Popular Decorating Myths Invalidated

You‘re not sure about how to decorate your home. There are just so many rules out there. What if you make a mistake?

When decorating your home, let it reflect things you like; make it tell your story. Don’t get overly concerned with the “rules” because as time changes, so do they. In fact, here are 6 popular decorating myths invalidated by our definition of what a beautiful room is today.

1.You must put a couch in a living room.

Try using comfortable chairs to create a conversational area especially when the room is small.

2. All pieces of a bedroom or dining room set must match.

Mix chairs with a different table. Allow the table and four side chairs to match.  Have different end chairs. Use a different buffet piece that doesn’t match but rather complements your dining room set.

Have your couch in one color or pattern and your two chairs in a different coordinating color or pattern. Have your couch in a patterned fabric and your two chairs in a complementary leather or vice versa.

Use 2 different nightstands with your bed. If using lamps, it’s better to have the tables the same height. Use a different bed, different chest, or different dresser than the other matching pieces.

3. Never mix different decorating styles in a room.

To make a room exciting, mix traditional, contemporary, and transitional pieces.  The trick is to balance them strategically throughout the space to be more pleasing to the eye. Use the same color in a traditional chair and modern couch.  Make sure the pieces are in scale to one other.  You don’t want a huge sofa and tiny chairs.

4. Always place a coffee table in front of a sofa.

Instead, try an ottoman with a tray on top. What about using a vintage cart on wheels? Pick up two garden stools or two stumps of wood from a landscaping center and place them next to each other in front of your couch.

5. Decorating with neutral colors is boring.

If you have white walls and white upholstered furniture,  add different textures and repeat pops of color to make it interesting – a wool throw, metal candlesticks, ceramic vases, wooden decorative accessories, glass-topped tables.

6. You should fill up every part of a room with furniture.

Think of the function of the room and place furniture in the room to fulfill those needs. Ensure there is good traffic flow around the room by not overcrowding it. Use some artwork and plants to complete the room.

Takeaway 

Your home should be a reflection of your personal taste. Colors, style, artwork, and hobbies you like can be your guides when transitioning a room from plain to beautiful.  If you get too hung up on decorating rules, your home won’t mirror your passions and may not portray the current trends. Remember, there are many decorating rules that are popular decorating myths invalidated because they don’t allow for individualized creativity or common sense.

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Interiors Revitalized is a full-service home staging, model home merchandising, and interior design firm located in Jacksonville Florida.  In addition to Jacksonville, we serve the St. Johns, St. Augustine, Orange Park, Fleming Island, and Fernandina Beach areas. Contact us today at 904.625.2214 to discuss your home staging or interior design project.  We’ll make that first offer your best offer!

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