Everyday we are surrounded by images in magazines, on the television and the internet which aim to show us the ideal image of how the inside of our homes should look. However, Home Interior Styling can often be overwhelming and some what of a challenge for many.
My passion for interiors stemmed from my decision to begin blogging my home. I had always swooned over other peoples beautiful spaces on social media sites and often looked to them for inspiration. But what I began to notice was that you didn't need a degree or years of experience in the interior design world, in fact all you needed was the time to play around with home accessories and occasionally some furniture. I found that interior styling was an art and that to get good pictures for my blog I needed to challenge myself to try different things, and often sometimes the new styling ended up sticking.
With interior styling it is not always about knowing what "looks good" or what is "on trend". It's about knowing your style, knowing what is practical and what will work well with your lifestyle; as not all of us have the time to plump our cushions daily or have the space to include the "Must-Have" accessories for each room as suggested by interior magazines and bloggers. Maybe we have small children or even bigger children who like to pull everything out of the cupboard or tamper with the finishing touches you have perfectly styled. But what we can do, is follow (to the best of our ability) the list below of the Top 10 Interior Styling Mistakes to Avoid, in order to help us decorate with confidence and create a home we love.
1. Matching Everything - You don't want your home to look like you picked it out of a catalogue. Yes, companies lure us in by displaying their full range of matching furniture on one page, but this is not the look we are going for. Try to mix your furniture up, swap items that are in different rooms or give your furniture a mini upcycle by changing handles/knobs and see the difference it makes.
2. Spreading Out A Collection - If you have a collection of favourite ornaments or accessories, spreading them around the house makes the items lose their WOW factor. There is a reason you purchased them/love them so why hide them away? You want your collection to have an impact! So place them together.
3. Grouping Objects In Even Numbers - I will hold my hands up and say I used to be guilty of putting objects in pairs, I love things which look symmetrical. But in reality, it is better to group objects in odd numbers - 1, 3 or 5. It is also has more effect when the heights vary.
4. Everything In The Same Height - As mentioned above, you need to vary the height of objects to create interest.
5. Ignoring The Rule Of Thirds - Instead of placing an object in the middle of a shelf, imagine there are lines on a shelf in thirds, this gives you two places where you can place an object at 1/3 or 2/3. By placing an arrangement 1/3 of the way instead of in the centre, it is more pleasing to the eye. Try it for yourself!
6. Empty Space Under A Console - Console tables are commonly the most undressed spaces in our homes. They are often just left as a blank space, which can look unfinished and uninviting. Instead try tucking a stool underneath or a large basket, which could double up as shoe storage. In my own home we have some large statement vases, which looks effective.
7. Over-Accessorising - Sometimes less is more! Try using one or more big statement pieces rather than many smaller accessories, as these can make a room look cluttered.
8. Lots Of Little Things - When you have too many small things in one space it can look messy and could be mistaken for clutter. Small accessories get lost quickly in space or on a shelf. If the option is available go large! It may initially be more expensive but it prevents the need to purchase more accessories to style the space.
9. Fake Greenery - Here we are discussing plastic looking plants, this does not include faux/silk flowers. Not all of us are green fingered, I will include myself in this statement Instead of using fake rubbery looking green plants, try using natural elements such as branches or dried greenery like eucalyptus or hydrangeas.
10. Lack Of Meaning And Personality - When you flick through the magazines and swoon over the interior designers portfolios, just remember these homes are not lived in. Remember to breathe life into your home, display your memorable sentimental items and pictures of your family with pride. These are what makes a home and it reflects who you are.
It's time to confess... I am making some of those mistakes!
In my home I am currently breaking, three mistakes in one space. In the picture below you will see that I have styled my kitchen window with items that are all of the same height, not in groups of three and it includes copious amounts fake greenery. Ooops!
Which mistakes are you making are you making in your home?
If you would like any help with styling your home please do not hesitate to get in contact with us or visit the 'How We Work' section of our website for more information.
Jessica
TGA Interiors
info@tga-interiors.co.uk
Tel: 01603 567414
