Your home is important. It’s the place where you eat, sleep, and cut your toenails - sometimes all at the same time (did I ever tell you about my ex housemate??) Basically, it’s the place you’re going to be spending an awful lot of time in, so you need to make sure you decorate it right.

Unfortunately, even a few small mistakes can spell disaster. So to make sure you get the most from your interior, here are five common interior design mistakes that you should avoid like the plague:

Using Only One Lighting Source

Lighting is the biggest asset your room has, so make sure you make the most of it. By layering up floor lamps, desk lamps and overhead lights, you can accent your interior the way you want, drawing attention to and hiding features as you feel appropriate. Try and include at least 3 types of different sources that not only add atmosphere, but also add to the function of that room, whether it be sleeping, reading or entertaining.

Unsociable Furniture Placement

You’d be surprised about the amount of people who make this common interior design mistake and simply push all their furniture against the wall. Not only are you not making proper use of your room’s space, but with all your furniture pushed apart, you’re not creating the most social of environments. Furniture should be grouped together in clusters not only to allow for easy navigation of a room, but also to create a more intimate space that will aid communication with friends and guests.

No Focal Point

You can have the world’s best living room, but without a focal point your guests are going to find it underwhelming and lacking focus. The right focal point will add balance to your interior that will be evident as soon as you enter the room. Try experimenting by dressing up your wall with a large piece of wall art, or better yet install a fireplace with a well decorated mantel. Don't be afraid to be creative - for example a fireplace in the bedroom isn't exactly the norm, but in the bottom-left interior from Emmas Blogg, it directs attention away from the bed, turning the sleeping space into a cozy little nook.

   

Too Much/Not Enough Variety

Plenty of people are guilty of both of these crimes. People with too much colour and texture in their homes often end up with a messy, uncoordinated space that is not conducive to relaxation. Those who stick rigidly to a set palate however soon find it monotonous and dull. Remember that everything needs to coordinate, but not necessarily match, so never buy all your furniture from the same place. Spice up your interior by picking up on shades and highlights in your cushions and wall art, but never do so to the point that your interior feels too noisy.

Too Much Clutter

We all love stuff. Thing is, when your stuff starts to get in the way, problems start. Look at your room’s furniture and eliminate anything that isn’t absolutely essential.  Invest in multifunctional furniture such as beds with hidden draws and coffee tables with extra storage space to be rid of these cluttering knickknacks. Look at the beautiful interior below from My paradissa, that although petite, makes great use of storage, placement and colour to get every ounce of worth from its space.

  


Image Credits: Image 1 - Flickr, Image 2 -  Tom Raffield, Image 2 - Emmas Blogg, Iamge 4 - Decor8, Image 5 & 6 - My Paradissi