Image via Complex Original
Whether you're trying to make a new place feel more like home, or you're just trying to revamp your pad, decorating your apartment can feel like a daunting task. Let's face it: there's a lot that can go wrong. Luckily for you, though, we asked some of the best people in the interior design industry—ranging from top designers to gallery owners—to help us out and drop some knowledge on what not to do when dressing up your crib. Read on to find out the 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Decorating Your Apartment.
Jon Call, Interior Designer, Mr Call Designs
Don't use too many small-scale pieces.
"This goes against conventional wisdom, but trust me, fewer pieces of furniture at a larger scale will make your space feel much bigger."
Oliver M. Furth, Interior Designer, Oliver M. Furth
Avoid being too trendy.
"Designing one’s home is akin to what I call 'visual biography.' This is a process of exploration and should result in something totally unique and totally you. People make mistakes when falling for trends that have nothing to do with them or their house/apartment. Your home should be timeless, not trendy. It should reflect your taste and lifestyle, not some decorator. These are images of my former apartment—my own 'visual biography,' so to speak. It was located in a historic 1920s building on Fountain Avenue in Hollywood."
Harry Heissmann, Interior Designer, Harry Heissmann Inc
Don't forget the ceiling.
"I've noticed that most people forget the 'fifth wall,' meaning the ceiling, in their decorating. The ceiling can receive a color paint (preferably with a little sheen), wallpaper (which helps in smaller rooms or rooms without crown molding, where you can run the paper up the walls and across the ceiling), or a special treatment with foil or tea paper cut in squares."
Eric Cohler, Interior Designer, Eric Cohler Design
Try not to ignore measurements and scale.
"The most common mistake in decorating—whether an apartment or house—is ignoring scale and measurements. I learned this myself the hard way when my first sofa purchase after college almost gobbled up my living room. The piece was so wide, and the room so small, that I became adept at pole vaulting over the sofa to reach my kitchen. Learn from my youthful but easily avoidable mistake; make sure to measure a room, including doorways, before making a purchase. You don't want an unwelcome surprise when the sofa won't fit through the front door. Likewise, make sure to test a template of large furniture, such as media cabinets, sofas, and tables, ahead of time. I recommend taping together newsprint to approximate furniture dimensions and then laying it out in the room. Works every time."
Evan Snyderman and Zesty Meyers, Co-Founders, R & Company
Don't overlook investment pieces.
"Don't be afraid to take risks and buy what you like. Think about your purchases as part of your collection as opposed to just buying for today. Spending more on an item you might want to own forever will bring you far greater return in the long term."
