Admit it - we all think we know best when it comes to designing a home. But what most of us don't understand is that interior design takes a very keen and knowledgeable eye. That same sofa that looks fabulous at the IKEA showroom may not look that great in your living room. Interior designers, on the other hand, understand how colour, lighting, size of the room, and placement can affect how each item look, and how they look when put together.
Here, we've gathered a list of some of the most common mistakes that almost everyone of us make when designing our home. Now that you know them, avoid them.
1. Create A City Skyline?
According to an interior designer, when you enter a room, it should be like you're looking out at a city scape. There should be a combination of different heights and sizes in your furnishings, art placement and window treatment.
Interior Designer: Versaform
Location: Tampines Central
2. Sticking To Your Own Ideas
"One of the biggest hurdle we face when designing a home is when the homeowners get insistent on their own ways," says Christina Tay, founder and consultant with Dreamcreations Interior. You might think it's your home so you have the ultimate say, but don't disregard other's opinion. Interior designers are full of clever design tips and tricks to transform your home, so be open to their suggestions, too.
Interior Designer: Hue Concept Design
Location: Upper Serangoon Crescent
3. Having Too Many Displays
It starts with one set of McDonald's Hello Kitty dolls, then three, and suddenly there are 20. The key here is, buy less, buy better. But if you already have tons of accessories and ornaments, it’s best to group them up into the same types of things and display them. (And stop buying new ones!)
Interior designer: Story Of Us
Location: Braddell View
4. Hanging Art All Wrong
Artworks should be hung 145cm above the floor on the wall. "This is considered 'eye level', and is a common standard used at galleries and museums," shares an expert from The Artling. The consultants there will be able to offer you more tips, plus help you source for the perfect art pieces for your home.
Interior Designer: The Association
Location: Esparina Residences
5. Not Buying Everything Matchy-Matchy
Having coordinated sets of furniture, accessories and draperies can sap the soul out of a place. While one advantage of an over-matched decor is that you get a sense of peace, it can get bland after a while. Strive for the "curated" look, which is a collection of varied items with different textures, materials, and style, and are collected over time rather than in one fell swoop.
Interior Designer: Three-D Conceptwerke
Location: Jervois Road
6. Placing Small Furniture In Small Rooms
Think a small room should only consist of small furniture? By doing that, you'll only emphasise how tiny the room is. Opt for large furniture to give the room oomph and dimension. Or, go with dramatic decorating - a large-scale wallpaper or mural will make a smaller, less-used room an exciting space to spend time in.
Interior Designer: Interi Living
Location: Telok Blangah Heights
7. Stopping Time In Its Tracks
We tend to forget how fast our kids grow. Before you coat the walls a cheesy pink or blue paint and invest in that too-expensive car-shaped bed, consider a neutral, timeless theme, and other ways to reflect their likes and hobbies -- e.g. a mini art gallery and patterned accessories to add flair. Let individual pieces pieces accumulate over time to achieve that colourful, eclectic look which layers the new with the old.
Interior Designer: Linear Space Concepts
Location: Mimosa Park
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