You've moved into a new place and can't wait to finish decorating it. So, you browse for ideas in magazines or on Pinterest and then go ahead and shop for pieces. You want that blank wall and that bare room to have life, but designer Abbe Fenimore cautions against the impatience.
"Often I see people buy mass-produced art on impulse because they're nervous about filling a blank wall," Fenimor said, according to Town And Country. Picking out the wrong items so you'll have something in the room is not a great way to start building your new place's interior design. Below are other suggestions designers have that they say you must avoid and should never waste money on:
Having White Furniture, Generic Furniture
If you've got a full house, the upkeep for white furniture is going to be a challenge. If you don't have kids and pets, but you love having friends over a lot, ditch the white furniture as well. You can only flip cushions enough, so you need to get furniture that is going to easy to maintain.
Ideally, you should also stay away from generic furniture. You might think you're saving money buying a standard sofa that looks good on display and one that's also immediately available. However, you might find that after a few uses, it's actually badly shaped, its fabric is cheap and its curved legs and winged arms aren't ergonomically convenient, according to Style By Emily Henderson.
Using Slipcovers For Chairs
Most of the time, slip covers don't fit perfectly on the chair as it can turn different ways and bunch up. The upkeep is also challenging as some fabric can end up looking dirty and dingy after a couple of weeks. Washing and bleaching often makes it impractical and you'll have to zip off and tug on the covers each time you clean them. White slip covers do make the house look pretty, but it's one of the worst design purchases you can make, according to The Inspired Room.
Setting Up Colorful Toilet Rugs
Many designers aren't fans of toilet rugs because these are unappealing and unhygienic, according to Chicago Tribune. "It's not my preference to use toilet mats mostly because no one knows when to get rid of them or to clean them regularly," said California designer Alice T. Chan.
Sticking With One Fabric or Pattern
Because you want to a unifying look, you've bought or custom-made the same floral patterns for the pillows, curtains, blankets and maybe even the bedskirt. However, this will only make the room look "overwhelmingly tacky," according to HGTV. A room can still look well-put together with accents and colorful highlights. If the bed has a floral blanket, the curtains can carry one color element from that design.
Buying Trendy Pieces
Sure, that bright pink chair will look interesting in the living room, and yes, maybe that glittery kitchen backsplash is what's hot today, but you could eventually get tired of these elements. Replacing pieces like those cost a lot of time and money. Invest in designs that can stand the test of time.
