
FURNITURE ARM COVERS
Ok, I’m just going to come right out and say it - arm covers for furniture are ugly. Now, don’t get me wrong, I totally understand the practicality of them. After all, there’s no denying they protect your upholstery from daily wear and tear (and as a mom of 2 boys, believe me when I say that I know that is a constant battle). But whenever I see them on furniture, I swear they kill the vibe of the room faster than anything else. If you absolutely insist on them, at the very least I encourage you to remove them whenever you entertain because it’s always best to allow your sofa and chair arms to show off their beautiful features. Plus, if you have arm covers on, the fabric underneath will always stay the same while the rest of the piece eventually fades from sun exposure and use (so you’ll have to use them forever, no matter what).
FAMILY PHOTO OVERLOAD
Listen, I love family photos as much as the next person, but too many of them haphazardly sprinkled throughout a home can instantly make a space feel outdated and mismatched. Instead of trying to display every single photo from the past decade, be choosy with what you feature. Pick your absolute favorite photos of the kids, blow them up and frame them as a statement piece that works seamlessly with your decor. A large and striking photo makes so much more of an impact visually than trying to simultaneously showcase a million vacation photos and mementos. If you truly want to see a variety of photos each day, then choose a handful of images and put them in matching frames together in a single location. By arranging them artfully on a bedroom dresser or a bookcase, it will make them feel cohesive and purposeful.
FORGETTING ABOUT FLORALS
Too often, people overlook the simple beauty and impact that florals or greenery can have on a space. They skip this step of styling, instead opting for more “permanent” decor elements. But, in my opinion, flowers are always the best finishing touch on a space and they don’t have to be tricky or expensive investments at all. Whether you add a fresh bouquet to your dining table each week or you go the longer-lasting faux route with branches in a tall vase, florals are easy decor fill ins that will bring instant life to your home.
PATTERNED TILE EVERYWHERE
Patterned tiles are all the rage in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and more, and they definitely make a statement that is eye-popping. But it’s a trend that you should use with caution, and sparingly at that. If you don’t balance it with solid colors, minimal patterns, and light textures to soften the overall look, it can quickly feel too busy and overdone. The key is to understand the scale of the patterns you intend to use, and to ensure that you don’t have too many large-scale elements competing for the same space together. It can be tough to get the right balance, but it’s worth it all to achieve a calm and inviting end result.
SKIMPING ON LIGHTING
When it comes to lighting, my number one recommendation is to be open to playing with scale. Many homeowners feel nervous about using larger fixtures, instead opting to play it safe and ending up with a light that’s way too small for the space. Most of the time, when you go for a size larger than what you’re usually comfortable with, it’s actually the right size and will help the room feel complete. And since lighting is by far one of the most important elements of your home, both in function and design, a fixture that wows will give your home an upgrade you will absolutely love.