Part of decorating is recognizing the design challenges that exist in your home. Every home has them! The key is to figure out how to deal with them. Here are some of the five most common design dilemmas and tips for how to fix them.
Design challenges – we all have them in one form or another. Even though I’ve had homes custom built along with having had homes that I’ve fully remodeled, no room is ever perfect – there’s always something that you have to figure out how to decorate around.
I’ve actually been writing about this very subject for a looong time – since 2011! In fact, my whole mission for this blog is to inspire your creativity to help you create the home of your dreams and to provide you with the know-how to make it happen. So….let’s talk about the five most common challenges and how to turn them from a problem into a bonus.
Unless you’re a looong time reader, you may not know about all of the solutions that I already researched and posted about. So, let’s revisit the most common dilemmas and learn how you can solve them. Simply click on the enlarged text to read the full post and learn more.
HOW TO DEAL WITH MULTIPLE FOCAL POINTS
You know that thing that your eye automatically goes to when you enter a room? That’s considered a focal point and every room needs one. That thing can be a fireplace, large window, built-in bookcase, a large furniture piece, a headboard, even a big ole blank wall. The problem arises when you have some or all of these features within one room.
Which one should you focus on??? Which one should you try to draw attention away from??? Is it okay to have more than one focal point??? Every room and situation is different, but in this post you’ll get basic guidelines for dealing with multiple focal points when designing your living space.
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HOW TO DECORATE, ORGANIZE AND ADD STYLE TO A SMALL BEDROOM
Any small room can tough to comfortably live and function in on a daily basis! I adore the coziness of small bedrooms, but figuring out how to decorate, organize and add style to them can be a real challenge. Instead of tackling the entire room at once (which can be overwhelming), I’ve broken the process down into smaller parts that you can take care of one at a time.
In this post, you’ll learn about what to do with your walls, the best bedding, furniture and lighting, how to add stylish storage and more.
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IMAGE VIA JAMES THOMAS INTERIORS VIA HOUZZ
ENLARGE A SPACE WITH MULTIPLE MIRRORS
Speaking of small spaces, what about making the other small rooms in your home look larger? Look no farther than mirrors! Using mirrors to fool the eye into thinking a space is larger than it really is, is a well known designer trick.
And don’t stop with just one. In this post, you’ll find ideas for how to use multiple mirrors in the same room, on the same wall or even on opposing walls. By the time you’re finished, your room will have never looked larger!
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HOUSE BEAUTIFUL
HOW TO DECORATE A SMALL FRONT PORCH
Maybe I should have made this entire post about how to decorate small spaces because here’s a third small space dilemma. 😀 It certainly seems to be a common problem that many of us deal with.
Whether you have a small porch with just a step or two, have just a stoop or don’t have a true porch at all, you’ll find lots of stylish tips in this post for making the most of your front entry. Do it right and you’ll add to the curb appeal of your home too!
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HOW TO OVERCOME THE DREADED “FEAR OF DECORATING” SYNDROME
And finally, this may very well be THE #1 design dilemma that just about all of us face at one time or another – fear of decorating. It’s common to some of us more than others, but it’s a real thing!
I’ve been right there myself many times – so afraid of making a “mistake” that I don’t do anything at all. Friends, I don’t want you to feel that way!!! This post is chock full of actionable steps that you can take to help you overcome those fears and start creating the home of your dreams.
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laura says
HI Suzy! This is a great post! I love the last one! Have a great week! laura
Suzy says
Thank you, Laura! I hope you have a great week too!
Pearl says
Hi Suzy! Thank you for this great post. Can you please help me. I moved to a very small house. The living room is 7.5-11. The rest of the home is small (500 sq ft) total. I’ve been able to deal with the other two rooms. -Kitchen and Bed room. But that tiny LR has me stressed.
Suzy says
Can you be a little specific about what type of help you’re looking for?
Betty Adams says
Hi Suzy…we have replaced our broadloom with hardwood in our bedroom, our dilemma is whether to use rugs on each bedside or a full rug under the bed to cover each side…the room is approx. 20 x 13.
Suzy says
Hi Betty. I typically prefer one large rug in a bedroom as opposed to smaller rugs on each side. The rug will need to be long and wide enough to go partially under the end of your bed, but still give you a carpeted surface to place your feet on when getting in and out of bed. Using one rug instead of two will give your room a more cohesive, less chopped up feel. 😀
Patti says
Great ideas! You tend to give tips and hints that are truly doable. Thanks.
Suzy says
Thank you! If you haven’t already, be sure to go back and leave a comment on the Style Showcase blog post to actually be entered in the giveaway.
Debbie says
Thank you for the giveaway.
Suzy says
If you haven’t already, be sure to go back and leave a comment on the Style Showcase blog post to actually be entered in the giveaway.
laura@everydayedits.co says
hi suzy! I love your blog too for design ideas! I love the carpet in your master bedroom! laura in Colorado
Suzy says
Thank you, Laura1 Love your beautiful state!
SUSAN says
Love all these ideas! Thanks for the giveaway.
Suzy says
Thank you! Make sure you go back and leave a comment on the Style Showcase post to be entered in the giveaway, if you haven’t already.
Deb says
Wonderful “tutorial!”
Suzy says
I hope you found it helpful!
Romeogirl says
Loving your blog!
Suzy says
Thank you!
Melanie Foster says
Suzy, you have such a beautiful home. Thanks for sharing it with the rest of us!
Suzy says
Thank you so much!
Diana says
Thank you for this information, sometimes we need a starting point too move forward. I’ll be back to get more info.
Suzy says
Finding a good starting point is sometimes the hardest. Hope you found this helpful!
Rebecca says
I follow your blog and learn something from it every time I read it. A BIG thank you for all of your information!
Suzy says
I’m so glad – thank you for letting me know!
Cindy says
Suzy, everything is absolutely gorgeous!!! Let me know when you can come and decorate my home. LOVE your style !!!!!!
Suzy says
I’ll be glad to help anytime! 😀
Ann says
Thanks for the ideas–especially the small porch ideas. I love the one with the shutter and hanging plants.
Suzy says
I hope you found the ideas helpful!
julie ross says
Alot of helpful tips! Thanks
Vicki Bray says
Thank you so much for posting all the ideas. I have been helping my sister who does not have a front porch really, but am trying to convince her to put something out anyway. I am going to share your ideas with her and hope it gives her some inspiration!
Suzy says
I also have a blog post about how to decorate a small front porch that might be helpful.
Myrna says
Suzy, I love the bedroom with those big windows in a semi-circle.
Suzy says
Thank you so much! We have the same windows in our kitchen/breakfast area and they’re one of our favorite things about the house.
Mary says
Thank you for all the wonderful ideas!
Suzy says
Hope you found some helpful info!
Becca says
I really like the lighting in the small bedroom section of your post!
Kim Henrichs says
Your home is so beautiful! Love the checked chairs