5 Decorating Mistakes You Might Be Making

Decorating is not an easy task—especially if you aren’t a pro. As a design enthusiast, you’re bound to come across a handful of challenges that may frustrate you and make you think that you can’t achieve a beautiful home. If you’ve made the mistake of buying the wrong rug or one too many pillows—no need to worry, you can fix it with a few styling tweaks. Check them out below: 

1. You're using an area rug that is too small.

Laying out a small area rug in a room full of bulky furniture can make the space look fragmented and unfinished. Make sure your carpet is always two inches wider than your fittings—for example, if you have a seven foot sofa, it’s best to pick out a rug that is at least nine feet so it can frame all of the pieces. 

2. You have too many pillows on the sofa.

Throwing a bunch of pillows on the couch may seem like an easy way to make it feel more cozy—however, if you add too much it can look very messy. Stick to two or three pillows on each end for an elegant sitting piece. 

3. You’re keeping sunlight away from your home.

While blackout curtains are great for sleeping in, it isn’t the best choice for entertainment spaces like the living area. Let the sunshine stream in by sticking to sheer curtains that will keep your space bright and well-ventilated. 

4. Your furniture pieces are all lined up against the wall.

Keeping all the furniture around the perimeter of the room can make it look smaller instead of spacious—strange, but true! Make your space look more put together by pulling the furniture away from the panels of your home and reserving the empty space for artwork or statement decor pieces.

5. You’re afraid of mixing and matching styles.

If you settle for a single decorating style, you run the risk of making your space look too bland. Feel free to coordinate a few pieces to keep the look streamlined, but don’t forget to add in pops of color to break the monotony!

SOURCES: Real Simple and homes to love