Design Mistakes

You may love all of the individual elements in a room, like a vintage armchair or a nice framed print, but together … they don’t look quite right. If you are having trouble making it work, you are not alone. Our designers have identified six common design flaws and come up with solutions that will turn your room into amazing from “eh”.

Problem # 1: The room is poorly lit.

THE ERROR: They use only one light source, which makes the room feel cold and unfinished.

THE SOLUTION: The lighting is a simple upgrade that has a profound effect on the entire space. By superimposing light sources, you can create different atmospheres during the day and in the evening. By varying the lighting, the eye stays on different levels in the room. A vintage-inspired or reproduced pendant light is a great way to add personality and ambience, while work lighting, like a reading lamp next to an armchair, is great for the evening. Wall lights are often overlooked, but their soft light makes the dress elegant.

Problem # 2: The color doesn’t match the rest of the room

THE ERROR: You picked the color before deciding on a color palette and buying furniture.

THE SOLUTION: Use inspiration pictures to discover your ideal color combinations. When you’ve refined your color palette, go for upholstery and fabric. Choose an area rug that will match your upholstery and help ground the room. Next, choose window treatments to tie the furniture and carpet together. Then look for furniture like coffee tables and bookshelves and decide on the execution. Wood and brass work well for a warm pallet, while nickel and stainless steel are perfect for cool pallets. Finally, choose a paint color that brings all the elements together and harmonizes the space.

Problem # 3: The artwork is hung incorrectly

THE ERROR: They hung art either too high or too low and not by scale.

THE SOLUTION: Hang the center of the work of art at eye level, about 30 to 40 cm above the floor, depending on your height. When you hang something over furniture, e.g. For example, a console, sideboard, or sofa, the bottom of the artwork should be six to eight inches above the edge of the piece.

A gallery wall can make a small room feel bigger. Create a template by cutting butcher paper the size of each frame and sticking it on the wall. Make sure that the space between the frames is no more than two inches to preserve the overall composition. That way, you can decide on a layout you like before breaking out the hammer and nails.

Problem # 4: The carpet is the wrong size

THE ERROR: You bought the rug in front of the furniture or before you measured the floor plan.

THE SOLUTION: Before buying an area rug, find out about the dimensions of your furniture and the layout and size of your seating area. Ideally, a rug goes with all of your furniture. However, if a rug this size is too expensive, the furniture legs can sit halfway up and halfway down (but be consistent). For a smaller space, float the carpet in front of all furniture. In a large room, there should be six to nine inches between the edge of the rug and the edge of the room. Regardless of the size you choose, put a thick carpet cushion underneath so that the edges don’t curl up.

Problem # 5: The scale and proportions of the furniture are incorrect

THE ERROR: You bought furniture that is too big or too small for the room, or you haven’t varied the size and shape of the pieces.

THE SOLUTION: When choosing furniture, consider the size of the room. Using duct tape, outline the parts on the floor to determine the space each element will take up. If you already own a large piece of furniture, make it your focal point and build the rest of the space around it. Too many small things in a room make it feel cluttered, while too many large items make a room look cluttered and small. The perfect room has a combination of different heights, sizes and shapes.

Problem # 6: Your space is crowded and disorganized

THE ERROR: You haven’t invested in items to store the things you want to hide and to display the items you want to show.

THE SOLUTION: Less is more when it comes to organizing and displaying your content. Put heirlooms, memorabilia and your most precious pieces on bookcases and étagères, or style them on your coffee table. For everything else, try installing inexpensive wardrobes as an inexpensive storage solution. Customize with color, wallpaper, and hardware to incorporate into your design.