Searching the internet or local furniture stores for interior design ideas to enhance your living space is common. However, it’s equally easy to make inadvertent mistakes that can give your home an undesirable appearance. In fact, you might have decor items in your home at this very moment that are detracting from its overall appeal.
Continue reading to discover enlightening examples of what to avoid in order to ensure your home maintains a vibrant and tasteful atmosphere.
Futons are really outdated
Futons can be functional in certain situations. They work well for individuals with limited space, budget constraints, or those embarking on their first home decor journey. However, if you’re seeking to elevate your living space, it might be time to bid farewell to the futon. Often, they give off a cheap appearance and lack comfort. To avoid an unsophisticated look in your room, consider replacing the futon with a more stylish and comfortable seating option.
Futons are typically an item that many people outgrow once their twenties and college days are behind them.
Live, Laugh, Love Signs Are Just Cheesy and Cliché
The “live, laugh, love” signs and decor items have become quite cliché and cheesy in recent years. While the sentiment is positive, using this common slogan in home decor can make your space look unoriginal and overdone. To add a touch of sophistication to your home, consider opting for more unique and personalized artwork instead of relying on generic catchphrases that have been used countless times.
Inexpensive word art may be popular due to its affordability, but if you’re aiming to elevate your home decor, it’s best to avoid this type of decoration entirely.
Plastic Storage Can Look Cheap
Storage solutions are a common challenge in daily life. Achieving a well-organized, stylish, and charming home can be challenging when space is limited. While cheap plastic bins and drawers may seem like convenient options, if you can invest in alternatives, it’s advisable. Plastic storage can give a space an inexpensive and classroom-like appearance, which is not the desired outcome in home decor.
But don’t worry; there’s no need to discard them! You can simply reserve these types of storage bins for use in closets or garages, where they remain hidden from view.
Messy Cables Are Unsightly
Cables are often overlooked as part of home decor. However, when left exposed, they can inadvertently detract from your interior design. The resulting mess can disrupt the visual harmony of your space. To maintain a tidy look, consider using cable organizers to bundle and conceal them. Hiding cables under furniture is another effective way to keep them out of sight.
Here’s a straightforward tip that can quickly enhance the appearance of your home. When cables are neatly organized and concealed, your living space instantly looks cleaner, more organized, and more appealing. Don’t hesitate—start hiding those cables now!
Shag Rugs are Outdated
Let’s leave shag rugs in the 70s where they belong. These relics from the 1960s and 70s, once deemed groovy, now tend to give your living room a dated and unappealing appearance. If you’re aiming to elevate your living space, consider swapping out the shag rug for a more contemporary alternative.
To achieve a trendy and sophisticated look in your home while avoiding an allergen haven, it’s essential to replace these outdated carpets promptly.
Ditch the Plastic Couch Covers
Plastic couch covers might seem like a practical choice to protect your valuable sofas, especially with pets or kids around. However, they can quickly detract from the overall aesthetics of your home, making your elegant sofa appear less attractive and more budget-oriented. To enhance your home’s appearance, it’s advisable to remove the plastic covers and let your couch breathe freely.
If your ultimate goal is to transform your home into an interior design haven, then saying goodbye to those plastic couch covers is a smart choice.
Give Up on DIY Furniture Projects
Bid farewell to your DIY furniture projects. Although they can be a fun hobby and add a personal touch to your home, they often result in furniture that lacks the reliability and sturdiness of professionally made pieces. For example, stacking wooden crates as a TV console may seem charming at first, but pallets tend to lack the durability and polished appearance that quality furniture offers. Interior designers typically recommend investing in professionally crafted pieces for a more refined look.
Creating DIY furniture from wooden crates is perfect for holiday parties and special occasions, adding a unique and budget-friendly touch to your decor. However, for everyday use, it’s wiser to invest in a sturdy, professionally crafted piece of furniture that offers long-term durability and a more refined look.
Kitchenware Racks Can Make Your Kitchen Appear Cluttered
Using kitchenware racks to hang pans, pots, and utensils might seem like a clever space-saving solution for a small kitchen, but it can actually create a cluttered and unpolished appearance. To maintain an organized and appealing kitchen design, consider alternative storage solutions that keep your space tidy and functional.
It’s best to keep kitchenware out of sight. Storing it in a cupboard or storage bin is ideal, while making it the main focus of the kitchen through hanging is a design choice to steer clear of.
Matching Couches and Curtains: An Outdated Design Choice
Matching curtains and couches, once a hot design trend, have become outdated and should be left in the past. To update your home decor, consider upgrading your curtains instead of investing in a costly new couch. Choose solid curtains that complement your couch’s color scheme for a fresh look.
A living room that’s excessively coordinated can appear overwhelming and lacking in style. However, you can easily remedy this with some simple changes in your home decor.
