How to Avoid Common Apartment Decorating Mistakes for a Stylish Space

To create a stylish and functional apartment, avoid common decorating mistakes such as hanging wall art too high, using tiny accent pillows, choosing short curtains, creating theme rooms, prioritizing style over comfort, and relying solely on overhead lighting. Instead, focus on scale and proportion when selecting furniture and décor, incorporate creative storage solutions, and use a mix of lighting sources to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere. By following these guidelines, you can achieve a well-balanced living space that reflects your unique taste and style.

Don't Hang Wall Art Too High

One of the most common mistakes in art installation is hanging pieces neck-craningly high. Artwork should hang at or near eye level, and museums hang pieces between 57" and 60" above the floor. If the ceiling is high, however, you can hang artwork higher. However, if you plan to hang more than one piece of art, make sure to hang them as a single piece, rather than hanging several pieces on a gallery wall.

A common mistake is hanging several pieces of art on the same wall, but this is a mistake that can make your art look crowded and off-balanced. In order to make your art look balanced, hang it at a height that is three to six inches (7.5-10 cm) higher than the rest of the wall. If you are unsure of the correct height for your art, consider a paper template.

If you want to hang a piece of wall art without using nails, consider using removable adhesive. These adhesives are inexpensive and easy to use. You can also use hook-and-loop fasteners. These work similar to Velcro and attach to the wall by pressing together hooks and loops. This type of adhesive is best for light-weight items like posters.

Don't Use Tiny Accent Pillows

When decorating your apartment, color choice is key. The wrong shade or tone can throw off the entire arrangement. Choose an anchor color and emphasize it with accent pieces. When choosing accent pieces, use complementary colors that accentuate the base color. Try pillows with opposite sides of the color wheel for high contrast and visual impact.

Throw pillows can add personality and texture to your apartment. Plush accent pillows are also great for sleeping on. However, don't go overboard with pillows that are too tiny to fit on your arms. They can be overpowering. Keeping the amount of accent pillows to a minimum will make your apartment feel more balanced.

Don't Choose Short Curtains or Drapes

When decorating an apartment, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, make sure that all of your curtains or drapes hang at the same height. You may find that the heights of some of your windows vary just an inch, so you may want to measure the height of the window closest to the ceiling.

Short curtains or drapes look less attractive than those that are longer. They also reduce the visual height of the room. In some cases, short curtains are needed for practical reasons. For example, parents often choose short curtains in kids' rooms to prevent sticky fingers from touching the window treatments. In other cases, short curtains may be necessary due to heat-producing radiators.

Another thing to keep in mind is that curtains and drapes should be the same length as the window. The window width plus eight to twelve inches is the correct length for drapes and curtains. Choosing a window treatment that is too short will make the room look shabby and incomplete. If you're unsure of the length of your drapes or curtains, you can get them hemmed by your dry cleaner.

Don't Do a Theme Room

Theme rooms can be fun to decorate but tend to get outdated quickly. Instead, focus on a color scheme and use accent pieces to keep the look fresh and contemporary. For instance, instead of throwing together a color scheme that includes only green or blue, use a few different shades of blue or green to create a monochromatic room.

You can also use freebie items like throws, throw pillows, and a new coat of paint to spruce them up. Small decor items are also a great way to hide scratches on furniture. When choosing colors, start with a general theme that you want to stick with throughout your apartment. You can mix and match color schemes in the same room or make each room a distinct color scheme.

Remember that a theme room can become too overwhelming. Keep the colors and décor light and evenly distributed throughout the space. This way, your room will look less like a cluttered mess. It's not uncommon for people to accumulate clutter over time, especially if they're living in a small apartment. It's a good idea to declutter before you move into a new space to avoid a big surprise when you move in.

Don't Decorate for Style Over Comfort

When decorating an apartment, it's important to keep comfort in mind. You can use layers of textiles to create a cozy environment. This could include fabrics, blankets, and even rugs. You can even mix and match different types of textiles for the best comfort level. Another way to add comfort is by using window treatments. Curtains are the most basic way to add color and texture to a room, but attractive shades are also a great option.

When decorating an apartment, it's important to add different sources of light. A room of an average size should have 5-10 different lighting sources. A small lamp placed on a side table will be useful, as will a taller light on the other side of the room. Lighting fixtures can also be purchased from stores such as Ikea.

If you don't want to spend a lot of money on new furniture, you can decorate your apartment with throw cushions instead. They will add colour and comfort and are more affordable than new furniture. Throw pillows can also be made from the same material as curtains.

Don't Only Use Overhead Lighting

It is common to use overhead lighting to illuminate areas of an apartment, but it's not the only option. Without a proper lighting system, an apartment can appear dark and drab. This can make it difficult to rent or lease an apartment, and it can also cause electrical safety hazards. A safe alternative to overhead fixtures is to install wall-mounted plug-in smart bulbs. These bulbs come with dimming features, so you can adjust the light as needed.

Another option is to use floor lamps. A single floor lamp can fill most of a room. Decorative floor lamps can let light break through and create cool shadows. You can also purchase plug-in ceiling lights that can be installed without any complicated wiring. Using a variety of lighting sources will make your apartment feel cozier and more inviting.

Don't Ignore Storage

One of the major challenges in apartment living is the limited space available for storage. However, that doesn't mean you should ignore it. Instead, find creative ways to incorporate storage solutions into your décor. This can include using floating shelves, multi-purpose furniture, and cleverly utilizing the vertical space.

For instance, a bookshelf can double as a room divider or a wall-mounted TV can be surrounded by floating shelves to store decorative items and books. The key is to think outside the box and make your storage solutions work with your apartment's layout and design.

Don't Forget About Scale and Proportion

When decorating an apartment, it's crucial to consider the scale and proportion of your furniture and décor. You don't want your space to feel cramped, but you also don't want it to feel empty. To achieve the right balance, choose furniture pieces that are appropriate for the size of your apartment.

For example, if you have a small living room, opt for a compact sofa and avoid oversized furniture. Similarly, choose artwork and decorative items that are proportionate to the space they will be placed in. Keep in mind that creating a sense of balance in your apartment will make it look more polished and put-together.

Apartment decorating doesn't have to be difficult. By avoiding common mistakes like hanging wall art too high, using tiny accent pillows, choosing short curtains, creating theme rooms, prioritizing style over comfort, and relying solely on overhead lighting, you can create a stylish and functional living space that reflects your unique taste. Remember to consider scale and proportion when selecting furniture and décor, and don't forget to incorporate creative storage solutions. With these tips in mind, you'll be well on your way to creating an apartment you'll love to call home.