9 common mistakes to avoid when furnishing your home

Original article written by houzz

Do you often wonder why other people's homes are always more beautiful and welcoming than yours? No matter how much time and effort you put into your beloved home, you’re never completely happy. Well, maybe it’s because you have made some of the most basic mistakes when it comes to furnishing. Read on and learn what these mistakes are and how to avoid them.

1. Putting in an even number of pieces

The mistake: It’s a simple principle with big effects. To the human eye, an odd number of objects seems more harmonious than an even number. Therefore, a group of two or four vases is, paradoxically enough, perceived as irregular.

Better like this: Create a composition with three, five or seven objects. If you play with different heights and shapes, the final result will look even better.

Catherine Kwong Design

2. Using ugly bottles of washing-up liquid

The mistake: The kitchen’s looking great, all decorated with flowers and fresh fruit, when suddenly a single bottle of brightly-coloured detergent can ruin the whole atmosphere.

Better like this: You can easily fix this mistake by pouring the washing-up liquid or soap into a nice dispenser or by buying products with pretty packaging. Arranged with a sponge in a small dish, the whole set will immediately take on a new look.

Bemz Design AB

3. Placing all the furniture against the wall

The mistake: The sofa against one wall, a wardrobe against the other and other furniture on the right and left. Most people tend to put all their furniture against the wall, but this often produces a monotonous effect that leaves a lot of space in the middle that you don't know what to do with.

Better like this: Find the centre of the room! With two sofas creating a small living room in the middle, a shelf placed diagonally can become a division (if the size of the room allows it). Even an armchair that is moved slightly away from the wall can be wonderful in small rooms. Contrary to popular belief, not even the bed has to be put up against the wall!

Tapeten und Uhren

4. Doing things by halves

The mistake: Have you ever stood in front of an empty wall and wanted a new painting or tapestry, but you didn't know if it was worth it? Think about the fact that you’re going to live in your home for many years. The same goes for all the temporary furniture you’ve got until you can buy a nicer and expensive version.

Better like this: Fix the house up in good taste and don't worry too much about the effort it’ll take. After all, one day may be enough to paint a room. Also, don't fixate on temporary solutions! Furnishing a home is a long-term investment. Instead of buying the first thing you find, buy the furniture you really like!

5. Forgetting about that “je ne sais quoi”

The mistake: An expensive sofa, beautiful fabrics, special accessories for decoration … it’s all there, but there’s something missing: movement, life!

Better like this: Use light fabrics that move with the wind, plants with large, slightly swaying leaves and a fire in the fireplace. It's the little things that move that make a home come alive.

Hemtrend

6. Neglecting your needs

The mistake: An expensive silk carpet and a velvet sofa, even with children running around the house. That doesn't seem like the best choice. Likewise, a large dining table is not the best choice if there are only two of you at home.

Better like this: When decorating your home, don't forget your needs. Then ask yourself, what do you really need? Sometimes, what is chic can be impractical in everyday life.

editee GmbH

7. Using unpleasant lighting

The mistake: Beautiful lighting has a big effect on the atmosphere of a room; that’s probably nothing new for you. Or is it? Often, you can see rooms illuminated with dazzling lights, which are far from inviting.

Better like this: Create a mood lighting project based on different light sources (table lamps, floor lamps, wall lamps and candles), direct and indirect lighting, which can be used depending on the time of day and the atmosphere we want to create.

Callwey

8. Not giving things time

The mistake: When you move into a new home, you want it to be perfect. However, too much haste and too little free time to devote to decoration can make the house look more like a furniture catalogue rather than a home, impersonal and lacking in character.

Better like this: Take all the time you need. A house grows with age! Choose something here and there, let it inspire you. Join different styles together and, most importantly, create something really personal. A house needs a lot of personality.

9. Hanging curtains that are too short (or too long)

The mistake: Anyone who wants to beautify their home with curtains should be careful to choose a length that is neither too long nor too short, because the size can interfere with the proportions of the room.

Better like this: Before going to the shop to buy curtains, consider how long they should be. Calculate about half a centimetre extra so that the fabric sits well on the floor. If you find some great curtain fabric in the furniture shop, make sure you can undo the seams to fit the height of the room.