Animal Skulls Are Not very aesthetic
Animal skulls, a once-popular wall decor choice, have now fallen out of favor. Whether they serve as hunting trophies or souvenirs, they can create an intimidating and awkward atmosphere in your living space.
Several interior designers advise against using animal skulls as decor items. Instead, consider decorating with framed posters or artwork for a more appealing look.
French Country Style Is Not In
The French country style, once a popular choice in home design, has fallen out of fashion. While this style exudes a feminine and antique charm, it now comes across as outdated and can give your home a cheap or cluttered appearance, which may not align with modern design trends.
While French country-inspired home decor items may be fitting for those residing in the French countryside, for others, this traditional interior design style can come across as outdated and tacky for modern homes.
Faux Plants Do Not Look Like Real Plants
Decorating your home with plants can be a bit challenging. Natural plants demand dedicated care and attention to maintain their vitality and beauty. While it may require additional effort and maintenance, resorting to filling your home with artificial plants isn’t the ideal solution. According to most interior designers, it’s challenging to find faux plants that convincingly mimic the real thing, and more often than not, they can make your home decor appear inexpensive.
If you’re up for an enjoyable challenge, decorating with live plants is a rewarding choice. Who knows, you might uncover a hidden green thumb within you.
Bold Statement Walls Are Just Too Much
If your style is bold, fun, and colorful, it can be tempting to fill your walls with items that reflect your personality. However, it’s important not to go too overboard with your design choices. While you want your home to reflect your unique style, neon colors and busy wallpaper patterns can easily overwhelm the space and give it a gimmicky and chaotic appearance.
If you have a penchant for bold aesthetics, consider keeping your walls simple and opt for bold decor items instead. This approach makes your space more versatile and allows for easier redecoration as your style evolves over the years.
All White Everything Is Truly Boring
White walls have a timeless appeal, and incorporating a white rug or couch can be a bold yet elegant choice. However, there’s a fine line between stylish and excessive. An all-white interior can give off a sterile and budget-conscious vibe. To create a more inviting and comfortable atmosphere, it’s advisable to introduce pops of color into your living space. This not only adds a trendy touch but also elevates the overall aesthetic to a higher level of sophistication.
So if you want people to know you have good taste, fill your space with only one or two white items, like a coffee table and tv console. Then let the rest of your decor and furniture be accent colors to bring richness to the room.
Mason Jars Shouldn’t Be Decoration
Repurposing items is a wonderful way to embrace sustainability and unleash your creativity. Mason jars are versatile objects for such projects, but they should be used thoughtfully. Mason jar decorations can add a creative and playful touch to holiday celebrations, parties, and special occasions. However, using them as year-round, primary decor might not be the most stylish choice, as it can potentially give your home a tacky and budget-conscious appearance.
Mason jars serve as excellent storage containers, but using them excessively for decoration can give your home an unpolished appearance. To maintain a tasteful and refined look, it’s best to use them sparingly in your decor.
Famous Artwork Reproductions Are Cheesy
Replicas of famous artwork by renowned artists like Monet, Van Gogh, and Picasso are widely available, printed on various items like pillows, tapestries, and posters. While it may be tempting to incorporate these iconic pieces into your home decor, it often results in a kitschy and budget-oriented appearance that detracts from the overall aesthetic.
Why might this be an ill-advised design choice? The prevalence of these replicas of famous art makes them overly common, and their status as copies rather than originals can detract from their appeal.
One of a Kind Lamps Are Not A Great Look
One-of-a-kind lamps may not always yield the best aesthetic results. Lighting is a crucial aspect of home decor, but sometimes people choose unusual lamps that can diminish the overall value of their home’s appearance. It’s wiser to invest in beautiful, well-designed lighting fixtures to elevate the look of your living space rather than opt for eccentric lamps that may appear tacky.
So, rather than opting for lamps that resemble doll heads or legs, opt for a simpler, more elegant design that includes the right bulb color, and you’ll have a well-rounded lighting solution for your home.
Blanket Ladders Are Not Really Practical
It’s time to recognize another common interior design mistake: blanket ladders. While they may seem like a practical addition to your living room, offering easy access to blankets when you’re feeling chilly on the couch, they can actually make your space appear outdated and gimmicky. If you aim for a more elegant and upscale home decor, it’s best to remove these items.
If you insist on keeping blankets readily available, a more stylish approach is to choose blankets that complement your furniture, fold them neatly, and leave them on the couch. This way , you maintain both practicality and aesthetics.
Ruffled Furniture Skirts Are Not A Great Look
Ruffled furniture skirts are a trend that you should steer clear of. While many people may still have these from decades ago, if you’re considering redecorating your home, it’s the perfect time to make a change. Ruffled skirts can give your home an old-fashioned and outdated appearance. Even if you’re a grandparent, there are more modern design choices to consider. It’s time to say goodbye to this vintage trend.
