Mistakes and How to Avoid them for your Interior Decor

Posted by admin on October 14, 2010 Design Inspiration

The mistakes and how to avoid them for your Interior Decor, these are just some of the most common interior decorating mistakes that most people make.

- Protect Your Furniture With Slipcovers
Slipcovers are wonderful for covering up worn fabric or patterns on fabric that are out of style or don’t go with your decor.But any slipcover should be decorative and add to the piece, not distract from it. The worst of the worst are clear vinyl slipcovers. You might be tempted to choose one to protect the beautiful silk fabric on your furniture. But they just look awful. There’s no question about it and you should avoid them at all costs.

If you must cover a piece of furniture, choose a slipcover in a color that resembles the upholstery you’re covering. Hopefully it will blend with the space and no one will really notice. Remove the cover whenever you have guests and replace it for everyday activity.

- Hang All Your Artwork and Mirrors at the Same Height
You’ve probably heard the rule about hanging art at eye level. That’s all well and good, but people’s eyes are not at the same height. Think about it: a 6-foot person’s eyes are higher than those of someone sitting on a chair.

Please read previous post about How High to Hang Art that will guide you through the process of deciding where to hang pictures and mirrors so that they create a focal point on a wall and enhance the space instead of detract from it.

- Use 100 Watt Bulbs in All Your Lamps and Light Fixtures
Of course you’ll want to have a good light for reading, but the other lights in your room should be selected for specific tasks or to create a mood.

Choose your lighting to match the function of the space. For the kitchen, you might want recessed lights or a small lamp in the corner of a counter. You’ll need a good lamp over your desk and maybe track lights over your computer and work space.

For total light control, install dimmers on all your wall light switches and on lamp cords.

- Choose Dining Room Chairs to Look Good, Not for Comfort
Not! A dining room is a place for people to gather, visit, and enjoy each other’s company. The dining chairs should fit comfortably around the table. But the most important thing they should be is inviting, giving guests no reason to get up and move out. Create a welcoming room and your dinner will be a time to remember.

- Use Too Many Patterns and Prints
Don’t pick up just any fabric or piece of furniture you like, thinking you can work around it. Plan your color scheme, select a main pattern, then find coordinating stripes, small prints, and plaids that enhance your choice.

- Follow the Rule of 3: Select one main pattern, usually a large print
Then find one small, coordinating print and one stripe or plaid. Then call it quits. If you need another fabric, think about using a solid-colored texture or interesting weave instead of another pattern or print.

Some, in fact most, rules are made to be broken. Choose the rules you’ll follow wisely. The things listed here are absolutely not to be done.

Hang All Your Artwork and Mirrors at the Same Height

Use 100 Watt Bulbs in All Your Lamps and Light Fixtures

Choose Dining Room Chairs to Look Good, Not for Comfort

Protect Your Furniture With Slipcovers

Use Too Many Patterns and Prints

Select one main pattern, usually a large print