Decorating
Decorating Masterclass: 10 Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Didn't get your decor right first time around? No problem – here's how to turn your styling errors into successes
If you’re scratching your head over why the decor in some of the spaces in your home leaves you feeling slightly underwhelmed, a remedy – or at least an improvement – may be just a few moves away. Whether it’s a bland room, a paint colour you’re not quite sure about, or sofa cushions that refuse to sit right no matter how many times you arrange them, here are the tweaks that can help turn your dodgy decorating decisions into resounding wins.
“The darker the night, the brighter the stars,” wrote Dostoyevsky. Your bold move gives you the perfect excuse to indulge in rich, theatrical colour contrasts. Play up dark walls with jewel tones, natural timber, reflective metallics, greenery and dramatic artwork.
Far from restricting a colour palette, dark walls come to life when coupled with shades such as pale aqua and mint, silver-grey, teal, mustard, dusky pink and pumpkin yellow. And you can never go wrong with white.
Far from restricting a colour palette, dark walls come to life when coupled with shades such as pale aqua and mint, silver-grey, teal, mustard, dusky pink and pumpkin yellow. And you can never go wrong with white.
Another approach is to simply surrender to your dark side and go moody and monochrome, as seen in this understated Scandinavian bedroom. Texture and layering are key to nailing this look – think dusky velvets, slubby linens and sensuous silks.
See dark and moody rooms that work
See dark and moody rooms that work
2. Your shelfies are bursting at the seams
Putting every ornament you own on open shelves often leads to a distracting mishmash of nondescript items. Serious sorting is needed to give it some focus.
What to do: I recommend organising expert Marie Kondo’s life-changing advice of honouring items, then letting them go. Another motto may be ‘beautiful, interesting or out’. Empty shelves and sort into ‘yes’ and ‘no’ piles. You don’t have to throw items away, but this is a good chance to do the Kondo. These shelves make clever use of space in a way that enhances every object.
Putting every ornament you own on open shelves often leads to a distracting mishmash of nondescript items. Serious sorting is needed to give it some focus.
What to do: I recommend organising expert Marie Kondo’s life-changing advice of honouring items, then letting them go. Another motto may be ‘beautiful, interesting or out’. Empty shelves and sort into ‘yes’ and ‘no’ piles. You don’t have to throw items away, but this is a good chance to do the Kondo. These shelves make clever use of space in a way that enhances every object.
Once you’ve reduced your candidates to the beautiful and meaningful, let them shine. You might want to paint the back of the shelves to emphasise lovely shapes and colours among your chosen collection; white items against a dark shade really stand out. Avoid highly patterned or textured backgrounds as they can be confusing to the eye.
Rather than lining books up soldier-style, stack some to form bookends and mini-shelves, choosing intriguing titles and spines that coordinate with your display.
Rather than lining books up soldier-style, stack some to form bookends and mini-shelves, choosing intriguing titles and spines that coordinate with your display.
3. Your sofa is pale and interesting, but totally impractical
You somehow forgot that a dog, a cat, two toddlers, sticky fingers, raspberry cordial and pet hair just don’t go with light sofas.
What to do: Have the fabric professionally cleaned and treated. Be aware that no stain-proofing is bulletproof and its effectiveness depends on the fabric. Modern formulas penetrate fibres and enable most liquid and other residue to be removed. DIY aerosol sprays are a short-term solution, but only coat the surface and wear away after one clean.
You somehow forgot that a dog, a cat, two toddlers, sticky fingers, raspberry cordial and pet hair just don’t go with light sofas.
What to do: Have the fabric professionally cleaned and treated. Be aware that no stain-proofing is bulletproof and its effectiveness depends on the fabric. Modern formulas penetrate fibres and enable most liquid and other residue to be removed. DIY aerosol sprays are a short-term solution, but only coat the surface and wear away after one clean.
We’re loving sofa throws at the moment, so drape them casually and pile on big cushions to deflect the worst of spills and grime. Another solution is to opt for washable slip covers that can be run through the machine when they get grubby.
If you want to leave sofas ‘naked’, vacuum with a spotlessly clean brush attachment often. In the event of a spill, blot carefully, never rub.
If you want to leave sofas ‘naked’, vacuum with a spotlessly clean brush attachment often. In the event of a spill, blot carefully, never rub.
