The Seven Most Common Home Decorating Mistakes—Plus, How to Avoid Them

Decorating your home isn't as simple as creating a Pinterest board. There are so many factors that can get between you and your dream space-and we're not just talking about selecting the wrong fabric or hanging your drapes too low; instead, we mean things like the overwhelming number of decisions you have to make that can ultimately cause you to question your vision and make mistakes. One of the easiest ways to get out of your own head is by making simple shifts in mindset. To do that, make sure you're well aware of the most common decorating mistakes homeowners make, then learn how to avoid them.

Not Trusting Yourself

So many of us don't listen to our own instincts when decorating. We value other people's voices and opinions more than our own. While some experts can offer excellent advice, no one knows your style better than you. If you want to paint your dining room fuchsia, then do it! Your home is for you. You don't need anyone's permission or approval to make it your own. Next time you're feeling torn, make sure the voice in your own head is the loudest one and follow your gut.

Rushing Through the Process

Rushing causes hasty design decisions that you may regret later. Use as much time as you need when decorating your home. It may feel like an inconvenience to slow down or pause the process altogether, but remember that it's your and decorating should be done on your schedule. Sometimes the best things take a little extra time. If you're feeling pressured to make decisions, give yourself permission to take time off-set a timeframe for when you'll come back to make the final decision, then come back to it when you're feeling less pressured.

Striving for Perfection

No one needs a perfect house. In fact, a perfect house doesn't even exist. If you strive for the perfect home-perfect sheets, perfect wall color, perfect dishes-you will inevitably find yourself disappointed when you realize that perfection is just an illusion. Dishes break, sheets get worn, and walls need to be repainted. Embrace the real, not the perfect. It's the imperfections that make a house a home.

Playing It Safe

Don't be afraid to take a few risks. Risk-taking is magic making. Buy that quirky rainbow ottoman with brass claw feet. Paint your ceiling black. Hang a sparkly pink chandelier in your kitchen. Infuse your home with fearless decisions. If you try something and hate it, at least you tried. Being brave is character building, for both you and your home. If you're on the fence about a bold decision, encourage yourself to make it. You can always make adjustments as you go.

Letting Your Budget Keep You From Creating

Home decorating can be expensive, but it doesn't have to be. Don't shy away from decorating because you think you can't afford it. Shop at secondhand stores. Make your own art. Repurpose and recycle items already in your home. Not having a huge home decorating budget can be a blessing in disguise because it forces you to be extra creative. And, when in doubt, remember that a fresh coat of paint is one of the most affordable ways to revamp any room.

Not Putting in the Work

Decorating requires work, but the good news is that it's the good kind of work. You get out of it what you put into it. If you don't put in much, your house is not going to feel like much of a home. Even if you work with a design professional, you still need to be involved in design decisions. Otherwise, your designer will most likely decorate according to her own tastes, but not in a way that's authentic to you.

Taking It All Too Seriously

Although decorating can be stressful sometimes, it's important to keep a sense of fun and humor throughout the process. If a home is made in the spirit of joy, if will feel joyful. And who doesn't want a joyful home? So lighten up and smile. Your home will smile back.

Source: marthastewart.com

Do not throw away your broken mirror

Ways to Use A broken mirror…
Besides 7 years of “bad luck”, what really can you do with it? Once broken, mirrors are only a mere relic of their former reflecting selves. That is until now. A broken mirror can’t show your reflection in full, but it can be repurposed into an assortment of useful items. Here are five crafty ways to answer your question of what to do with broken mirror. 

Build Unique Wall Art 
Shattered glass can be very beautiful if your know what to do with it. Instead of throwing the pieces of glass in the trash, why not create some unique wall art. Let your imagination run wild. From a mirrored flower to an array of glass pieces turned into your own version of modern art, the glass pieces can be arranged to make an affordable piece of wall art. You don’t need any special skills to create wall art from a broken mirror. Just make sure you wear protective gloves while handling the glass as a preventative measure. Most people are able to create their very own mirrored wall art using some strong epoxy glue and a stable surface such as heavy cardboard or canvas for the foundation.

