1 Buying area rugs that are too small
An area rug should allow for a 12- to 16-inch border of flooring around a room's perimeter; anything smaller, and the rug will look too insignificant. Remember: The front legs of your furniture should sit on the area rug, so the rug doesn't appear to "float" in the middle of the room.
2 Purchasing furniture before measuring a room
In their excitement, many homeowners buy items before taking possession of their new home. However, when the furniture arrives, it often doesn't fit through the door or is too long or too deep for the room. Rather than making buying decisions based solely on a floor plan, live in your space for a while -- you'll make better choices.
3 Picking wall colours that are too pale
The larger the space you're painting, the more tonal depth your wall colour needs to have. If your home features an open plan, when deciding on the main colour, select one that's slightly darker than you'd normally choose for a small room.
4 Going without a headboard
The head of the bed is the focal point of any bedroom, but many people tend to overlook the headboard. If you don't have one, add interest with eye-catching artwork or a decorative tapestry, or paint the wall behind the bed a dramatic colour.
5 Decorating without help
It's costly, difficult and emotional, so why not get the help of a professional? For a small percentage of your overall budget, you'll have the guarantee that your project will look great for years to come.
6 Decorating around something you don't love
Chances are, if you don't like it today, you won't like it tomorrow. Don't continue to invest in decor and accessories to match the item; get rid of it, have it refinished or store it in the garage or basement.
7 Buying too many small accessories
Forgoing trendy accessories for a year or two could save you enough money to buy a substantial piece of furniture you'll have forever.
8 Hanging artwork too high
The bottom of the artwork should be eight to 10 inches above the top of a piece of furniture, be it a headboard, sofa or credenza. In a hallway or stairwell, hang art so that the middle of the work is 66 inches from the floor or steps.
4 Comments
We have beautiful hardwood in our small livingroom, hall and diningroom. If the furniture legs are on an area rug the hardwood is almost completely covered. We have chosen 2 simple lovseats (slightly wider than standard)and a contemporary slipper chair (all in neutral colours). We placed a coffee table on a slightly larger Persian carpet. We purchased the carpet in Iran in the 1970s and have used the colours for accessory pieces. We think the effect works -- we can see the hardwood and can enjoy the rug (the only patterened piece in the room).
I agree that the hanging of art too high is a common error. Fortunately, on a visit to Amsterdam I got a lesson in how to hang art in the bedroom. The piece, (a repro of a Rembrandt) was at eye level when I was lying in bed on my side, which made perfect sense since that's where I would most likely be looking at it. Siince I"m not very tall, my tall friends have to bend a lttle when looking at some of the pieces at my house, but that's OK, I"m the one there most of the time. The other issue is what is hung on walls as art. Unfortunately, people are afraid of showing their own innate good taste by hanging "safe" art i.e. non-controversial (and usually bland) prints or copies of known masters. When people come to my house, they are visitng me - not the house and if they don't like what's on the walls, then too bad. I tend to buy only original art and believe me it's NOT as highly priced as current reports of art auctions would have you believe. It's important to learn about what you like and don't like first - by going to galleries and looking at art books. Then, with an idea of the type of art style you prefer, go to end of the year student shows at colleges of art, public shows like the one in Toronto at the beginning of the summer (outdoors at the city hall), and yes, even galleries. Look in the bins of unframed art when you find an artist whose work you like. Buy works that "talk" to you - that's the only way I can describe why or how I choose the pieces that I do. If you buy those works that you relate to, you'll never regret their purchase, even though your taste may change over time. Buy original art and help our artists! One last caveat, stay away from photo-reproductions touted as original, signed "prints". They are NOT bonafide prints, but can be compared to an excellent photocopy done completely by machine with no input of the artist beyond (perhaps) a pencilled signature and number. They are also a great disservice to the many great print-makers that Canada has.
I agree that most people tend to hang their framed items too high. However, I notice that even in your great magazine I seldom hear much about acquiring art for your home. It's odd to me that people will spend lots of money on furnishings (I see loads of cheap stuff at the curb) and kitchens, etc but hang lacklustre things on their walls or nothing at all. I seldom see artwork on the walls in photos of custom homes or featured homes in real estate papers. They seem so uninteresting and expensive. People need to look at their walls and find good local art and pay well for it. Artists are still under-valued and under-utilized. I know of an established, working artist who will custom paint for clients to suit their decor and/or tastes. It appears the average homeowner has never developed their own taste in art, only paint on the walls. A good designer's consultation should include what to put on the walls. Let's add some character to our homes.
This is my number one complaint when I visit homes. Hanging artwork too high doesn't allow one to see the work comfortably and gives one a sore neck when having to look up to see it! We all have enough stresses in life which contirbute to a sore and aching neck muscles. Looking at art should not add to this strain. MW