Own Space Interiors -Luxury Interior Design Algarve, Portugal

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Avoid These 6 Common Interior Design Mistakes

Ready to transform your home into a functional and beautiful space? Whether you're planning a complete home renovation or a simple styling update, this blog post will uncover common mistakes and guide you on how to avoid them. Grab a notebook, and let's get started!

Mistake 1: Skipping Space Planning

Before starting to design an interior design project, we must know the space we have. Knowing the total dimensions (length, width, and height) is the first step to being able to plan a space-planning is crucial for a successful interior design project.

To organize your ideas:

  • Begin by understanding the dimensions of your space.

  • Consider the activities and people sharing the area.

  • Gather inspiration from magazines, websites, and stores, focusing on materials, finishes, furniture, and textiles.

  • Experiment with color palettes and textures.

  • Visit stores for hands-on material and furniture exploration.

Mistake 2: Ignoring Your Budget

Determine your investment before starting your project. Why?

  1. It guides your choices for furniture brands, materials, and finishes.

  2. Minimizes surprises during the project.

  3. Ensures the space size matches your budget.

Opt for quality products to make your investment worthwhile. Economizing on furniture and finishes might cost you more in the long run.

Mistake 3: Blindly Following Trends

While inspiration is essential to start with your project, avoid replicating spaces without considering your needs and tastes. If you love a bathroom's design, ask yourself why and analyze its elements. Perhaps you're drawn to the mix of finishes—use that as inspiration.

Try to add a personal touch to your project, if we continue with the bathroom example: think about adding a mirror from an antique store that catches your eye, or maybe a wallpaper that reminds you of something personal. There are endless options you can add to make it special.

❌ Mistake 4: Neglecting Material and Color Testing

Another big mistake in interior design is to choose wall paint before deciding on furniture and fabrics. Colors relatively work in the space, that is to say, a color can look different after placing the furniture, fabrics, and other materials in the space.

To avoid this mistake, ask for samples of materials, fabrics, and paint. Test them in your space with different lighting to see how they look together, as lighting is also important. I'll explain more about that next.

Mistake 5: Leaving Lighting as an Afterthought

Don't underestimate the power of proper lighting! It sets the mood, showcases your design choices, and enhances functionality.

If renovating, work with your designer on electrical placements and fixtures. Enhance ceiling lights with additional lamps for a balanced lighting plan.

There are three types of lighting to use in a space: general, functional, and ambient. Ensure the lamp's materials match the project's overall design.


Mistake 6: Ignoring Scale and Proportion

Many spaces have scale and proportion mistakes, like using large furniture in small rooms or small rugs with big furniture.

To avoid these mistakes, you can:

  • Check the dimensions you have in the space to make sure that the furniture selected will be in the right scale and proportion of the space.

  • Use masking tape to outline the size of furniture and rugs on the floor. This helps avoid mistakes and ensures a perfect fit.

  • When arranging furniture, remember to leave space between pieces. This will prevent visual clutter and create a more balanced room.

Thank you for coming this far 😊 We hope this guide helps you avoid common interior design mistakes in your project. Please share your experiences in the comments!

See you in the next Blog Post! 👋

Paola.