Whether you want to hire an interior designer to alter your living space or do it yourself, here are the top four common mistakes on interior design that interior designers often encounter when consulting with new clients.
4 Common Mistakes On Interior Design To Avoid:
Common Mistakes On Interior Design 1# too many dusty collectibles in one room
Although you may adore and treasure your Star Wars collection, your grandmother’s spoons, or your bobbleheads, most interior designers would advise you to exhibit only two or three trinkets in your main living room and store the rest elsewhere in your home.
Most of your friends and family members will be aware of your passion for your collections, but neglecting them and allowing them to collect dust at home is not an inviting sight when visitors arrive. You can avoid making this design blunder by exhibiting your items sparingly.
Your home’s public sections should not resemble a shrine or museum stocked with things that only you value.
Common Mistakes On Interior Design 2# Taped-to-the-wall paper memorabilia posters
While taping posters to your walls was popular some years back, unframed posters belong in the bedrooms of youths who are expressing their uniqueness rather than affixing a paper poster to your living room.
It’s fine if you’re only interested in classic art, movie actors, vintage-style autos, or specific genres of photography. Remember to get the posters laminated, framed, and hung on the wall if the artwork complements the room’s colours or theme.
For example, if you enjoy jazz and have a poster or two of a great jazz performer, get the poster framed and hung in the same room as your baby grand piano. The sign then becomes a stylish addition to the main point of the room.
You don’t want to hang beer company label posters, women in bikinis, graffiti, or graphic art that screams masculine adolescent room in your main living space. Interior designers are not advising you to abandon your taste in posters but rather assess whether it is acceptable for the place you are redecorating. If necessary, have the poster framed before displaying it on the wall.
Common Mistakes On Interior Design 3# Furniture that is too big for a tiny place
When you live in a small apartment, condo, or house, you’ll always want to take a little more time to organize the space and give the illusion that it’s visually balanced. When shopping for furniture, consider where it will be put and how its size relates to the proportions and arrangement of the room.
For example, if you shop at a warehouse-style store, everything will appear small compared to the enormous size of the showrooms. So, bring a tape measure with you to measure the furniture so you can compare the proportions to the size of your room.
When your furniture is delivered, it would be a shame if it did not fit through the entrance or along the designated wall that you had planned.
Similarly, even if you want a 52-inch flat-screen TV to hang on the wall in your living room or family room, it’s an impractical buy if it extends over half the wall or if the wall isn’t large enough to hold the TV.
Suppose the size of the area you’re renovating is too little to accommodate the enormous furniture or accessories you intend to install in that space. In that case, you’ll have to reconsider your furniture choices, and you may have to downsize.
Common Mistakes On Interior Design 4# Bringing your patio furniture inside
Perhaps you purchased a charming bistro table and two seats some time ago and have lately chosen to incorporate them into your kitchen. While the concept appears to be financially viable, it is not the ideal choice of furniture to display in your kitchen.
Lawn chairs and plastic stacking chairs are similarly affected. They have no place in your kitchen, family room, or living room. Aside from the furniture being uncomfortable to sit in, perhaps you simply need a little prod to get you started on the interior design planning components of your home.
Home and garden publications can get you started, and then you can chat to an interior designer to see what ideas they have for decorating your living spaces. If you don’t think you have the knack for arranging a room, choose furniture with simple designs that are comfortable, robust, and can last at least ten years.
Essential Interior Design Questions to Ask
You should engage an interior designer if you want the feel and style of a space or your home to be exquisite and faultless. They have the knowledge and skills to put it all together, regardless of your setup or needs.
They have a natural talent and the education and training required to make a space or home’s interior design complete and whole.
If you do decide to engage an interior designer, you must do so with care and discretion. Make sure that they understand your needs, desires, and, most importantly, your budget and period. As you begin this endeavour, there are a few questions you should ask yourself:
Are They Skilled?
Just because they have a website or an ad on the yellow pages does not imply knowledge. They may have years of experience designing commercial buildings, but that doesn’t mean they’re a good fit for your house or vice versa. Request to see their portfolio as well as any references they may have.
You will be making a significant investment in hiring them, so make sure they can offer you confidence in their ability to meet your design objectives. It’s a good idea to ask to see some examples of their previous work.
Can They Work To Your Specifications?
Ascertain that they comprehend the concept and design you desire. If it’s out of the ordinary, ask if they’ve done anything like that previously. If a room or maybe your entire house is unusually shaped, or if you have particular needs, make sure they can work with you to make your vision a reality.
What Are Their Credentials?
What is their degree, and where did it come from if they claim to be trained and qualified? It is so simple to obtain a quick degree online in a couple of days, but those diplomas may not hold sufficient credentials, and you would not want to commit your home to an interior designer if that is their only qualification!
Do they have any on-the-job experience? How extensive is that experience? Have they performed their renovation projects on their own or under the supervision of another designer?
Some interior designers may not have been in the industry for very long, but they may have a natural ability and talent that compensates for their lack of experience. They should be able to show you examples of their work.
What Is Their Fee?
Do they work on a fixed price or a cost–plus basis? A designer might bill you in various methods; be sure you understand their process, obtain a quote, and get it in writing. Do they offer a guarantee on their work?
What is included if they work on a fixed-price contract? Do they bill for travel expenses? How do they record their time if they charge by the hour, and how can you verify the time you’ve been charged? If the hours are not tracked, they might quickly mount up.
An interior designer you engage must be aware of your maximum spending limit and plan accordingly. Before signing any contract, make sure that this is understood.
Conclusion
Interview numerous designers before making your ultimate pick. Examine their prior work through a photograph, a portfolio, or finished examples, and ask questions. You are investing in your home, and you want to be happy and satisfied with the result.
Seeking Landed Property Builders in Singapore?
Builders.sg is a platform that connects property owners to trusted architects and builders across Singapore. If you live in Singapore and are looking for local landed property builders or architects, welcome to Builders.sg!