Dwell by Cheryl: Decorating mistakes

Showing posts with label Decorating mistakes. Show all posts

Top Decorating Mistake #3

I hope you all had a great Valentine's Day. So sorry I haven't been able to post in the last couple of days. I've had some Internet issues that pretty much shut everything down. What did we do without the world wide web anyway?

Well, I'm back today with yet another decorating mistake and this one is a BIGGIE! I must preface this by saying, don't shoot the messenger because this one will undoubtedly step on a few toes.

Ready?

Top Decorating Mistake #3.....

The Contour Bathroom Rug (a.k.a. The Bacteria Bib)

Yep, that rug that's shaped to fit snugly around the base of your toilet, it's gross. Just think about it for a moment. Do you really want a rug beneath the very spot where...stuff happens? That rug is literally a bacteria bib for whatever happens to miss the target, splash out or overflow. Yuck!

There are a number of other options that can easily be used to provide a little comfort underfoot in el bano.

The Runner

Modern Bathroom design by Boston Architect Siemasko + Verbridge

Traditional Bathroom design by New York Architect Knight Architects LLC

Runners are great options because often the floor space in the bathroom is long and narrow. Runners are typically around 2 1/2 ft wide and come in various lengths, and they provide an excellent opportunity to add some visual interest, pattern and/or color to a space that is often lacking all of the above.

Here are a couple of great options available at Rugs USA, one of my go-to sources for great rugs.

Rugs USA

Rugs USA

The Area Rug

Contemporary Bathroom design by New York Interior Designer James Rixner, Inc.

Contemporary Bathroom design by Detroit Interior Designer AMW Design Studio

For a larger space, a regular area rug works great in the bathroom. Don't feel confined to the use of a bath rug in the bathroom. Area rugs and even outdoor rugs work well in any space. Smaller area rugs even work in small bathrooms like mine.

Two for One

Traditional Bathroom design by Omaha General Contractor Craig Tuttle Construction, Inc.

Contemporary Bathroom design by Boston Architect Bonin Architects & Associates

Traditional Bathroom design by Minneapolis Design-build w.b. builders

Two rugs for one bathroom is a great option for the double vanity bath. I would make sure that when using this option you choose identical or matching rugs for a symmetrical and pulled together look.

Just so you know I'm not the only one, feel free to Google "contour bath rug" and see how many decorating mistakes articles you come up with. Start to notice how difficult it is to find these things too. The word is out people. In the name of all things clean and sanitized, don't be left behind on this one.

: ) Happy Friday!

Top Decorating Mistake #2

I had no idea I'd have such a good response to the post yesterday on the Top Decorating Mistakes. Who knew you guys would be into the simple Do's and Don'ts of decorating? Well, fear not I've got plenty more where that came from.

Let's continue shall we? Top Decorating Mistake #2 is.....

Placing all of your Furniture Against the Walls

This is one that completely perplexes me. I have no idea why people move into a space and immediately push all the large furniture pieces against the walls.

Here's the thing. Unless you enjoy break dancing in your spare time, the furniture lining the perimeter of the room, particularly in a large room, probably isn't the best use of the space. Just sayin'.

I know some of you are thinking, "Oh no!". It's ok. You don't know, what you don't know. But start to notice well designed spaces on TV, in magazines and even featured on this blog NEVER use this arrangement.

Traditional Family Room design by Sacramento Interior Designer Janice Stone Thomas, ASID

The truth is, floating furniture in the room is a much better use of space. What people don't know is that you don't need a wall to create division in a room. Furniture can do the exact same thing.

Contemporary Living Room design by San Francisco Interior Designer Found Design

You can literally chop a large room in two simply by using a well thought out layout. Case in point...

SIDE ONE

Contemporary Living Room design by Toronto Interior Designer Meredith Heron

SIDE TWO

Contemporary Living Room design by Toronto Interior Designer Meredith Heron

Like to entertain and need extra seating? Don't line the seating up around the room. Why not buy two sofas and place them parallel to one another?

Traditional Living Room design by Dallas Interior Designer Lilli Design

These are options that most never even think of. Folks, just because Rooms to Go sells a set, doesn't mean you need to buy the entire thing. But, that's a whole other mistake post. : )

Bottom line: Don't be afraid to float a furniture piece or two. Get inspired, there are great ideas on Houzz. So, let's review.....

Make it a great day!

Top Decorating Mistake #1

I've decided to start a new series this month called Top Decorating Mistakes. First off, we can all agree that there are no hard and fast rules about what's right and what's wrong when it comes to decorating your home. For as many "rules" as there are there are just as many acceptable ways to break them. However, there are some things that are generally known as no-no's in the decorating world. In spite of that fact I must say that I frequently run into chronic offenders.

Let's begin, shall we?

Top Decorating Mistake #1 = Artwork hung too high

via

For some strange reason, people tend to hang artwork far too high on their walls.

via

Generally speaking the goal is to have the center of your art and wall hangings at an average eye level. That means if you are 4 ft 10 inches or 6 ft 2 inches, we are not talking your eye level. Of course for every rule there is an exception, so you have to use this rule as a guide. Consider the placement of the artwork. Not sure where to hang pieces? Use paper bags or extra wrapping paper as a template to determine placement. Nail right through it and then simply remove the paper and hang the piece.