Top 5 Design Mistakes

We’ve all been there. You’re not the only one who has come across these issues. Here are five of the most common design mistakes and ways to avoid them in the future.

DIY Online Shopping

On average, the normal consumer will spend nearly 60 hours online, searching page by page. Why? How can you make such a big decision without sitting in the sofa or chair or even being able to see the exact color of that coffee table you fell in love with online? That’s an expensive mistake! What if it arrives damaged? Then what? Have fun with that! Who has the time to furniture shop as a full-time job? We do! Let the professionals handle the hard decisions. There is a lot of time and effort that goes into designing a room, let alone an entire home. Don’t judge us by our size; at Fringe, we may be small, but we have everything here that you need to touch, feel and get educated! It’s so important to know what you are getting and more so loving it!

Selecting a paint color for your room prior to selecting your furniture.

Picking a paint color for your space before making all of your furniture and rug selections can be a nightmare. How are you going to select a paint color if you have nothing in your room to base it off of?  You want to build your room first; start a color story with your textiles and then choose a paint color. Also, make sure you are picking the paint color inside your space, not at a paint store. Lighting makes everything different. If you need additional help, we offer paint consultations for a small fee.

Buying furnishings without measuring

Space planning can be challenging, determining what will fit and where. Will it fit through your doorway? How are we going to get that sectional down the stairs? These are only a few things to consider while designing your space. One of the most common mistakes people make is choosing pieces that are too large or too small. Many major furniture stores show furniture in their showroom that is big and bulky, and it doesn’t appear to be because it is shown in a much larger setting. That’s where our design service will assist you in making the right decision. At Fringe, we will come to your home, field measure and space plan your room to scale on paper. This will help determine what will fit and if it will fit properly. *

Matching new furniture to old furniture

With styles changing from year to year, it can become difficult to match new pieces to that 15-year-old sofa, chair, etc. I always ask my customers, “Why are you keeping this”? Often times, the answer will be “It’s like new”. With that being said, many clients will begin to see just how hard it is to select ‘new’ fabrics that also coordinate with the ‘old’ fabrics, or, once the new furniture is delivered, finding that they are not completely satisfied with the overall look of each together. Don’t design around “old” furniture. You will lock yourself in and more than likely change it in the end. Let it go! If you are determined to keep a piece, consider reupholstering it to update your entire look.

Over and under accessorizing

We all love the finishing touches that accessories add, but sometimes they can add too much or too little. We have all been in that house that has knick-knacks scattered everywhere. Maybe that’s your home. I know you love your family, but does your third cousin’s picture need to be on the sofa table? Let’s declutter and add some decorative items to that table to break up all of those photos. And having 10 things on one shelf must go! Choose 4 of your favorite items and get rid of the rest. On the contrary, you don’t want your home to feel sterile either. Warm it up by adding decorative vases, books, candleholders and art. Decorative pillows can add so much to a plain sofa. Let’s tell a story and express your personality!

*Design fees may apply; check with your designer.

Photos courtesy of Google images.