The Seven Most Common Home Decorating Mistakes—Plus, How to Avoid Them

Decorating your home isn't as simple as creating a Pinterest board. There are so many factors that can get between you and your dream space—and we're not just talking about selecting the wrong fabric or hanging your drapes too low; instead, we mean things like the overwhelming number of decisions you have to make that can ultimately cause you to question your vision and make mistakes. One of the easiest ways to get out of your own head is by making simple shifts in mindset. To do that, make sure you're well aware of the most common decorating mistakes homeowners make, then learn how to avoid them.

Related: How to Create a Vision Board

Not Trusting Yourself

So many of us don't listen to our own instincts when decorating. We value other people's voices and opinions more than our own. While some experts can offer excellent advice, no one knows your style better than you. If you want to paint your dining room fuchsia, then do it! Your home is for you. You don't need anyone's permission or approval to make it your own. Next time you're feeling torn, make sure the voice in your own head is the loudest one and follow your gut.

Rushing Through the Process

Rushing causes hasty design decisions that you may regret later. Use as much time as you need when decorating your home. It may feel like an inconvenience to slow down or pause the process altogether, but remember that it's your and decorating should be done on your schedule. Sometimes the best things take a little extra time. If you're feeling pressured to make decisions, give yourself permission to take time off—set a timeframe for when you'll come back to make the final decision, then come back to it when you're feeling less pressured.

Striving for Perfection

No one needs a perfect house. In fact, a perfect house doesn't even exist. If you strive for the perfect home—perfect sheets, perfect wall color, perfect dishes—you will inevitably find yourself disappointed when you realize that perfection is just an illusion. Dishes break, sheets get worn, and walls need to be repainted. Embrace the real, not the perfect. It's the imperfections that make a house a home.

Playing It Safe

Don't be afraid to take a few risks. Risk-taking is magic making. Buy that quirky rainbow ottoman with brass claw feet. Paint your ceiling black. Hang a sparkly pink chandelier in your kitchen. Infuse your home with fearless decisions. If you try something and hate it, at least you tried. Being brave is character building, for both you and your home. If you're on the fence about a bold decision, encourage yourself to make it. You can always make adjustments as you go.

Letting Your Budget Keep You From Creating

Home decorating can be expensive, but it doesn't have to be. Don't shy away from decorating because you think you can't afford it. Shop at secondhand stores. Make your own art. Repurpose and recycle items already in your home. Not having a huge home decorating budget can be a blessing in disguise because it forces you to be extra creative. And, when in doubt, remember that a fresh coat of paint is one of the most affordable ways to revamp any room.

Not Putting in the Work

Decorating requires work, but the good news is that it's the good kind of work. You get out of it what you put into it. If you don't put in much, your house is not going to feel like much of a home. Even if you work with a design professional, you still need to be involved in design decisions. Otherwise, your designer will most likely decorate according to her own tastes, but not in a way that's authentic to you.

Taking It All Too Seriously

Although decorating can be stressful sometimes, it's important to keep a sense of fun and humor throughout the process. If a home is made in the spirit of joy, if will feel joyful. And who doesn't want a joyful home? So lighten up and smile. Your home will smile back.

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