What should you not do when decorating?

11 Common Decorating Mistakes to Avoid Don't Choose a Small Area Rug. Don't Choose the Paint Color First. Don't Hang the Chandelier Too High. Don't Hang Artwork Too High. Don't Choose Short Curtains or Drapes. Don't Use Too Many Throw Pillows. Don't Use Tiny Accent Pillows. Don't Create a Theme Room. More items... •

thespruce.com - 11 Common Decorating Mistakes to Avoid - The Spruce

What is the most profitable item to flip?

The Best Items to Flip for Profit show Clearance Items. Bed-in-a-Box Mattress Returns. Furniture. Sports Memorabilia. Sports and Exercise...

Last updated Dec 15, 2019

How are houses built in extreme cold?

The ground is frozen all the time—permanently—that's why it's called “permafrost.” It gets really ugly if heat from the building melts the frozen...

Last updated Nov 19, 2022

Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

Learn More »

Promotion

Decorating is all about the things you do; the colors you pick, the furniture you love, and the accents you choose to finish your space off with that perfect look that you've been waiting for. Decorating is also about the things that you don't do (or more commonly that you do and then undo). An editorial eye is one that's always looking for things that can go, either because they don't fit or because it's just too much of a good thing. Exercise your editorial eye for long enough, and you'll find yourself running into the same missteps over and over, and not just in your work but in just about every room you walk into. That's a good thing because knowing what not to do can be as useful (sometimes more) as having a firm grasp on what you should do. And just in case your eye isn't quite as practiced just yet, here are a few things to look for the next time you take stock of your decor. And you'll be surprised how often you see them, even in professionally designed rooms.

Don't Choose a Small Area Rug

Are you using an area rug that is too small? Postage stamp-size rugs are one of the most common decorating mistakes. All of the furniture should be sitting on the rug. If this isn't possible, the front legs of more solid pieces can be on the rug with the back two needn't be. All four legs of smaller pieces should be on the rug.

Don't Choose the Paint Color First

Never choose the paint color first. Paint is available in thousands of colors and can easily be changed. Choose your most expensive pieces first, then decorate around them.

Don't Hang the Chandelier Too High

Hanging chandeliers too high is problematic. You want to light up the room, not the ceiling. By attaching the chandeliers too high, you're limiting the spread of light. By limiting the spread of light, your room will appear darker.

Don't Hang Artwork Too High

People tend to hang art closer to the ceiling than it should be. Artwork should be hung at about eye-level. This varies from person to person, so use your judgment. But it's better to err on the side of lower rather than higher.

Don't Choose Short Curtains or Drapes

Curtains and drapes should skim the floor. It's okay if they're longer and they puddle a bit, but they should never be shorter. Curtains that are too short have the same effect as pants that are too short: they make the wall look truncated and shorter than it is.

Should I advertise all my Etsy listings?

Etsy encourages sellers to promote all their active listings the first time they start running paid campaigns. This is a good strategy because if...

Last updated Sep 12, 2021

Is it OK to felt over existing felt?

When felting over any old felt you can use a bitten primer to get a proper fix, some felts are also a 3 layer system allowing them to go over old...

Last updated Feb 17, 2018

Are shed plans easy to follow?

These are! They guide you every step of the way to complete your dream shed.

Learn More »

Promotion

Don't Use Too Many Throw Pillows

Throw pillows are great decorative accents but don't use so many that you have to move them all of the couch, chair, or bed before you sit or lie down. Just because it's displayed that way in a store, it doesn't mean the look should be repeated in your home.

Don't Use Tiny Accent Pillows

The throw pillows you use should relate to the pieces of furniture you've selected. A small pillow on a large chair looks bitsy and lost.

Don't Create a Theme Room

While they can be fun to decorate, people tend to get sick of them quickly. Theme rooms become old and outdated quick. Then, you're stuck having to spend more money replacing items that you no longer want. Instead, try to add elements of the theme you like into a regular room. For instance, if you like jungle themes toss in a few animal prints such as zebra print cushions or an ottoman.

Don't Opt for Style Over Comfort

There are a lot of exceptional looking items out there that look great but are uncomfortable to sit in. Always think about how you're going to use the piece before you purchase it.

Don't Push All the Furniture Against the Walls

Sometimes the room size can make this difficult, but try to pull furniture away from the walls to create more intimate conversation areas. This is particularly important in living rooms and family rooms. Some people are hesitant to show the backs of furniture pieces, but if they're finished, there's absolutely no reason why this should be so.

Don't Rely on Overhead Lighting

While overhead lighting is good to have, it doesn't offer enough illumination, and it's not particularly flattering. It's better to have a mix of overhead, ambient, and task lighting. Use table lamps, floor lamps, sconces—whatever you like. Just be sure to use a mix. It will provide more light as well as make the room and everyone in it look better.

thespruce.com - 11 Common Decorating Mistakes to Avoid - The Spruce

How do you heat a small cabin off the grid?

Install Direct Vent Heaters. Direct vent heaters are one of the safest, most efficient, and more permanent heating systems that don't require...

Last updated Oct 10, 2018

Can you keep electrical items in a shed?

Electronics Rust can completely ruin the internal wiring of electronics, which is common when they are kept in garden sheds. Large plasma...

Last updated Feb 21, 2021

Promotion

How do I stop the bottom of my car from scraping on the driveway?

The good news is that there are two ways to avoid it: Drive over obstacles like curbs or speed bumps at an angle. This requires extremely low...

Last updated Jan 26, 2018

Promotion

Can I paint a shed with a roller?

You can use a paint roller for large areas, or a wide fence and shed brush if your prefer. For tricky nooks and crannies, use a smaller brush. Try...

Last updated Dec 5, 2019