5 INTERIOR DESIGN MISTAKES TO LEARN FROM
WINGING IT
A massive mistake to make when doing an interior design project is not having a plan! Allocate time to plan and consider every aspect of the project such as style, design, layout, budget, colours and more. It is important to have a vision of the space you are going to design so that you can accomplish exactly what you wanted however also to consider the scale and how this vision is going to fit in your space alongside other pieces you may want to keep. Start with creating concept or mood boards for each space or alternatively you can do this for the overall project, think about the style, fabrics and materials you want to include as well as what furniture pieces you may want. This allows you to really begin the process of the project as you start to think about making a list of furniture pieces you need which helps prevent impulse purchases.
Experiment with samples and colours within the actual space to get a feel for the design as we have done here, during the Co-Dubai project.
Images: Space Shack
NOT HAVING BUDGET AWARENESS
Establishing a budget for your project is incredibly important as it is extremely easy to overspend on certain items and not realise which may leave you with no money for more of the important items you needed. Determine carefully how much money you have available and are comfortable with spending on your project whilst considering all other living costs. Once you have decided this it allows you to start to create your list of dreams including everything you would like done to your home whilst being realistic. Your budget allows you to start to think about which brands and company’s you may want to go for when buying items for your project to get you inspired. It is very important to establish a scope of work once you have your budget consisting of the main goal for the project and what needs to be done throughout each space. If you are hiring an interior designer they will help plan and form a scope of work for you alternatively, if you are doing the project yourself you will have to get quotes for contractors and calculate costs for furniture, supplies etc.
It is very important to sit down with your interior designer and clearly discuss your budget and outline the goal for your home.
Images: Space Shack
FAILING TO HAVE A FOCAL POINT
Allocating a focal point within your space helps to centre a room and create a beautiful feature, anchoring your space. This should be a visually eye-catching feature that draws attention allowing the eye to land somewhere as you enter a room. The focal point can be a large feature such as a statement dining table or a slightly smaller piece such as a fireplace or furniture, art piece. Once you allocate a focal point it allows you to design the space around that statement piece considering the scale of other pieces and what colours, textures and material may work alongside it. Naturally, the largest furniture piece in a room will become the main focal point such as a sofa or bed, it is important you consider the scale and layout of another piece around this focal point so that it remains as the main attraction.
In our Russel Square project, we chose a colourful abstract artwork piece as a focal point above the sofa to give that statement pop of colour.
Images: Space Shack
CLUTTER & HEIRLOOMS ON DISPLAY
Less is more! Simplicity is key within interior design. Try to declutter and detox, let go of all those old heirlooms you have been holding onto for ages that just don’t work within your space anymore. Allow the more unique statement pieces to stand on their own becoming more eye-catching and appealing to the eye. Keep everything tidier and play on styling some décor pieces which you may have on display, consider the scale and balance for these items working with small and large pieces horizontally. Access, where clutter begins to occur within your space and come up with solutions to help, organise the mess. For example, if keys and letters begin to become piled up by the front door add in a basket or storage box to keep the clutter stored away and tidy.
You can see the beautiful use of balance and simplicity here with how we have carefully styled these oak shelves, allowing each individual piece to stand out and be a statement.
Images: Space Shack
OVERCROWDING
Overcrowding can be an easily made mistake in interior design as you may not realise it taking place because you feel you want to use all furniture or décor pieces. Quickly your space becomes cramped and over the top as well as difficult to move around in. You want the functionality and balance of your space to be consistent. Free space is very important within your design as this allows not only you to move around easily but also allows statement pieces to become more of a feature, making your space more aesthetically pleasing. When allocating furniture and décor pieces around your home it is important you keep balance and proportion in mind. Overcrowding can also occur through colour, if you have bright and vibrant pieces all together in one corner it will become too much and give off an overcrowded. This also distracts from the beauty these pieces may have as well as distracting from other furniture or décor pieces surrounding them. Decide on pieces you feel are unique and work together within a space, creating a more spacious, simplistic and consistent design.
It is especially important not to overcrowd when designing within a small space, during this project in Earls Court we kept the large furniture pieces to a minimum only using this bold green sofa as a statement piece.
Images: Space Shack
If you take into consideration these points you should be up to a great start with your next interior design project,
Love Omar x
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