4. Your vignettes look like bargain tables
Vignettes like this are a lovely way to show off treasures and create character. They are pocket-sized portraits of your personality, so if you haven’t mastered the knack, read on.
What to do: There a few catchwords to keep in mind. Start with an anchor piece and build from it. Asymmetry avoids a stiff formal look. Contrast shapes and textures. Connect with a theme, colour or mood.
Learn more about creating beautiful vignettes
Vignettes like this are a lovely way to show off treasures and create character. They are pocket-sized portraits of your personality, so if you haven’t mastered the knack, read on.
What to do: There a few catchwords to keep in mind. Start with an anchor piece and build from it. Asymmetry avoids a stiff formal look. Contrast shapes and textures. Connect with a theme, colour or mood.
Learn more about creating beautiful vignettes
In this elegant vignette, angles contrast with curves, shiny and matt textures are juxtaposed, and a black and white palette anchors the scene. The set-up is asymmetrical, but thanks to a careful arrangement, still manages to feel balanced. Best of all, it draws the observer in for a closer look.
5. Your lounge room doesn’t feel friendly
We want guests to be impressed by our home’s public spaces, but often style takes precedence over comfort and we end up with a dressy room that feels stiff and unwelcoming.
What to do: The problem may be solely in how furniture is positioned. Seating should be arranged in a way that encourages social interaction. When deciding where to put sofas and armchairs, imagine how sitters will communicate with each other. Put seating close enough to encourage conversation, rather than back against the walls, which can leave you with a no-man’s land in the centre of the room.
We want guests to be impressed by our home’s public spaces, but often style takes precedence over comfort and we end up with a dressy room that feels stiff and unwelcoming.
What to do: The problem may be solely in how furniture is positioned. Seating should be arranged in a way that encourages social interaction. When deciding where to put sofas and armchairs, imagine how sitters will communicate with each other. Put seating close enough to encourage conversation, rather than back against the walls, which can leave you with a no-man’s land in the centre of the room.
There’s nothing like humour to put guests at ease so add some whimsical touches to your living spaces. You may not want a giant bowler-hatted giraffe stealing the show, but he’s sure to break the ice.
See more gorgeous living rooms
See more gorgeous living rooms
6. You can’t get the hang of hanging art
Whether ‘art’ to you means canvas or framed prints, blown-up photographs, a priceless original, a treasured heirloom or your child’s finger painting, its impact depends on the way it’s displayed. Are you getting the best out of yours?
What to do: If art is a defining feature in your home, calling upon the services of a professional hanger is a good investment. A common mistake is hanging art too high. Consider human scale and hang artworks with the centre point at eye-level in spaces where people stand, and lower where they view from a seated position.
Whether ‘art’ to you means canvas or framed prints, blown-up photographs, a priceless original, a treasured heirloom or your child’s finger painting, its impact depends on the way it’s displayed. Are you getting the best out of yours?
What to do: If art is a defining feature in your home, calling upon the services of a professional hanger is a good investment. A common mistake is hanging art too high. Consider human scale and hang artworks with the centre point at eye-level in spaces where people stand, and lower where they view from a seated position.
7. Your white kitchen is practical, but lacks warmth
Kitchens are in the limelight more than ever, often open to other living areas in popular open-plan homes. While all-white is common, clinical coldness can creep in.
What to do: Kitchenware has moved beyond functional to become something worthy of display. Appliances come in a rainbow of colours and styles, and cookware is designed to be seen. Don’t hide all this beauty away in cupboards – hang great-looking saucepans from wall hooks, leave a stack of pretty dishes out on show, or pop a bowl piled high with fruit or vegies on the benchtop.
Kitchens are in the limelight more than ever, often open to other living areas in popular open-plan homes. While all-white is common, clinical coldness can creep in.
What to do: Kitchenware has moved beyond functional to become something worthy of display. Appliances come in a rainbow of colours and styles, and cookware is designed to be seen. Don’t hide all this beauty away in cupboards – hang great-looking saucepans from wall hooks, leave a stack of pretty dishes out on show, or pop a bowl piled high with fruit or vegies on the benchtop.
Kitchen designer Anne Ellard believes a white kitchen is the perfect blank canvas. “Add bold flourishes of colour with accessories such as books, flowers or small appliances – all of which can easily be changed,” Ellard says. “Or, make your pop of colour even grander with a colourful splashback.”
