The Do’s and Don’ts of Home Decorating: Basic Tips for Getting It Right
Avoid common decorating mistakes with these do’s and don’ts of home decorating—simple, practical tips to help every room look and feel its best.
When you are updating a room or decorating your home, it can get pretty overwhelming. It’s hard to decide what to tackle first. You may wonder if it will all work together. The biggest fear of all… what if you make a mistake and it costs you money?
The truth is that decorating doesn’t have to be intimidating. Every detail doesn’t have to be perfect. It is all about creating a space that comfortable, functional and reflects who you are.
These basic do’s and don’ts of decorating will help you get started with confidence and you’ll avoid common decor missteps along the way
Do: Begin with a Plan
Before you buy one single thing, take a step back and ask yourself a few questions. Think about how the room needs to function. Will the space be for relaxing, entertaining, working or maybe a mix of all three?
Spend a little time collecting inspiration and jot down your must haves in the space. Pinterest is a great space to start, but your favorite stores and blogs (like this one!) are full of ideas. You may even want to create a decorating mood board.
Staring with a plan from the very beginning makes your decisions easier and keeps you from wasting time and money.
Don’t: Skip Measuring
We’ve all been there. We fell in love a piece and thought it “should” work. One of the biggest decorating mistakes is choosing furniture or decor that just doesn’t fit. It might be a little too tall, too wide, too small, to short. You get the idea, but quickly the whole room can begin to feel a little off.
Take the time to measure absolutely everything. Measure the wall height and width, floor space, even window widths if you are installing drapery. If you need help visualizing if will fit, mark out the piece with painter’s tape on the floor. This is such a helpful step before making an expensive commitment.
Do: Create a Functional Layout
Instead of pushing all the furniture against the wall, think about how a space will be used. Group seating around a focal point and create zones for tv, conversations, and reading.
If you have more than one focal point like I do, check out this post on what to do if your room has two focal points.
Getting the layout right is essential to making your home feel balanced, cozy and functional.
Don’t: Forget to Add Texture
A space without texture can fall a little flat, even if the color scheme is absolutely beautiful. Mix it up by using a variety of materials like cotton, linen, leather, velvet, wood, metal, woven natural fibers and glass.
I love that texture brings so much depth to a room and helps it to look so much more interesting. A few textured pillows, some throw pillows or even a basket of greenery can go a really long way.
Do: Layer Your Lighting
Do you only rely on overhead lighting in a room? It can make a room look and feel harsh. The most inviting spaces use a mix of lighting like table lamps, floor lamps, sconces and even candles.
Adding light at different heights and with dimmers for flexibility and function. A small change like this really makes a big impact in your space, especially at night.
Don’t: Hang Artwork Too High
Artwork and mirrors that are placed too high can throw off the balance of the whole room. A good rule of thumb is to center them at eye level—typically about 57″–60″ from the floor.
For more detailed guidance, take a look at this post all about how high to hang artwork and mirrors. It’s full of helpful tips to get it right every time.
Do: Add Something Personal
The most memorable rooms I’ve been in have always included something meaningful. Whether it’s a beautifully framed family photo, a vintage heirloom or something you’ve picked up during your travels, these pieces really make a statement.
It doesn’t have to be big or expensive. Just a small personal touch can make your home feel warm and collected.
Don’t: Decorate for Trends
It can be fun to stay current, but following trends too closely can date your home pretty quickly. Instead, stick with timeless basics of good decorating that include balance, comfort and proportion. Choose pieces you genuinely love and your home will always feel well styled.
Decorating your home isn’t about perfection, but about making your space feel like you. If you are starting from scratch or refreshing a room that’s been the same for years, keep these do’s and don’ts in mind.
Take it one step at a time, trust your gut and don’t be afraid to infuse your personality. You’ve got this!
