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by CAROLINE BIGGS
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Curious about what rookie mistakes might cost you major moolah in the long run? Here, a handful of interior designers are sharing their insight on the pricey decorating mistakes they’ve made in the past.
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“Products don’t always look like the pictures online. Seeing a product in person or requesting a sample can prevent this mistake from happening.” — Anna Filippova, design at Hyphen & Co
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You should test paint on all of the walls you plan on painting and look at swatches at different times of day, too, so you can see how the sun and artificial lighting will impact the look of the shade.
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"Map out the exact dimensions of your desired new purchase to help you understand how it will work in your space,” says designer Linda Sullivan of Sullivan Design Studio.
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“Save yourself the headache and always go with something with a little color or pattern.” — designer Danielle Fennoy of Revamp Interior Design
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“The best way to create balance in your home is to purchase one or two statement pieces and then add in playful, personal accent details and accessories that won’t break the bank,” says designer Erin Hackett of Hackett Interiors.
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No matter how enticing the price tag on an inexpensive piece of furniture may be, investing in a bunch of poorly made furnishings just to complete your room almost always ends in regret.
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You’d be better off buying a cheaper, less fancy large rug than trying to make something more decorative but smaller work in your space, even if you have multiples.
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Installing wallpaper with a small-scale texture or print in a large room can be a costly mistake. Beautiful textures and prints wind up getting lost.
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“Investing money in custom window treatments, versus prefabricated panels, ensures you get the perfect look and fit so you won’t have to replace them later.” — Haley Weidenbaum, interior designer and founder of Everhem
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To cover all of your bases, it’s best to think about the process of physically getting items into your space as much as their fit in the spots that will ultimately be their final destinations.