By Stacey Riley
Many clients I first meet with have made common design mistakes, compounded year after year as they’ve tried to balance spaces with esthetics and function—only to conclude they need and want help. I want to discuss some repeated issues I see all the time, and hope that these tips can give you a jumpstart on feeling better about your home.
1) Arrangement mistakes: Avoid placing all furniture up against the wall. Furniture can be angled, moved to the middle of the room or set off slightly off the wall. Otherwise it’s hard to create intimate gathering spaces and over emphasizes the perimeter of the room.
2) Create an entry: A bench or a basket for shoes, or a small coat armoire accomplishes this task well. Well-designed wall hooks can give your guests or family a place to hang their coats and get comfortable. The right sized and well positioned area rug gives the impression of a space within another space.
3) Too much furniture: You’ve heard it before, because it’s true. Less IS more! Ask yourself--are all pieces in your space there because they truly serve a purpose (and/or you love them), or are they merely creating clutter and conspiring to degrade the enjoyment of your surroundings? Find another home for useless items--better yet donate them!
4) Too many accessories: When you live with various décor for an extended time, you may not notice when some have become (ahem) passé, odd, or extraneous. If you don’t love it, see rule #3 and get rid of it. Never display something to just fill a space. Keep focal points in mind and don’t hang that artwork too high! Eye level is just the right spot.
5) Easy fixes: New clients express frustration to me that when they have guests over, no one will spend time in a particular room. These cold and echo-y spaces need help. Remember area rugs, paint, pillows and window treatments can work wonders and are among the most cost-effective and transformative steps you can take.
The biggest piece of advice is to start small and create a cohesive plan. Start with the furniture selection, then choose paint and window coverings next. Good luck. I’m available for help too!
You can reach Stacey through her website http://www.staceyrileyinteriors.com/
