HOW we style our homes can say a lot of about us — and have a huge impact on how we feel around the house.
Sarah Lloyd, an interior and paint expert at valsparpaint.co.uk, revealed three mistakes people commonly make when decorating, including one that can visually shrink a room.
When thinking about her philosophy for design, Sarah told The U.S. Sun she believes the best homes are the ones that have “lots of personality and character.”
Although she advises clients to “be bold” with their choices, she said there are certain decorating mistakes that one should be aware of so that they don’t fall victim.
COLOR CHOICES
The first error people make is choosing interior paint colors that minimize the feel of their space.
“Darker paint highlights outlines and shadows, drawing the eye into the corners of the room and giving the impression of a smaller space,” she explained.
“Brighter walls are reflective and create an airy, open vibe – soft whites and creamy colors such as Valspar’s Moon Shot are the perfect paint palette to maximize your space.”
OVERCROWDING
Although you might be tempted to buy the biggest sofa that fits the most guests, this could do you more harm than good if it eats up the whole space.
“Nothing makes a room seem overcrowded more than having pieces of furniture brushing against the walls.”
Sarah said it’s important to let the furniture breathe.
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“Leaving space on either side of sofas and cabinets creates a lovely sense of roominess.”
To save floor space, she recommends hanging your television on the wall for a modern look rather than sticking it in a large armoire.
NOT PREPPING
The third error that could be detrimental to your home’s lasting appeal is not prepping the walls properly before you paint and decorate.
“This always leads to problems later down the line,” Sarah said.
“Taking that extra time to clean and prime the walls will ensure a smooth application and lead to much fewer touch-ups or repaints.”
Sarah believes paint is one piece of homeware that’s worth splurging on.
“Cheap paint is a no-go because the last thing you want is to paint a whole room or house and find that the paint is chipping away,” she explained.
As for other items she thinks are worth the extra cash, electrics – because investment pieces like high-quality TVs and speakers can last decades – and bedding.
“You use your bed every day, so it’s not something you want to have to replace regularly.”
Still, there are places to save without sacrificing taste.
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Sarah said small furniture, like side tables, and “soft décor,” like cushions and throw blankets, don’t need to be expensive or high quality to look good.
While keeping in mind her guidelines, Sarah said as long as you “choose pieces or designs that you really love, it will never go out of style.”
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