Avoid These 15 Outdated Decor Blunders That Are Making Your Home Look Unappealing

Does your home feel a little older than you’d like? It’s often small decor choices that can make a space look dated without you even noticing. Things like outdated colors or having too much clutter can take away from a fresh and modern look. The good news is that once you spot these issues, they’re usually easy to fix. Here are some common decor mistakes that might be making your home feel older.

Overloading on Trends

While it’s tempting to incorporate the latest trends into your home decor, overdoing it can lead to a lack of cohesiveness in your space. Instead, aim for a timeless and balanced design by mixing trendy elements with classic pieces.

Overcrowding Spaces

Overcrowding spaces with furniture and decor can make a room feel cramped and chaotic. It’s important to balance having enough furniture for functionality and leaving enough open space for flow and movement. Avoid filling every inch of the room and instead focus on creating a harmonious layout with proper spacing between furniture pieces.

Hanging Artwork Too High or Too Low

Improperly hung artwork can throw off the balance of a room and make the space feel disjointed. Artwork should be hung at eye level, typically around 57-60 inches from the floor to the center of the piece. This ensures that the artwork relates well to the furniture and maintains a comfortable viewing height for most people.

Poor Lighting Choices

Insufficient or harsh lighting can negatively impact a room’s ambiance and hinder the overall decor. To create a well-lit and inviting space, it’s essential to incorporate a mix of lighting sources, including ambient, task, and accent lighting. Additionally, dimmer switches provide flexibility in lighting to suit different moods and occasions.

Going Wild with Wallpaper Designs

Too much wallpaper can overwhelm a space and make it chaotic and busy. It can also make a room feel smaller and closed in. Additionally, if the wallpaper has a bold or busy pattern, using too much of it can be visually overwhelming and make it difficult to focus on other elements in the room. Using wallpaper sparingly and strategically creates a balanced and cohesive design.

Ignoring the Entryway

The entryway is an important part of the house and usually sets the tone for the rest of the home, yet it’s often overlooked in decor. Neglecting the entryway can make the first impression of your home underwhelming. Adding elements such as a console table, mirror, and functional storage can create an inviting and organized entry space that welcomes guests into your home.

Matching Everything

While matching furniture sets can convey a sense of cohesion, going overboard with matching everything can result in a lack of visual interest and personality in your decor. Instead, aim to mix and match furniture and decor pieces to create a well-curated and eclectic look that reflects your style. Embracing variety and contrast adds depth and character to your home decor.

Forgetting About Storage

Need to remember that storage can lead to a cluttered and disorganized space. Adequate storage solutions can leave items in the open, making the space chaotic. Integrate storage solutions such as built-in shelving, floating shelves, baskets, and multifunctional furniture to keep your home organized and visually appealing.

Using Rugs That Are Too Small

Using undersized rugs can make a room feel cohesive and balanced. Too small of a rug may visually shrink the space and fail to tie the room together. Opt for large rugs to anchor the primary furniture in a room, ensuring that all the essential pieces sit on the carpet or have their front legs, creating a cohesive and well-defined area.

Using Cheap Materials

Using cheap materials can detract from your home decor’s overall quality and aesthetic. Low-quality materials may appear worn and unattractive over time, impacting your space’s overall look and feel. Invest in higher-quality materials for key decor elements such as furniture, textiles, and accessories to elevate your decor’s visual appeal and longevity.

Choosing the Wrong Paint Colors

Choosing the wrong paint colors can significantly impact a room’s overall atmosphere. Opting for colors that are either too bold or too drab can create an inviting or manageable space. Take the time to select paint colors that complement the lighting, furnishings, and mood you want to achieve in each room, ensuring a cohesive and visually pleasing color palette.

Neglecting Outdoor Spaces

Neglecting outdoor spaces can result in missed opportunities to extend the livable areas of your home. Outdoor spaces often serve as extensions of indoor living spaces and should be given as much attention as the interior. Consider adding outdoor furniture, greenery, lighting, and decor to create inviting and functional outdoor areas that complement the overall aesthetic of your home.

Wrong Color Pairing

Picking colors that clash can make your home feel chaotic and uninviting. Try to stick to a color palette that flows well throughout your space. Using a color wheel can help you find combinations that look great together. When in doubt, go with neutral tones and add pops of color for a balanced, stylish look.

Outdated Decor

Hanging onto old decor can really date your home. Refresh your space with current styles and trends to keep it modern and vibrant. Swap out those old, worn-out items for something fresh and contemporary. Small changes, like new throw pillows or updated wall art, can make a big difference. Don’t be afraid to try new trends to give your home a fresh, up-to-date vibe.

Heavy, Dark Drapes

Heavy, dark drapes can make a room feel small and closed off, reducing the amount of natural light that enters the space. This lack of light can create a gloomy atmosphere, often associated with outdated decor styles. Additionally, dark drapes can dominate a room’s aesthetic, limiting your ability to introduce other colors and patterns that might refresh the space. In modern decor, the trend leans towards lighter, airier fabrics that allow for better light flow and a more open feel.

More For You

While trying to avoid making mistakes in your decor, consider decorating your fireplace by adding flowers, exotic leaves, and aromatic herbs to infuse a refreshing and inviting aroma into your living space. You can also place decorative lanterns, candles, or fairy lights on the mantel to create a warm and cozy ambiance during summer evenings.

This article was first published on the RB ITALIA Blog.