Top 10 Common Interior Design Mistakes

When it comes to interior design, like many other things it is as important to know what not to do as it is to know what to do. With this in mind, we will look at ten mistakes that you don't want to make when tackling an interior design project.

1) Furniture size and room size. It is a common error to out large pieces of furniture in rooms or spaces which are too small for them. It overwhelms the room or space and makes it seem cramped or smaller than it really is, which for most people is the opposite of the effect they want to achieve.

2) Too Much Stuff. If you like to keep items, at least keep them out of sight if you have a lot of them. Too many things lying around will give a disorganized and messy look to your abode. Think Zen rather than flea market and you'll be on the right track.

3) Cheap and Nasty. You don't have to spend a fortune on your interior, but if you buy things which look worn out, it will reflect onto the room in general and give it a worn-out appearance. Make sure that whatever you have in your room or home is, at the very least, clean and in good working order.

4) Know where you're going. Many people get enthusiastic about their project without looking ahead and then find themselves stranded halfway, out of ideas. Have a vision of what you're going to do from the first step to the last, and then you should be able to make smooth progress.

5) Money, Money, Money. Don't let your imagination overpower your bank balance. It's nice to visualize your home once you've finished it, but make sure it's not going to bankrupt you. Keep your plans in line with your estimated budget and if you think you're going too far, pull back and look again.

6) Color co-ordination. A very important aspect of interior design. If you don't know about it, find out. Read about it, ask experts about it, make yourself an expert or, at the least, well-informed. A bad color scheme can wreck an otherwise excellent idea.

7) What am I looking at? If your home, room, or living space doesn't have something which immediately catches the eye - also known as a focal point - there's something not quite right. Think about what you want people to see and the impression you want to make, and work from that.

8) Maintenance, man! If you're going to use a lot of carpet or glass, know that you'll be spending time keeping them looking their best. If you're not prepared to put in the time, then your ideal display will soon look shabby.

9) Chiaroscuro (oooh!). Not only is it a good word to throw around at cocktail parties, it's a useful design tip. It refers to light and darkness, and too much of either is poison to good design. Don't make your space too bright, and certainly don't let it get too dark.

10) Signs of life. It's nice to have flowers and plants around, and studies have shown the benefits of doing so...just make sure they're alive and vibrant, not dead and withered.

Keeping these tips in mind, you'll avoid the most common decorating pitfalls, and create a look that your guests are sure to envy.