Knowing Which Interior Design Faux Pas to Avoid

We have all had the experience of going to the house of a family member or colleague that is nice but bland and cold. Within our own private homes, we all know what we want and what we don’t want when it comes to interior design. Unfortunately, many of us fall well short when it comes to combining function, form and warmth.

There are many reasons why even a meticulously laid out interior design plan can end badly and result in a room or an entire house that is austere; lacking warmth and character. If you understand the potential pitfalls beforehand, you can use your new knowledge to ensure your newly decorated house is overflowing with function, character and a family home you will be proud to entertain family and friends.

Using Color in your Home

The biggest error that beginning decorators make that ends in a cold space is selecting inappropriate colors, or leaving color out of your plan altogether. When you move into a new home, the walls are white because they are neutral which offers the potential buyer to see themselves living in the property. Neutral builders paint is also the most economical choice for homebuilders. It is not meant to remain in your new home long term.

You must use caution with the ‘shades’ of white that you pick for your space (and yes, there are hundreds of shades of white). There are warm tones and cool tones. Warmer white tones can make a home look homey (think cozy cottage) and cool tones make a room look cold and uninviting. White tones should be used sparingly.

Warm paint colors are perfect to improve the comfort level in a space and add energy and personality. Which colors you select will highly depend on your unique preferences, your home furnishings and decorating accessories and the level of natural light that the space gets. A home with restricted natural light is better suited for lighter shades that will absorb whatever natural light does fill the room and bounce it around the room. A space with plenty of windows, skylights and other sources of natural light can manage deeper, darker and richer paint colors such as eggplant, mustard, midnight blue and merlot red.

Furniture

Without question, your furnishings and accessories are the ’eye candy’ for your home. These pieces set the tone and personality for the room, from contemporary or Mediterranean to traditional or Georgian. Choosing furniture that work seamlessly with your space is important. For example, Georgian or other antique pieces that are fussy and excessively upholstered can stand out awkwardly in an ultra modern loft. The same can be said for attempting to make Knolls style pieces work in an Arts and Crafts traditional bungalow.

If you want to turn your place from house to home, search for pieces that you love and be certain they work well within the room they are being placed. Don’t be afraid to mix and match; eclectic furniture arrangements often result in a inviting and energetic setting that you, your family and guests will love spending time.

Don’t Forget Scale

The first rule to remember: everything seems smaller in a retail outlet or furniture store. When you get it to your home, that nine foot couch and love seat may dominate your space and look obviously out of place. Before you begin your interior design project, get to know your home and the rooms you are redecorating. Take correct measurements of the entire space including length, width and ceiling height. Areas with low ceiling height (such as a lower level room) need smaller furniture than a living room that may have high 15 foot ceilings.

If you have furnishings in the space now, measure it and jot everything down. Then really consider what you have now and decide if the scale (the size of the furniture compared to the size of the space) is too small, too big or just right. This will assist you tremendously when you go off buy new furniture.

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Architectural Wood Designs a is an ecommerce store specializing in hand carved wooden components for home.