Avoid The Top 10 Interior Decorating Mistakes

Homes should highlight balance and order, achieving tranquility. Interior designers highlight the top interior decorating mistakes that homeowners should avoid.

Over-Furnishing - Rooms should be minimally furnished, with just enough furnishings to create a cohesive design that is well planned. Furniture should fill the space, but still be functional. Rooms should have adequate space for flow and movement. If rooms appear cramped, consider moving one piece of furniture to help increase space.

Fit - Furniture must fit spaces or it will appear out of place and awkward. Rooms should feel balanced. When moving in, measure spaces and furniture to help minimize moving time. Many websites offer complimentary room planning software, which allows dimensions to be input and furniture to easily be digitally moved.

Clutter - Homes look best when they're clutter-free. To avoid clutter, save items that matter, discarding or donating unnecessary objects.

Lighting - Spaces should embrace natural lighting. Embracing natural light makes homes feel bright and illuminated. Place wall mirrors across from natural light sources to maximize lighting. Sconces, lamps and mirrors should be proportionally sized to fit rooms.

Paint Colors - Always choose furniture before paint colors. It's much more difficult to match furniture to paint. Consider bringing fabric swatches to paint stores to help narrow down palette options. Paint swatches should be in a home for 24 hours so all lighting elements can be thoroughly evaluated.

Budget - No one needs to buy everything all at once. It's best to be practical and stick to a budget. Homes can be decorated over a period of time, which gives them unique character.

Variety - Purchase furniture, framed mirrors, accessories, rugs and artwork from several stores to help avoid a lack of variety. If everything is purchased at one store, rooms can easily appear one-dimensional, lacking personality.

Windows - Embrace natural light and windows. Never cover windows or hang curtain rods too low. Curtain rods should be placed as close as possible to the ceiling, which creates a sense of loftiness and height. Rods that are too low make ceilings feel claustrophobic.

Furniture Placement - Avoid placing furniture against the walls and instead focus on creating groupings that embrace conversation and flow.

Focal Point - Rooms that lack focal points don't have order or direction, which are two essential components to a flowing room. Opt for a focal point that is bold, large and statement worthy. Whether it's an oversized piece of artwork or a stunning round mirror, focal points help rooms appear balanced and organized, which helps achieve harmonious stability.