Choosing the right décor for your home can be a tough job, but it's rewarding when you select items that fit perfectly into your home style.
Decorating can be a headache, though, especially if it's done the hard way.
Here are 10 common decorating mistakes which, if avoided, will mean you can enjoy a much easier spring clean of your interior decoration.
Not measuring
The old adage "measure twice, cut once" doesn't just apply to building and carpentry. It's a rookie mistake to fall in love with a piece of furniture and buy it on the spot, only to find out it doesn't fit your space (or through your front door) when you get it home.
If you know what you're looking for and where you want to put it, measure the space at home and then measure the piece of furniture so you can make sure your new purchase will fit perfectly.
Not testing furniture you plan to sit on
It can be tempting to purchase a beautiful lounge as soon as you see it but, if you don't try it out first, you may be in for an uncomfortable seat at home.
No matter what type of seating – be it armchairs, dining chairs or kitchen stools – make sure you test them out by actually sitting on them before you buy.
Not trying out samples at home before buying
The paint may look great in the shop, but your lighting at home will almost certainly be different so the beautiful paint may look less great in your house.
By testing out a small patch first, not only can you figure out if the particular shade suits your house, you can see what the paint looks like at different times of the day.
Buying everything from the one shop
It's easier to buy everything in the one shop but you run the risk of ending up with a home that looks as if it came straight out of a catalogue.
If you spend the time to browse other shops and buy different pieces in alternative styles, you'll end up with a much more unique look.
Buying everything in one go
Shopping for an entire room in one go is exhausting, which means you might settle for something you don't necessarily love because you feel you have to get it done.
Buy the absolute essentials first and then give yourself time to find other pieces, like side tables or rugs, so you find items that you truly love.
Making lighting an afterthought
It might be on the bottom of your list of priorities, but lighting can make or break the mood and general feeling of your space.
Thinking about the space, and how you use it, will help you decide what sort of lighting will suit, be it floor lamps, table lamps, down lights, statement light pendants or wall-mounted lighting.
Letting someone else talk you into buying a piece
Personal taste is just that – personal. So, if a sales rep or a friend is trying to convince you to buy something you're unsure of, stick to your guns. After all, you're the one who will have to live with the piece in your home.
Not inspecting antiques or vintage pieces carefully
A bit of wear and tear is to be expected when buying second-hand, especially if it's a vintage or antique piece.
Just make sure before you hand over any money that you check the piece all over to make sure you're aware of any damage and you know exactly what you're buying.
Going overboard with bright paint and decorations
The bright yellow paint might seem like a fabulous idea, but bold colours can become tiring quickly and bright or patterned decorative items can have the same effect.
Have a good think about how often you're willing to repaint, or how much you really love that colour before you go out and buy paint that really stands out
Buying all your wood furniture in the one shade
It feels safe to buy furniture that all has the same wood stain, however too much of the one colour can become too matchy-matchy.
Don't be scared to buy wood items in different colours, because the contrast will add depth and colour to your space.
Purchasing super trendy pieces
Sure, it might be the must-have "it" piece of the season but, unless you're prepared to buy new furnishings on a regular basis, it might be worth having a think about whether it's a piece that will stand the test of time, or if it will be out of fashion in a flash.