Bright artwork, timber accessories, potted plants and mini herb gardens help relieve sterility and make a sleek kitchen feel more like home.
Bright artwork, timber accessories, potted plants and mini herb gardens help relieve sterility and make a sleek kitchen feel more like home.
8. Your ‘focal points’ are all over the place
If you walk into a room and nothing – or everything – catches your eye, then it has no focal point. This much-used designer’s term simply means a primary place for the eye to rest before taking in the whole space. A room without one lacks life, balance and harmony.
What to do: A focal point could be an architectural feature, a view, an artwork, a fireplace, a statement furniture piece, a mirror, a textural surface, or a stunning rug, as shown here. It’s easier to start with a focus and plan the rest of the room’s decor around it. If you prefer to work with what you already have, decide what the focal feature will be and then arrange existing furniture to direct attention towards it.
If you walk into a room and nothing – or everything – catches your eye, then it has no focal point. This much-used designer’s term simply means a primary place for the eye to rest before taking in the whole space. A room without one lacks life, balance and harmony.
What to do: A focal point could be an architectural feature, a view, an artwork, a fireplace, a statement furniture piece, a mirror, a textural surface, or a stunning rug, as shown here. It’s easier to start with a focus and plan the rest of the room’s decor around it. If you prefer to work with what you already have, decide what the focal feature will be and then arrange existing furniture to direct attention towards it.
What do you see first when you look at this picture? Do your eyes go straight to the handsome goat on the wall? The curves of his horns are offset by a spiky plant and modern lamp, the sofa is simply styled and antique timber chairs and tables reflect the natural textures in the artwork. A great example of a successful focal point.
9. You can’t control your cushion habit
We all know one: a cushion addict who doesn’t know when to stop. Perhaps you are one yourself? Get help here.
What to do: Cushions heaped high on sofas, chairs and beds don’t always add much to a room. If you can’t sit on a sofa or lie on a bed without putting cushions on the floor, they lose their purpose. Try to restrict cushions to two at each end of a sofa, one (or none) on an armchair and three on a bed.
We all know one: a cushion addict who doesn’t know when to stop. Perhaps you are one yourself? Get help here.
What to do: Cushions heaped high on sofas, chairs and beds don’t always add much to a room. If you can’t sit on a sofa or lie on a bed without putting cushions on the floor, they lose their purpose. Try to restrict cushions to two at each end of a sofa, one (or none) on an armchair and three on a bed.
10. You haven’t changed anything in years
Has decor ennui crept in? You could just be tired of the same old, same old. We all have favourite styles, but it’s easy to get stuck in a groove.
What to do: Shake things up. Reignite your passion and inject new energy and interest into your home by mixing up what you already have, or adding some inexpensive new accessories. Change bedcovers and cushions, and swap houseplants, chairs, lamps, lights and rugs around. Reposition furniture for a fresh perspective – it’s cheaper than a costly refurbishment and loads more fun. This bedroom shows how a few well-chosen accessories can make for a pretty and inviting space.
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Has decor ennui crept in? You could just be tired of the same old, same old. We all have favourite styles, but it’s easy to get stuck in a groove.
What to do: Shake things up. Reignite your passion and inject new energy and interest into your home by mixing up what you already have, or adding some inexpensive new accessories. Change bedcovers and cushions, and swap houseplants, chairs, lamps, lights and rugs around. Reposition furniture for a fresh perspective – it’s cheaper than a costly refurbishment and loads more fun. This bedroom shows how a few well-chosen accessories can make for a pretty and inviting space.
Tell us
Has this story been helpful? Like it, share it, bookmark it or tell us how in the Comments below. Join the conversation.
More
Read more decorating stories
Inky indigos, gunmetal greys and midnight blacks have never been more popular. If you’ve been tempted by their elegance and drama, but they’re making your room feel a little closed-in, here’s how to dump the dungeon feeling.
What to do: Good lighting is essential to reveal the tonal complexities in deep, saturated darks. Multiple light sources allow you to control the ambience and light direction. Combine uplights and downlights and don’t let the ceiling disappear into gloom. The bedside lights shown here, for example, make the most of a sophisticated blue-black wall.
Also, bear in mind that an over-furnished room will seem more cave-like than one that’s simply furnished. Clear out clutter and non-essential furniture.