Yahoo News 5 Decorating Mistakes Everyone Makes In Their First Home
[Photo: Giphy]
Months of flicking through magazines and watching re-runs of ‘60 Minute Makeover’, can never truly prepare us for the overwhelming task of decorating our first home.
Let’s face it, most of us have slight delusions of grandeur when it comes to our interior designs skills, and those who don’t are probably trying to figure out the difference between a shaggy rug and a pile one.
Learn from these common mistakes and make sure you avoid the pitfalls….
1. Buying all of your furniture at once
We’re not sure whether it’s the excitement of having a new home or just pure recklessness, but if you’ve fallen victim to regrettable impulse buys - probably after trolley dashing the aisles of Ikea - then you’re not the only one.
It might make sense to get everything sorted at once but this is a prime rookie error. It’s much better to furnish the house gradually, that way you can see what works well together and what else you really need.
Trust us, there’s nothing worse than realising the curtains you bought don’t block the sunlight in a sun-facing room, or finding out there’s now no space for that kitsch antique your grandma gave you.
[Photo: Giphy]
2. Thinking you can do it all yourself
No matter how much you try, there’s just some things a YouTube tutorial can’t teach you.
If the task looks like it’s going to be tricky, then it probably will be, so it’s really important to asses the job at hand and know when to bring in professionals.
You may think you’re saving a packet by skimping on a handy-man to fit the carpet, or lay those tiles but doing it yourself could cost you a lot more in the long run.
3. Going over budget
Just because Kim and Kanye have a Rick Owen bed made from marble, doesn’t mean you need one too.
Trying to keep up with the Jones’ and having everything top spec, will cost you dearly.
Sure, that £400 cake mixer from John Lewis would look gorgeous on your countertop if you’re Mary Berry, but it’s just a waste if you only bake once a year, and you definitely shouldn’t splurge on that vintage-style fridge if it means your sofa budget now only stretches to a couple of bean bags.
Make a strict shopping list and budget accordingly to avoid unnecessary overspending.
[Photo: Giphy]
4. Cluttering your walls
You never quite feel as though you’ve fully moved into your new home until you’ve made some kind of semi-permanent mark on the walls, Yes, hanging mirrors, pictures and quirky pop art can add personality to a room but it’s easy to get carried away.
Your eyes need visual resting points when making their way across the room. Too much on every wall is not only distracting but can make a small room look even smaller.
In this case, less is definitely more.
5. Matching EVERYTHING!
Grey is SO in right now, so you’ve got to have bedsheets to match that accent wall, oh and silver cushions to match the grey carpet right? NO.
Matching your furniture is a big faux pas that can easily make your home look dated so try to mix things up if you want your spaces to look modern and fresh.
Woods can be a little tricky as they don’t all go together but don’t let this deter you from experimenting.
It’s best to stick with two types of woodgrain if you’re furnishing a room with heavy decor, but if your room is neutral you can use multiple wood furnishings to add warmth and depth.
With this being said, there are never any concrete rules when it comes to decorating your home because creating a space that you feel comfortable in is what matters.