Decorate Old Furniture
Are you covering up your old furniture with tablecloths because of water stains and scuff marks? Why not jazz up your aged furniture pieces with broken glass. You’ve probably seen mirrored furniture in furniture stores. It is very beautiful, but also quite pricey. If you are willing to be crafty and creative, you can create your own shattered glass furniture for a greatly reduced price. With a new coat of paint and strategically placed glass pieces, you can turn your once drab furniture into showroom quality marvels. Give it a try, and see just how brilliant your new furniture looks decorated with broken glass.

Create a Jewelry Organizer Before you throw away that mirror frame, think about all the jewelry you own and how nice it would be to finally have a place to store it. You can use the mirror frame to create your own durable jewelry organizer. Make sure all the broken glass is thoroughly removed from the frame. Paint the frame a color of your liking. When dry, secure wire to the back of the mirror. Chicken wire or something with openings large enough to hang jewelry is preferred. Trim the excess wire so that it is not visible on the front. You have your very own wire jewelry organizer. If you want to get extra fancy, you can even add pieces of the broken glass on the surface of the mirror frame as a decorative touch.

Fashion a Mirrored Light The reflection of light off a mirror is a beautiful sight to behold. You can create your very own hanging mirrored light using broken glass pieces and string lights. Choose your string lights of choice. If you want a striking lighted mirror effect, go with bright lights. If you prefer a more subdued effect, the softer yellow-based lights are best. You can attach the broken pieces of mirror to the string light using strong epoxy glue. When you turn the string lights on, you will be gifted with dancing light reflecting off the mirrored pieces.

 From Mirror Frame to Picture Frame
Don’t throw your mirror frame away after breaking a mirror. It can be repurposed into a beautiful picture frame. You can paint and decorate the frame to your liking, and even add pieces of the broken glass to the frame to give it sparkle. Add a cardboard back for the mounting of your picture and the picture of your choosing. Now you have a brand new picture frame created using all the pieces of your broken mirror. Broken mirrors aren’t bad luck after all when you know how to make the most use of them in creative ways.

Decorating Secrets only Professionals Know - Series 2

"The most important first step in design is a good floor plan."—Jessica Helgerson

Invest In Upholstery

"My clients ask about the most important pieces to invest in: I believe in upholstery and art! They help anchor a room."—Ashley Darryl

Have Fun

"Make sure you're having fun. What's more fun than making your own home more beautiful."—Eche Martinez

Create Your Own Light

“When you're given a dark space that doesn't have great light, create your own light. In this kitchen, we used Sherwin-​Williams's sunny Ener­getic Orange, and it turned out just fabulous— so cheerful.”—Matthew Boland

Know Your Dealbreakers

“Don't settle. If you have your heart set on a piece, don't try to find something similar just to save money. Chances are, you’ll never be completely satisfied with the substitute (or its quality).”—Brian Watford

Switch Out Pieces That Take Up The Most Surface Area

"When clients want a quick, impactful update, I recommend the pieces that take up the most surface area, like rugs, paint color, or window treatments."—Tina Ramchandani

Focus On One Investment A Year

"Buy one good piece of furniture every year, and in five years, you'll have five pieces. Everything else may change, but these will remain constant."—Jeffrey Bilhuber

Reflect Your Personality In The Bedrooms

"In the master suite, decor can deviate from the common areas and really reflect your personality."—Ali Vanderpool and Ariana Villalta

Amp Up Your Ceiling Game

“Faux paint, lush lacquer, or wallpaper on a ceiling will garner that ‘Wow’ response.” —Leslie May

Try Using Black

"Black works with any style. The misconception is that dark colors make spaces feel smaller; they actually recede."—Carrie Fundings Land

Make Sure It All Fits

''Being able to visualize the scale of a piece is critical. in our office, we say, "When in doubt, tape it out"

Mix Your Metals

"Embrace mixed metals. It can feel like the fixtures are curated and bespoke."—Shelley Johnstone

Indulge a Bit

I indulged in a silk carpet and i realized it is better to live beautifully than to live in fear

Collect Unique Pieces

The strange bust from the flea market, the weird painting you are drawn to. Buy them all, curate a space that is truly one of a kind

Incorporate Inherited pieces

Don't be afraid to use inherited antiques. Add a backdrop with exciting wallpapers. The combination is simply the best.

