Despite the abundance of information available on interior design online, it's not always easy to understand what exactly is needed for a specific space. While some mistakes and inaccuracies in choices may have minimal impact on the outcome, there are critical errors that only become apparent during the installation phase, completely altering the original design and likely for the worse. At deZZign, we have experienced this firsthand, so we know what we're talking about. Sometimes, we inherit projects that previous unfortunate designers have abandoned, and we have to edit the interior design plans and make adjustments for the builders.
Therefore, we present to you 12 essential rules from renowned designers worldwide that will help you understand what NOT to do.
Placing all the furniture against the walls
According to Young Huh of Young Huh Interior Design, it's unnecessary to place all the furniture along the walls. By distributing it throughout the space, the room becomes more diverse and vibrant. You can sketch a layout on paper or a tablet and refer to it during the arrangement process. If you're completely out of ideas, you can start by placing a few chairs in the middle and build from there.
Forgetting about good lighting
Lighting is one of the most crucial elements of a well-designed interior. It can change the perception and atmosphere of the entire space. Sometimes, as Alfredo Paredes of Alfredo Paredes Studio suggests, simply replacing a few light bulbs and adding a couple of stylish wall sconces can transform a room even without renovation.
It's best to entrust lighting to a professional. Achieving the right composition can be challenging. However, if you want to handle lighting on your own, remember the three levels: ceiling lighting for surface illumination, overall perimeter lighting, and task lighting, as advised by Nicole Hollis of Nicole Hollis Inc.
Not measuring the space
It's important to remember that in interior design, the "eyeballing" rule doesn't work. After all, you don't want to end up paying extra for furniture replacements, right? Always take measurements, preferably multiple times.
Seeking a designer too late
Too often, clients approach designers after they've already hired a contractor. This is quite common in Ukraine. Sometimes, construction work has already begun without a clear understanding of what will be done and how, and unfortunately, without any qualification, as skilled builders require a design plan. This is one of the biggest problems. According to Mandy Cheng of Mandy Cheng Design, the designer should first familiarize themselves with the space. Then, ideas and possibilities for the room can be discussed, and only after that, the search for contractors can begin.
Choosing furniture that is too small or too large
To achieve harmony in a room, it's important to select appropriately sized furniture. Scaling is a challenging task, even for experienced designers. However, it must be done to avoid mismatched furniture that detracts from the aesthetics of the space. An interesting rule from Martha Mulholland is that a sofa should be completely on the rug. Placing it in the center of the room and arranging furniture around its perimeter will likely create a well-composed composition.
Prioritizing aesthetics over comfort
Never purchase furniture without personally evaluating it! First, you need to see it in person, lie down on the sofa, feel its fabric, and closely examine its shade. Remember that furniture should be functional above all else. Avoid making choices based solely on appearance or price, as this happens all too often. Dishonest designers often convince trusting clients to make such decisions.
