Almost four years ago, I wrote a post about decorating mistakes to avoid and it is worthwhile to update! When visiting new clients, I often see decorating mistakes that are easy to correct or could have been avoided entirely.
Probably, the most common one is:
Hanging artwork too high.
The center or the art should be about eye level (57″ to 60″ from the floor). Also, it should relate to whatever furniture it is placed above like the console below
Or the chair rail here…
Too many small things, AKA clutter.
Like here in a before photo (yikes!)…
See the after here.
If you do have several small things, consider grouping them on a tray or small shelves like here…
Too small area rugs
Make sure at least the front feet of the furniture are on the rug like we did here.
Buying a Sectional Sofa (if it’s not for the long haul).
I have clients who purchased a sectional just before buying their first home. It’s oriented with the chaise on the left…and can’t be separated or switched around. Due to the living room floor plan and door openings…it blocks entry into the room. You are safer buying a sofa if you plan to move.
Hanging your dining room chandelier too high.
It should be about 30 to 34″ above your table in an 8′ high ceiling room.
Rooms with taller ceilings can go further off the table. I really like to “eyeball” it.
Too Firm Accent Pillows
Indulge yourself with down or down alternative inserts (not stiff foam unless it’s outdoors). For plump pillows, order the inserts two to four inches larger than the cover like with mine. You can sink into these.
Not Testing Paint Colors
Recently, I recommended a warm white that I’ve used before (BM White Drifts) for a client’s living room. It came out really green in part of the room. The lighting is different in every room and really affects the saturation. We ended up with BM Classic Gray below but you really need to test it in different corners of the room.
Furniture that is not pulled into the conversation or no space for “flow.”
Here, even in a large room, it’s possible to feel a part of the group…and still walk around.
This makes number nine but I think it’s important…
Lack of Personal elements or history
You don’t want your space to look like a hotel room. Gather things with meaning like:
Books of places you’ve traveled, photographs, family hand-me-downs/heirlooms, collections (for example, our daughter is collecting vintage globes). What interests you? It will make your home unique to you.
We just finished watching the first season of “Jack Ryan” on Amazon Prime. It’s somewhat violent but great!!! Can’t wait for the next season. Do you have any good television suggestions?
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Mary Ann
Such great tips….thank you for posting!! 2 things I gleamed……
Putting furniture on the rug…..I know, don’t even say!
Pictures should relate to the piece they are hanging above.
So helpful!
Thank you for this informative post, especially about paint showing up different than you thought. A very costly mistake. All suggestions make so much sense. What if you have all your antiques in your big room and the kids want them but not until you pass – and we would like less clutter NOW? Options and decisions keep me baffled. JudyCinNC
That’s a tough one. My mom gave a couple of her antiques and she is still alive. I’ve already given our kids some of our antiques (they are aged 30 and 25)…I think they should take some of your things now so you can enjoy them in their homes!
Thanks for the tips! I’m with Elizabeth about the art hanging too high. Although I am guilty of too much on my shelves. I always have to tell myself edit, edit, edit. Have you seen Killing Eve yet? It stars Sandra Oh and is set in the UK and Europe. If you like thrillers–this is a good one!
Thanks, Cindy…we did watch Killing Eve…it’s good. Now we are watching Happy Valley…that another reader recommended. BBC also.
This is very informative, thank you – testing paint colors, YES!! I always make multiple large (poster board) samples for clients, and hang them on different walls, and we look at them over the course of a week (different light – day, evening, night, lights on/lights off, different weather etc .) before making the decision. It’s amazing how a color will look fine on a sunny day, but dull and lifeless on a rainy day, or too pink at dusk, etc. Oh, and the sectional – ask me how I know???
You are so smart about the paint testing!
Thanks for educating all of us:) And wasn’t Jack Ryan good! I am patiently waiting for The Marvelous Mrs Maisel!!!
Always love your design tips. I think my #1 pet peeve is hanging pictures too high, but all the mistakes you’ve listed are right on!
Such great reminders. I’m forever editing and it always feels good to see a little less…less is more!
Thanks for this.
Karen
All very good points and advice.. completely doable for any homeowner. 👍😊
Heaven knows I’m not arguing with you, but can you give some examples of storing a lot of books? I have a tv unit (white) with shelves and I use most of it for books! Ive got to put them hem somewhere!
What if you turn them with the pages facing out, so you only see white or shades of? I know this makes it hard to find a book but it does look less cluttered. In my office, I lay some flat and add decorative pieces. I also leave room at the end of a shelf for a little something. In front I’ve hung a small painting. It breaks up the books and adds interest to an otherwise boring look. I also went through all my books and donated many, keeping only ones I would want to reread or lend out. This let me style my shelves for a cleaner look.
Sounds lovely, Joanna!
love your lists! keep them coming. I’m so late to the streaming game but did recently start netflix…watched house of cards and now ozark but adding jack ryan next! thanks for the tips 😉
I think the second season of Ozark is out now? We watched the first. Thanks for the reminder!
Really love your blog – so much good information along with beautiful pics to drool over.
As far as series: also violent, but have you seen “Ozark”. A really funny one, but takes and episode or two to ‘get into it’ -“Schitt’s Creek”. Some of the British series are favorites of mine: Doc Martin, Call the Midwife, – how about a British mystery – Broadchurch (loved it !) or Happy Valley – both really great mysteries. Sounds like I maybe watching too much telly…..
I think we have the same tastes, Patricia, as we have watched the same shows. But I have to add Happy Valley. Thank you!
Thanks for this. I need to re-hang some art this weekend! Also, I wish I had seen this six years ago when we bought a sectional sofa that’s not quite right in our new apartment!
So many great tips. My pet peeve is hanging art too high and art that is too small for the space.