Furniture skirts are overly formal for spaces like the living room or kitchen, so it’s best to let go of this trend to achieve interior design success.
Stay Away From Glass Furniture
Avoid glass furniture at all costs. While it had its heyday from the 1970s to the 1990s, it’s now considered outdated and high-maintenance. When redecorating, steer clear of glass tables and cabinets, as they tend to get dirty quickly and no longer align with modern interior design trends.
Glass furniture is known for its smudges, and unless you’re up for constant cleaning, it can make your home appear perpetually dirty – a look to avoid at all costs.
Small Rugs Can Make Your Room Look Weird
Opting for a rug that’s too small for your space is a common decorating mistake that can make your room appear awkward and out of place. It’s important to choose a rug that’s appropriately sized to elevate your room’s overall look.
To ensure your rug is the right size, make sure it accommodates your entire couch and still leaves enough room for the rug to be visible around it in your living room.
Outdated Chintz Wallpaper
Chintz wallpaper may have its charm, particularly in Victorian museums or upscale hotels. But how does it fare in your home? According to interior designers, it’s best to avoid this trend when decorating your own space. Over time, it can give your room a dated appearance and make it challenging to incorporate other decor elements without causing clashes or overcrowding.
Chintz wallpaper tends to give off a dated vibe, making it seem like your home hasn’t seen a redecoration in years. Opting for a classic white wall is a timeless choice if you’re aiming for a more modern and refreshed look.
Decorating with Shot Glasses Gives a Dorm-Like Vibe
Displaying shot glasses as part of your home decor can give off a dormitory-like vibe. While collections can be fun and nostalgic, certain items like shot glasses may not be the best choice for prominent display. This decor choice is more commonly associated with college students’ apartments, so as an adult, it’s better to keep them tucked away rather than on display.
Collecting shot glasses, especially those from various countries you’ve visited, can be a fascinating hobby. However, using them as decor may not be the most stylish choice.
Pallet Furniture Looks Unfinished
Creating furniture from wooden boards or pallets can be a fun DIY project. However, as everyday furniture, it tends to appear unfinished and low-quality. For a more aesthetically pleasing and sturdy option, consider investing in a solid wooden table instead and reserve the wooden pallets for DIY projects.
The next time you’re in the market for furniture, remember this tip to ensure your room avoids looking tacky and cheap.
Time To Rethink That Overstuffed Recliner
It’s time to reconsider those overstuffed recliners. You’ve likely seen parodies of these chairs in TV shows and movies, with features like cup holders, built-in refrigerators, or even a fully functioning toilet. In reality, these chairs have always been bulky and overly complex, often requiring considerable effort to operate with a large lever on the side.
While it might be our dad’s go-to chair for a cozy nap, these recliners aren’t exactly elevating the style of your living room. Consider replacing it with a comfortable chair that lacks all the complex machinery for a stylish upgrade.
Matching Couch Cushions Are Uninspiring
Matching couch cushions can be rather uninspiring. Since couches tend to be quite large and often in neutral colors, choosing pillows that match or closely resemble the couch can result in a dull and monochromatic look. The purpose of pillows is to add splashes of color and complement the furniture, not blend into it.
To create a stylish and trendy living room, be sure to adorn your space with pillows that complement the overall decor, adding a touch of charm and fashion.
Barn Doors Belong on Farms Rather Than Inside a Home
Barn doors, often used as decorative interior doors in homes, have been a trendy choice for many homeowners. They are typically installed in entryways or used as room dividers. However, this trend, while aiming for a rustic and unique feel, often results in a bulky and jarring appearance. To maintain a timeless look in your home, consider opting for a conventional door instead of following this trend.
Creating a farmhouse aesthetic in your home can risk becoming outdated, and the installation of a barn door might end up being more inconvenient than stylish. It’s essential to strike a balance between trendy and practical design choices.
Don’t Crowd Your Space With A Lot Of Trinkets
Avoid overcrowding your space with excessive trinkets. While it’s natural to cherish personal items like antiques and family memorabilia, cluttering your shelves and tables with too many decor pieces can overwhelm your room. Décor should enhance your space, not suffocate it.
Displaying a few carefully chosen trinkets can provide a charming personal touch to a room, showcasing your personality and infusing life into the space.
Tapestries Are for College Kids Only
Tapestries, known for their vibrant and busy patterns, can certainly add a lively touch to any room, but they tend to be more popular among college students. As you transition into adulthood and seek a more sophisticated home decor style, investing in actual wall art is a wise choice.
Rather than using tapestries to decorate your walls, consider options like floating shelves, plants, mirrors, or framed artwork. These choices will help you achieve a more mature and sophisticated look for your space.
