Fix These Four Common Decorating Mistakes

Everyone tries to give their home at least a little bit of style by adding some decorating flair, but simple mistakes can easily overshadow an otherwise well-put-together room. Often, it can be hard to put your finger on what exactly the issue is with the design of a space, but most people understandably aren't going to hire a professional interior designer to come in and critique their living room. This is where home renovation website Houzz comes in; Houzz recently wrote about some of the most common mistakes that are made by people when decorating their home and suggested simple ways to fix them. In this post, I've highlighted four mistakes that are among the easiest to identify and correct.

Mistake #1: Piles of pillows

Have you ever walked into someone else's living room, only to realize that every seat was already occupied by a decorative pillow? This is a surprisingly common issue, although it's easy to understand how it happens. As with all things, we tend not to notice changes that have built up over time, which means that you might not realize that your pillow collection has grown out of control. We also tend to always sit in the same spots in our homes, making it easy to "store" pillows on seats only used by guests. Luckily, the solution is simple: pare down that pillow collection. Limit yourself to two on the couch and one or none on large armchairs.

Mistake #2: High-hanging art

Hanging up a few pieces of art is a great way to add style to an otherwise boring expanse of wall; however, people often hang art too high, thinking it must be well above the tops of any furniture. Instead, art should typically be hung at roughly standing eye level (or lower if it is to be viewed while seated).

Mistake #3: Overcrowded shelves

Much like with pillows, people often feel the need to display their ever-growing collection of bric-a-brac and knick-knacks, and the obvious place to do so is on shelves. Houzz recommends a Marie Kondo approach to these items, which means that you should let an item go unless it still "sparks joy" when you hold it. In all honesty, Marie's system works great for organizing many things, including photos, clothes, art, and more. Give it a try.

Mistake #4: Clinically white

An all-white kitchen can look clean, stylish, and sophisticated, but it can also look cold and hospital-like. To avoid this issue, be sure to place at least one splash of warm color into the space. Adding a fruit bowl, hanging high-quality pans, or displaying artwork can accomplish this goal. Although this mistake usually applies to kitchens, it can also creep into bathrooms.

By addressing these four simple mistakes, you can quickly and easily improve your home's interior design. To read more about this topic, check out this article on Houzz.com.