Make the most of natural light

There's no substitute for natural light. Create opportunities to let the sun shine in- The bigger the windows, the better.

Use Wallpaper to start a conversation

It is a bit of an Investment and you cant take it with you when you leave, but nothing brings va-va-voom in conversation-topic pattern.

Decorating Secrets only Professionals Know - Series 1

We've compiled some secrets straight from the pros to help you with all your decorating needs.

Don't Be Afraid To DIY 

"If punk rock has taught me anything, it's to do everything yourself. All of my favorite interior designers were self-taught."—Max Humphrey

Mix Old And New Decor 

"Old and new belong together. A mix of modern pieces and antiques never tires."—Caleb Anderson

Liven Up Ordinary Spaces With Wallpaper

“I love to use wallpaper in mundane spaces. Hallways, pantries, powder rooms—all become moments of joy and funkiness. Areas of transition can be places you enjoy spending time in.”—Fawn Galli

Choose The Right Bulbs

"Choosing the right light bulb is very   important. LED bulbs are energy efficient, and they can look great."—Paloma Contreras

Try Out Wicker

“Wicker is an element I love for its texture and versatility. Wicker baskets are so functional for storage, but a wicker animal brings a sense of whimsy.” —Amy Berry

Upgrade Your Light Switches

“Update your light switches! Elegant controls add a spectacular element to an older home or character to a new one.” —Courtney Hill

Invest In Antiques 

“Great art and fabulous antiques only get better with age. It’s better to cry once and have a forever piece.”—Chandos Dodson Epley

Trust Your Intuition 

"Follow your gut. If you have to talk yourself into liking something, you probably don't."—Olivia Erwin

Use The Ceiling To Redefine The Room

“Look up! We use ceilings a lot. Through them, we define the lines and beauty of a space.”—Julio Salcedo

Add A Bar

"Every house should have a great bar. It is the central point of a party, and if you entertain a lot, it will be celebrated, so put some thought into it."—Jordana Joseph

When In Doubt, Paint It Out 

"Never underestimate the power of paint. You don't have to break the bank to achieve a new look. A fresh coat in a vibrant color takes an old piece of furniture or empty white room and gives it new life."—Chauncey Boothby

White Kitchens Are Forever

“Classics never go out of style. I hesitated about doing a white kitchen in my own house, thinking I’d been there, done that. But I’m so glad I did. I will never tire of it.”—Alexandra Kaehler

Live In Your Pretty Spaces 

"Actually use your beautiful things! I have a chocolate lab and white furniture in my living room. It took some training, but now he knows the furniture is off limits."—Lindsey Lane

Get Inspired By Ancient Buildings

"Pull floor patterns from ancient buildings. One inspired the checkerboard pattern of the marble floors in my Los Angeles home."—Nate Berkus

Go Dark

“Don’t be afraid of dark. I used this rich Benjamin Moore Midnight Blue on an accent wall—darker than I’d ever dared. It made the whole space come to life.” —Jean Larette

Collect Art From An Early Age

"Art, art, art! Start young and buy the best you can afford. Its ability to transform a room is unlike any other design tool."—Jean Liu

Splurge On A Master Bath

"The splurge everyone should make is a fabulous master bathroom. I used hand-painted porcelain sinks in mine."—Todd Richesin

Don't Underestimate The Coffee Table

“In an open seating plan, always use a well-proportioned statement coffee table to ground the arrangement and give it a sense of place.”—Sean Michael

Be Creative! 

“Get creative when thinking about form and function. A client in a traditional Georgian home needed it to work for her modern way of entertaining. We opted for an asymmetrical, organic space that encourages guests to float through the room while engaged in conversation.” —Kate Coughlin

Make Ceilings Look Higher With Tall Furniture

"Use tall pieces in a low-height room. Short furnishings would make the ceiling feel that much lower to the ground." —