Common Design Mistakes

Recently I was interviewed on a local television show; I’ll share this interview with you soon. The host of the show asked me a question, “what are the most common design mistakes that you see people make in their homes?

The truth is, there are several very common mistakes that I see when I go into people’s homes. I don’t always consider poor design choices mistakes because I believe anytime someone is trying to improve their home, it’s a great thing and a great way to learn. However, for a busy homeowner that doesn’t have the time or extra funds to experiment and learn by experimentation, some professional advice or a professionally designed project is always the best way to go.
Unfortunately, because of reality TV, homeowners are led to believe that the solving of their design issues is very simple as long as they buy specific products and use generic design ideas. No wonder homeowners are not getting the results that they want. They are confused and led to believe that they could quickly and easily achieve the equivalent of high-end design.

broken floor tile
Add rich color.

Here are some of the most common things that I see:

ONE

Trying to fit too much into a space. Most people do not have a great idea of spatial awareness and can visualize how much space an item will take up in a room. Therefore, when homeowners are doing projects independently, they vastly overestimate the number of items that can go into a room and the size of those items. Proper spatial planning involves knowing the exact size of items you’re bringing into a space and the amount of room you need for clearances for traffic flow and maneuverability. The amount of room and space that it takes to live in a room around the items you put into the room leads to buying expensive furniture pieces that do not fit and do not function well in your home. These are problematic errors to correct, as it usually involves replacing pieces or changing the design of a room to Accommodate these poorly oversized items.

TWO

Conflicting design ideas. This is another common mistake I can see. People are over-exposed to so many different ideas, design trends, and products for their homes. Design ideas are like tools; You must know which ideas to use and when to use them. If I have a specific design challenge that I’m trying to solve in a space, I know which design ideas will accomplish this as an experienced professional. Homeowners often have access to design tools but don’t know how to execute these ideas we needed properly. For instance, not every home needs an accent wall or crown molding. These are great design details and tools that I use when I’m trying to create something specific. Also, not every design idea should go into a home. Homeowners are confused; the media and corporations are trying to sell products to homeowners trying to solve their design issues. The problem is purchases do not solve some design problems. The result is homeowners are purchasing items for their homes more than ever, but not necessarily solving their design problems.

THREE

Purchasing products too soon. This is quite common as everyone is excited when they take on a new project. A well-executed design project involves thorough and exact planning well before products are purchased. When this step is skipped, the desired results are always compromised. A complete and detailed design plan prepared by a professional will eliminate design errors, and you will be able to draw from the years of experience of a pro. This will give you the desired finished product, a beautiful and functional room, without purchasing items that you regret buying.

Until Next Time,
Gia

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Gia Milazzo Smith Interior Designer near Princeton MA
Gia

Interior Designer Gia Milazzo Smith has created homes individually tailored to each client across New England. She is the recipient of multiple awards, including Best of Houzz for multiple years, and one of her showhouses has been published in Coastal Home magazine. Read More About Gia Milazzo Smith.