By: Emily Bosman
Throughout design history, there have been masterpieces and some rooms that just didn’t quite hit their mark. The reason: 3 common design mistakes.
1) No Sense of Scale
The first major mistake is scale. Lighting, for example, is one of the most common. While oversized pendants over an island are on trend, it’s a miss to crowd the space between them.
My advice: sketch it. Graph paper is amazing for helping you to determine the right dimensions and size of items. Just draw a rectangle for your island size and draw two boxes that are the length and width of your pendants. Most people are visual, so this is a great way to see if you like the look. A good rule of thumb is to have 18”-20” minimum between pendants which can help determine how many you’ll need.
2) Uncoordinated Colors
Another common mistake is selecting the wrong paint color. I have walked into beautiful gray/white/black homes only to see that they picked a peach paint color that does not go with their selections. As consultants, we try to give the best advice on paint color based on hue and experience, but advice is not always heeded. Use your consultant/designer as a tool. They have seen the good, the bad and, unfortunately, the ugly when it comes to color.
When picking your overall home color go with something fresh and neutral. For your dining room or master bedroom, I say go for the drama! A darker color on the walls really makes these rooms pop. A warmer color in the master bedroom also makes it feel more welcoming and calming. Remember, color fatigue is real — if there is a blue paint color you simply must have, save it for a bonus room or a room you are not in all the time. In addition, ceilings are also a great way to bring in color. Just don’t stress too much; the great thing about paint is that you can always repaint.
3) Mismatched Priorities
The principles of design are Balance, Scale, Rhythm/Repetition, Harmony/Unity and Proportion. Following these principles will ensure the design feels and looks complete. All too often we see items just thrown into a room and wonder why the space doesn’t flow. Basically, your cabinets should complement your countertops, your countertops should complement your flooring, and so on. Many interpret this to mean that everything should be matchy-matchy – that’s not what we want. When used properly, the principles of design can take any space from lawless to flawless and create a truly personalized home that is balanced.
There are many mistakes that can be made in Interior Design. Ashton Woods has a great tool to prevent these issues — your design consultant. Make friends with your design consultant and use them as a resource! We love helping you personalize your home.
