Your home is your sanctuary, and you want it to reflect your personal style and comfort. However, some common decorating mistakes can make your house look cheap and tacky, even if you spent a lot of money on it. Here are 13 things that you should avoid or fix to make your home look more elegant and sophisticated.
1. Clutter
Clutter is the number one enemy of a classy home. It makes your space look messy, chaotic, and uninviting. It also prevents the flow of light and energy, and distracts from the intentional design elements. To avoid clutter, you should get rid of anything that you don’t need, use, or love, and organize the rest in functional storage solutions. A clear and clean home will instantly look more expensive and refined.
2. Matching Furniture Sets
While it may seem convenient to buy a whole room of furniture from a catalog or a flatpack supplier, it can also make your home look cheap and boring. Matching furniture sets lack personality and character, and they often look low-quality and generic. Instead, you should mix and match different pieces of furniture that complement each other in style, color, and scale. You can also add some vintage or antique items to create more interest and charm.
3. Poor Lighting
Lighting is one of the most important aspects of interior design, as it can affect the mood, ambiance, and appearance of your home. Poor lighting can make your home look dull, dark, and depressing, and it can also highlight the flaws and imperfections of your space. To avoid this, you should invest in a variety of lighting sources, such as ceiling lights, floor lamps, table lamps, and wall sconces, and use them to create different layers and effects. You should also use natural light as much as possible, and avoid harsh or fluorescent bulbs.
4. Awkwardly Sized Rugs
Rugs are a great way to add warmth, texture, and color to your floors, but they can also make your home look cheap if they are not the right size for your space. Rugs that are too small can make your room look disjointed and cramped, while rugs that are too large can overwhelm your space and hide your beautiful floors. To avoid this, you should follow some basic rules for choosing the right rug size, such as making sure that the rug covers at least the front legs of your furniture, or that it leaves a few inches of space between the rug and the walls.
5. Haphazard Flooring
Another thing that can make your home look cheap is having different types of flooring in different rooms, or having flooring that is damaged, stained, or outdated. Haphazard flooring can make your home look disjointed and uncoordinated, and it can also lower the value of your property. To avoid this, you should try to have a consistent and cohesive flooring throughout your home, or at least in the main areas. You should also repair or replace any flooring that is in bad condition, and choose flooring that is durable, easy to maintain, and timeless.
6. Mass-Produced or No Artwork
Artwork is a great way to express your personality and add some color and life to your walls, but it can also make your home look cheap if you choose the wrong kind or none at all. Mass-produced artwork, such as generic prints, posters, or paintings, can make your home look bland and impersonal, and they can also look low-quality and tacky. On the other hand, having no artwork at all can make your home look bare and boring, and it can also make your walls look dirty and dingy. To avoid this, you should choose artwork that is original, meaningful, and high-quality, and that suits your style and taste. You should also hang your artwork at the right height, and use proper frames and mats.
7. Overdone Themes
Themes can be a fun and creative way to decorate your home, but they can also make your home look cheap if you overdo them. Overdone themes, such as nautical, tropical, or farmhouse, can make your home look cliché and kitschy, and they can also clash with the rest of your décor. To avoid this, you should use themes sparingly and subtly, and avoid using too many matching or themed items. You should also balance your theme with some neutral and classic elements, and choose themes that are appropriate for your location and lifestyle.
8. Badly Installed or Unlined Curtains
Curtains are a great way to add privacy, softness, and style to your windows, but they can also make your home look cheap if they are badly installed or unlined. Badly installed curtains, such as those that are too short, too long, or too narrow, can make your windows look awkward and unflattering, and they can also affect the functionality and insulation of your curtains. Unlined curtains, on the other hand, can make your curtains look thin and flimsy, and they can also let in too much light and noise. To avoid this, you should measure your windows carefully and choose curtains that are the right length, width, and style for your space. You should also choose curtains that are lined or have a good weight and quality, and that block out enough light and noise.
9. Vertical Blinds
Vertical blinds are a common window treatment, especially in apartments and rentals, but they can also make your home look cheap and outdated. Vertical blinds are often made of plastic or vinyl, and they can look flimsy, noisy, and hard to clean. They can also block out too much light and view, and they can clash with your décor and style. To avoid this, you should replace your vertical blinds with more modern and attractive window treatments, such as roller shades, roman shades, or cellular shades. These window treatments are more durable, easy to operate, and versatile, and they can also enhance the look and feel of your space.
10. Fake Plants or Flowers
Plants and flowers are a great way to add some greenery and freshness to your home, but they can also make your home look cheap if they are fake. Fake plants or flowers can look unnatural, dusty, and tacky, and they can also attract bugs and allergens. They can also make your home look stale and lifeless, and they can also be a waste of money and space. To avoid this, you should opt for real plants or flowers, or at least high-quality faux ones. Real plants or flowers can improve the air quality, mood, and ambiance of your home, and they can also add some color and texture to your space. You should also choose plants or flowers that are suitable for your climate, light, and water conditions, and that match your décor and style.
11. Plastic or Paper Plates and Cups
Plastic or paper plates and cups are convenient and disposable, but they can also make your home look cheap and unsophisticated. Plastic or paper plates and cups can look low-quality, flimsy, and wasteful, and they can also affect the taste and presentation of your food and drinks. They can also make your home look like a party venue or a fast-food joint, and they can also be bad for the environment and your health. To avoid this, you should invest in some durable and elegant dishes and glassware, such as porcelain, ceramic, or glass. These dishes and glassware can make your home look more refined and classy, and they can also enhance the flavor and appearance of your food and drinks. You should also choose dishes and glassware that are easy to clean, store, and match.
12. Too Many or Too Few Pillows
Pillows are a great way to add comfort, coziness, and style to your sofa, bed, or chair, but they can also make your home look cheap if you have too many or too few of them. Too many pillows can make your space look cluttered, crowded, and overwhelming, and they can also reduce the functionality and comfort of your seating. Too few pillows, on the other hand, can make your space look sparse, cold, and uninviting, and they can also affect the support and cushioning of your seating. To avoid this, you should find the right balance and number of pillows for your space, and follow some basic guidelines, such as using odd numbers, varying the sizes and shapes, and mixing the colors and patterns.
13. Crushed Diamond Mirror Furniture
Crushed diamond mirror furniture is a popular trend that can add some sparkle and glamour to your home, but it can also make your home look cheap and tacky if you use too much of it or use it in the wrong way. Crushed diamond mirror furniture can look flashy, gaudy, and over-the-top, and it can also reflect too much light and glare. It can also make your space look smaller, busier, and less cozy, and it can also be hard to clean and maintain. To avoid this, you should use crushed diamond mirror furniture sparingly and strategically, and avoid using it in large or multiple pieces. You should also balance it with some softer and warmer elements, such as wood, fabric, or metal, and choose pieces that are functional and stylish.