Today, many people ignore all of the rules when it comes to decorating, which is all good and fine. Eclectic mixes of those things you truly love not only display your unique personality, they often result in rooms that are appealing, original and inviting. That being said, there are a few decorating mistakes you absolutely want to avoid whenever possible.
Don't create confusion while trying to blend patterns
Solid Bookcase
Today, it is perfectly fine to use plaids, stripes and florals, as long as the colors blend with or enhance the theme of your decor. However, these patterns and prints should be used in small doses, such as in throw pillows and small accent rugs. A plaid sofa decorated with loud striped and floral accents not only looks chaotic, it looks - well, like a mess. Either keep your furnishings a solid color and add accents containing patterns, or vice versa.
Don't try to create space by jamming furniture against the walls
This is a decorating mistake that many people innocently make, especially when trying to make a room look more spacious. To create an enchanting, beautiful room, arrange furnishings away from the walls, in a more intimate pattern. You might consider placing a love seat, chairs and coffee table around a large area rug to create a cozy, more inviting atmosphere.
A sofa looks beautiful when moved out from the wall just a bit, while a sofa table set behind it displays the soft light of an accent lamp along with beautiful candles attractively.
Avoid displaying all of your collectibles at once
This is especially true if you collect many things. Some people collect miniature tea pots or porcelain dolls, while other collect salt and pepper shakers, ceramic bells or miniature figurines. If you have many different collections, display only one or two at a time. Keep the others stored away, and rotate them occasionally to give the room a fresh look.
Know the rule "hang all wall art at eye level?" - break it
What really is eye level? After all, people are different heights. To make your walls look beautiful without making them look too uniform, vary the height at which you hang artwork, mirrors and other accents. You certainly don't want to hang a picture up at the ceiling, but varying the heights by about 4 to 6 inches will create an interesting and appealing look. Also, use various shapes and sizes when accenting your walls, so that everything doesn't look the same size.
These are some of the most common decorating mistakes people make. Frequently, when decorating, you may decide to use a picture or accent simply because it matches the decor, not because you like it. If you really don't like the accessory or artwork, don't use it! The smartest thing you can do is to use those things you really love, those that have true meaning.
Remember these tips when decorating your home, and avoid making those common decorating mistakes that distract from how beautiful your home really is.