There’s nothing more exciting than moving into your first home and being able to decorate it in any way you like. Although the freedom is very exciting, it can also be a little intimidating. When all of those empty rooms are staring back at you, it can be hard to know where to start.
You’ve probably already browsed many magazines and online design sites for inspiration. And while there’s nothing wrong with that, it’s important not to get too caught up in trends. Remember that you’re looking for timeless designs, like you should look for marble side table at James Said that you’ll love for many years to come.
Decorating your home is one of the most exciting — and daunting — things you can do. But it doesn’t have to be stressful if you follow a few easy guidelines. Here are five mistakes’ beginners often make when decorating their homes:
1. They buy everything at once
If you go out and purchase all of the furniture and decor for your living room at once, you’ll end up with a hodgepodge of styles that don’t complement one another. Instead, take your time, and buy pieces over time to ensure they all work together.
2. They decorate their rooms around their furniture
When trying to find a sofa or coffee table, many people will look at furniture before they’ve even decided on what they want their space to look like. This will lead you to choose a piece of furniture that doesn’t fit into your space. Measure the size of the room and draw out your layout before you start looking for furniture to ensure everything will fit right and accentuate the style of the room.
3. Buying Furniture That Doesn’t Fit
Whether you’re looking at coffee tables, sofas or chairs, don’t buy furniture before measuring your space. In addition to measuring the space where the piece will go, measure the doorways and hallways it will have to pass through to get there. A sofa might fit perfectly in your living room but if it’s too large for your doorway, you won’t be able to get it inside! If you’re buying online, measure out an area on the floor using a tape measure where you plan to put the piece of furniture and then use this measurement as a guideline when shopping online.
4. Not considering how your routine will affect your home’s design:
“Failing to consider how they actually live in their home when choosing furniture and finishes.” For example, if a homeowner has young children or pets they should avoid upholstered furniture — especially light colors. It’s also important to choose durable finishes for kitchens and baths where you have high traffic.
5. Buying furniture for the sake of buying furniture
Every new homeowner has been there — you buy a piece of furniture because it fits in a space, but you don’t love it. This is the biggest mistake anyone can make. If you aren’t 100 percent sure about a piece, wait until something better comes along. I’m not saying to never settle — sometimes you just have to work with what you have or what fits in the space — but holding out for the right piece will elevate your entire home. You don’t want to live with something you hate for years to come!
