How to Avoid Common Decorating Mistakes

If you love decorating and want to create a well-designed room, here are some common decorating mistakes you will want to avoid.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. 1. No focal point. Every room needs a focal point, or center of attention, to arrange all the furniture around. When you walk into a room, the focal point should be very obvious and highlighted. For example, in a living room an obvious focus could be a fireplace or a large entertainment center. Arrange all your furniture around that center for a pleasing arrangement.
2. 2. White walls. I know that some people are very partial to their white walls, but having no color on walls makes the room very hard to decorate because no matter what you do, it will seem cold and uninviting. Paint your walls beautiful colors to bring out the colors of the woodwork, artwork, or furniture pieces. You will be surprised what a difference it makes in the feeling of your room.
3. 3.Hanging pictures too high. This is a big one with my husband and me. Pictures should always be hung at eye level. Many people have a tendency to hang pictures too high, which makes them appear out of place and not related to the objects below them. Hang your pictures at the appropriate height, and you will be amazed how much better they relate to the overall "picture."
4. 4. Poor lighting. You can have a beautifully decorated room, but if the lighting is not done well, the room will not be a true success. Use all different kinds of lights ranging from floor uplights to candlelight. Remember to light objects in your room, such as arrangements on your mantel for a real decorator look.
5. 5. Furniture up against the walls. This is a big one that is seen particularly in living rooms. There is often a tendency to back all the furniture up against the four walls in a room which results in a "bowling alley" effect. Bring your furniture away from the walls and into the middle of the room around your focal point for a more pleasing arrangement.