For some people, decorating comes naturally. They just instinctively understand how to pair patterns, arrange accessories and artfully drape just the right throw in just the right way. It all comes together for the kind of style that looks effortless. Try to replicate it, and you’ll quickly find that it’s harder than it looks! The good news is that it’s not too difficult to learn basic principles that make decorating much easier—with much better results. Let’s start with what not to do. Here are four all-too-common home decor mistakes, plus tips on how to fix them.
You Don’t Factor For Scale
One of the biggest hurdles to cohesion in a space is nailing scale and proportion. Furniture pieces that are too big for a room will overwhelm it, making it feel cramped and off-putting. The same is true if you hang a tiny piece of art on a huge wall. On the flipside, furniture that’s too small in a room with grand proportions can mess with the sense of balance and throw off visual cohesion. Small accessories in a big space, meanwhile, tend to get lost. And it’s common to try to fix this mistake with another one—adding more accessories that are simply too small. The unintended effect? Clutter, even in a big room.
Fix it: Think about proportion from the very beginning. Nailing scale and proportion for all the pieces in your space makes everything feel intentional, connected and functional.
You Focus On Individual Spaces Only
Another common trap people fall into is focusing on decor room by room. That means you can end up with different themes in different rooms, which creates a disjointed effect. Your home’s aesthetic should be harmonious, with the same style reflected throughout.
Fix it: You can still tackle rooms one at a time, but make a point of visualizing your entire home. As you choose pieces, consider how they add—or detract—from the style you’ve chosen. If a particular piece doesn’t align with your aesthetic, consider it a sign to sell or donate it.
Your Forget to Make It Personal
Model homes are inspiring for a reason—they lack personality, so you can picture yourself moving right in. But your home shouldn’t feel impersonal, and it’s easy to fall into that trap if you’re shopping at big box stores. That runs the risk of creating a home that feels sterile and lacking in character. It may look polished, but it feels like something is missing.
Fix it: Think about how to add personal details to your home. Work in a handful (up to three) unique items in each room that tell your story. Maybe it’s a beautiful platter from your trip to Portugal, a stunning piece of art that makes you smile every time you see it, or a collection of family prints, beautifully matted and framed.
You Go Too Heavy (Or Too Light) On Accessories
We love accessories here at Third & Main, but we understand that balance is key. Too many accessories feel cluttered and overdone. Too few accessories, and rooms tend to feel unfinished and even boring. Walls, floors and windows all benefit from finishing touches as well, and they help set the groundwork for your home’s style.
Fix it: Don’t toss a few candlesticks up on the mantle and call it good. Take a good long look at your home and consider where finishing touches might really pull things together. A well-placed rug, a coat of paint, a great mirror or some beautiful draperies give a home a sense of thoughtful intention. Then you can add in the fun stuff—a few great accessories for color, texture and depth.
The Takeaway
Basic design principles can be an incredibly useful rudder when you’re decorating your home, steering you away from decisions that make things feel disjointed and lacking. Factoring for scale, visualizing your entire home, making it personal and balancing decor items for those beautiful finishing touches all go a long way. Give it a try and see how it works!