5 Design Mistakes You're Probably Making!

Let’s get one thing straight… we’ve all made design mistakes.

I’ve done them. You probably have. Some of them are still happening across the country as we speak.

But the good news? Most of them are easy to fix when you know what you’re looking for. Just a few little tweaks that will instantly make your home feel more put together!

So here they are. Five of the most common design slip ups I see again and again and how to avoid them:

1. Rugs that are too small for the room.

Rugs should be big enough to sit under your furniture, not float awkwardly in the middle like a postage stamp. Even if it’s just under the front legs of the sofa, anchor it there. If you want anything to be oversized in the room, it’s your rug.

2. Art hung too high, at the wrong height.

You want art or mirrors usually at eye level, not near ceiling level. If it’s behind a sofa don’t leave it floating up in the abyss, anchor it 200-300mm above.

3. Matching three-piece suits.

I know it’s tempting to buy the full living room ‘bundle’ and call it a day -  but matching sets can feel flat and are so outdated. Mix things up. Different textures, tones, shapes. The contrast makes the space feel considered, not catalogue.

4. One overhead light (aka ‘The Big Light’)

The big light has its place - but it’s not every evening, all evening… even if you have it on a dimmer! Layer your lighting: lamps, floor lamps, wall lights, candles. Soft pools of light feel warm, calm and inviting.

5. Furniture pushed against every wall.

It doesn’t always work. Try floating your furniture slightly into the room to create a more natural sociable layout. Even a small shift can change the feel completely, think armchairs slanting inwards and away from the wall. And layer items when you can… rather than have a sofa right up against the wall, try a long thin console table running behind it, the layering will transform the space.

If you’ve had a hunch something’s been slightly off, one of these might be the culprit! And if not, carry on. You're doing great.

Next up: pattern mixing.