A very dear friend once gave me some great advice (he knows who he is). I had just moved into my new house and I was all starry-eyed and dying to fill it up with anything and everything to make it "pretty." He told me to take my time. He said to sleep on it because if I rushed I would regret it and I would end up having to redecorate all over again later.
And did I listen? Of course not! I was too excited and hardheaded! I knew exactly what I wanted (or so I thought). And you know what? It turned out he was right! Five years later I ended up totally redoing everything.
So, as I reflect back upon that unused advice ($$$$), here are, in my opinion, the top three design mistakes homeowners (and even some pros) make when decorating their homes...
design mistake number one
Don't don't don't run out to the nearest Big Box Home Design store and fill up your house with just anything and everything! You need some time to live in your space for awhile and determine what your actual needs will be. That room you originally thought would be perfect for the dining room may turn out to work out best for you as your home office. That perfect little reading nook? Nope! It's the perfect place for the dog beds - or the bar cart, or your signed, limited edition Star Wars Laserdisc collection (nerd!).
This takes patience and discipline. Lots and lots of it. And it might be really difficult to leave things feeling unfinished for a bit but it will be worth it. Trust me.
design mistake number two
Curate, curate, curate! Don't buy everything from the same place! Sure it's easy and tempting just to get it all done, but unless you want your home to look like an El Dorado showroom (or worse!) just resist this temptation. You want your home to be a curated reflection of you and your personality. Take the time to acquire items with actual meaning and value. Choose decor and objets d'art that say something about you and what makes you tick - beautiful pieces that speak to your soul everytime you walk by them. Maybe it's a carving from your recent trip to Bali or a painting from that hole in the wall antique shop you discovered in Savannah. Or maybe it's just a unique, vintage find at your local Salvation Army. You get the idea.
Being a discerning collector will not only make your home more beautiful, interesting and meaningful but it will definitely NOT look like the neighbor's place next door. Or any other home for that matter. It will be uniquely yours.
design mistake number three
Edit, edit, edit. What do I mean by that? I mean really, really take a look at the situation that you have going on right now. Is it too busy? Is everything purposeful and representative of you and your vibe? Even if it's curated, is there too much? I have been in many ( too many!) homes where the homeowner felt it was necessary to fill every little nook and cranny with some kind of art, decor, or tchotchke because they were fearful of the negative space (that space not filled valuable collectibles). Well, I am here to tell you, negative space can be a very good thing! Don't be fearful! (Especially if you have learned anything from the first two mistakes). You can have too much of a good thing! Negative space imparts weight, focus, and importance upon the collection, artwork, or decor that you have (carefully) chosen.
And....
totally unexpected bonus design mistake number four! (four, four four)
Always measure your space and the furniture in the store! Never eyeball it. The furniture always looks smaller in the showroom than it will in your home.
Do you have any design mistakes you would like to share? Post your comments below. We would love to hear about them.