Frame Your Posters if You’re Not A teenager Anymore
If you’ve moved beyond your high school years, it’s time to rethink how you display your posters. While covering your walls with taped-up posters was cool in your teenage days, it can appear childish or inexpensive as an adult. However, you can still decorate with movie and band posters in a trendy and sophisticated way. All it takes is framing your posters with solid white, gold, or black frames and hanging them properly on your wall.
By framing your posters and displaying them thoughtfully, you can continue to celebrate your passion for music and cinema, transforming your wall into an iconic and stylish showcase, rather than a tacky display.
Color-Changing Lights Can Appear Juvenile
Opt for lighting that enhances the ambiance of your home without appearing juvenile. Consider lamps with adjustable brightness or the warm glow of candles to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere, rather than resorting to LED lights that mimic a nightclub vibe.
Opting for colorful lights in your home may not be the best choice for long-term design appeal. To keep your home decor up to date, it’s advisable to avoid this trend.
Wood Paneling Can Really Look old
Wood paneling, while often chosen for its rustic charm, can easily give your home an unwelcoming cabin-like appearance rather than a sophisticated design. It’s essential to strike a balance between uniqueness and style when decorating your home, and sometimes it’s best to leave your walls untouched.
Adding wood panels to your walls can be an unnecessary expense. Consider leaving your walls as they are and allocating your budget to more valuable home decor investments.
Skip the Bookcase Wallpaper and Buy Real Books
Instead of opting for bookshelf-patterned wallpaper, consider investing in real books or bookshelves if space and budget allow. Wallpaper illusions can appear cheap and unsatisfying, not suitable for your home decor.
Instead of going for the illusion of bookshelves with wallpaper, consider installing real shelves and filling them with actual books. This will not only add character to your home but also create an inviting atmosphere.
Too Many Patterns Can Be Overwhelming
Having a maximalist home decor style can be fun, but it’s essential to strike a balance. While you don’t have to eliminate all colors and patterns, be selective in your choices. Too many patterns and colors can make your home appear chaotic and overwhelming.
Incorporating a few complementary colors and one or two well-coordinated patterns can add vibrancy to your decor. However, going beyond that may push your style from chic to garish.
Windows Without Drapes Are for Exhibitionists
Leaving your windows bare without curtains or drapes might lead to excessive sunlight, glare, and a lack of privacy. To strike a balance, consider adding window treatments that allow you to control the lighting and maintain your privacy while still enjoying natural light when desired.
Leaving your windows uncovered invites potential onlookers into your home at any time, compromising your privacy. To address this, consider investing in stylish curtains or drapes that enhance both privacy and aesthetics, providing an elegant solution.
Wooden Mallards Are Outdated
Collecting wooden mallards may have been a tradition for some, but in modern interior design, they have lost their appeal. These dated duck decorations don’t add any charm to your home; instead, they make it seem old-fashioned and cluttered. To give your space a fresh look, consider retiring these mallards from your decor.
Now that you’re aware that wooden mallards are not in vogue, you can explore new home decor options that reflect your keen eye for interior design.
Too Many Cushions Are Impractical and Silly
When it comes to decorating a couch, it’s common to see blankets or pillows, or sometimes both! However, a common mistake is to overcrowd the couch with an excess of pillows. Some may believe that the more pillows, the more stylish the living room becomes. In reality, it’s quite the opposite. Depending on your couch’s size, two to three pillows are ample – any more can seem impractical and excessive.
Having your couch completely covered in cushions and pillows is impractical unless you never intend for anyone to actually sit on it.
Big Mouth Billy Bass Is Not It
Big Mouth Billy Bass, the singing fish wall plaque from the 1990s, was once a common household item that many desired. However, in today’s decor landscape, it’s no longer a popular choice and can detract from your home’s overall aesthetic. It’s advisable to remove it from your walls and consider selling it.
It’s not the most aesthetically pleasing decoration, and there are certainly more attractive options to adorn your walls with.
All in Gold Is Really Tasteless
While gold accents can add a touch of elegance, an all-gold interior design can easily become overwhelming and brash. Instead of going all-in with gold, consider incorporating smaller gold decor items for a more balanced and tasteful look.
Your home shouldn’t resemble a museum filled with excessive glitz and glam. Avoid covering your house entirely in gold or any single color; instead, opt for a more balanced and diverse decor palette.
Fluorescent Lighting Is Not Made for a Cozy Home
Fluorescent lighting is typically found in commercial settings like hotels, healthcare facilities, grocery stores, and parking garages, not in cozy homes. It lacks the warm and comforting atmosphere that a home should have. If you have fluorescent lighting in your home, consider replacing it for a more inviting ambiance.
Fluorescent lighting is harsh and intense, which doesn’t create the cozy atmosphere you want in your home. Opt for soft white lights to achieve a warm and inviting ambiance.
