If you’re a new homeowner, first and foremost, congrats on your new home! It’s such an exciting time, and it’s only just beginning. Now comes the fun part! You have a blank slate; an opportunity to start fresh and create your dream home. And we want to help you build a space that is comfortable, enjoyable, and most importantly yours. But before you begin designing, don’t miss these common mistakes that new homeowners make.
Mistake No. 1: Undersized furniture
Image from Studio McGee
It’s time to upgrade that IKEA couch and end table. Furniture from stores like IKEA are often sized to fit in smaller apartments. In a standard-sized home, this furniture will look way too small and out of place.
SOLUTION:
Invest in furniture that fits the space and complements the architecture of the home. The furniture should fill the space in a way that makes sense for its use. For example, bigger, more open rooms can take larger sofas and chairs, whereas smaller apartments might need littler pieces.
Be sure to take measurements of the room before you purchase. Nervous? Contact us for a Consultation!
Mistake No. 2: Plain White Walls
Image from Camille Styles
This is your home now! No more adhering to a landlord’s rules and leaving those cold white walls unpainted. Adding color to your walls not only helps your home look cozier and more put together, but it’s actually known to have a positive effect on your mood!
SOLUTION:
Paint those walls! Colors with cool undertones (think neutral blues, greens, purples or grays) are associated with tranquility and can help you feel calm. Cool colors are also great for small rooms that you want to appear larger. Warm colors (neutral reds, oranges, yellows, beiges), on the other hand, can help larger rooms feel cozier.
Mistake No. 3: Exposed Clutter
Image from Calimbury
That stack of magazines on the coffee table? Let’s find a place for those. The surplus of trinkets on the bookcase? Maybe scale back a few. Exposed clutter can make a home feel disorderly and messy, even when it’s not.
SOLUTION:
We all have a lot of stuff, and finding a place to put it all is key. Opt for furniture that doubles as storage; like tables with drawers or an ottoman with storage inside.
Decorative bins or baskets are great, too! They look nice, are practical, and have space to hold your knick-knacks. Above all else, putting items where they logically belong—like your cheese board in the kitchen and magazines in the living room—will help make your home look tidy and organized.
Mistake No. 4: Pushing furniture to the walls
Image from Emily Henderson
This is one of the most common mistakes new homeowners make. It may seem like pushing furniture against the walls makes the room feel bigger, but in reality, it creates an awkward empty space in the middle of the room and can give off an uninviting, formal vibe.
SOLUTION:
Plan your spaces around the most natural flow. Our favorite way to plan for furniture in a room is to draw it out! Think of how traffic will flow through the space; where will the most foot traffic be? How will people enter and exit the room? And keep in mind that putting furniture closer together can help make the room feel cozier and more intimate.
Conclusion
Now that you know the mistakes to avoid, you can get out there and start designing your dream home. As always, don’t hesitate to reach out with any and all design questions. We’re here to help!