Everywhere you look someone is renovating their home right now and they aren’t often using designers. You can design your own home without a designer though if you feel like you have a good eye, a natural instinct, and can make a decision. It won’t be quite as good as if you used a designer but isn’t that most things done without a professional? It always seems like it will be a fun hobby until you realize there is a lot more to it which is why it’s someone’s actual job.

Interior Design is a luxury service though that isn’t always in the budget. So if you decide to design your own home then there are a few mistakes I don’t want you to fall for. At the end of the day your home should be a beautiful space that you love spending time in.

Misstep #1. Everything has to match.

This is probably one of the most common queries I’ve had as a designer. What makes a home feel custom is having different lighting fixtures, faucets, hardware, and materials throughout your home. You probably won’t be buying enough of the same thing that you would be getting a special discount anyway.

It also doesn’t mean it has to be pricey. Pick a supplier and work with them to select a variation of fixtures based on what they have. You can then work with the supplier to negotiate better discounts. They don’t have to be the same items or fixtures.

When you do decide to repeat, change the finish if you can. Or apply it differently. If you used a tile on the floor in one bathroom then use it on the wall in another. If you want to repeat countertops then just have your kitchen and master ensuite be unique.

I don’t want to be too blunt here but it’s boring to repeat every design element. And if you’re here, I feel pretty confident in assuming that you aren’t boring so your home shouldn’t be either.

Misstep #2. Everything must be symmetrical.

There can be an art in symmetry that is beautiful and has its place for sure. But don’t confuse symmetry with balance. Balance can be struck even in an asymmetrical design and can even be more stunning because it’s interesting. 

If you don’t believe me head over to Pinterest and search “asymmetrical interior design”. You’ll find a few examples where balance is still struck and feels gorgeous. Sometimes symmetry can’t be done so I also don’t want you to throw in the towel and live in the dark because the light won’t be centered over the bed.

Misstep #3. Picking one material at a time.

This is one of the most frustrating mistakes because you can’t pick a paint colour out of the air. Of course we can’t guarantee it will look good in your home if we have no idea what else is in your home. This is the same for you.

When you’re deciding your paint colour you should have your flooring with you and vice versa. If you’re looking at cabinetry then bring a paint sample and the floor sample. Then bring all of that when you go to pick your countertop.

A custom home feels cohesive and each design element should complement or elevate their surroundings. That means you need to see them all together when you’re making decisions. When you pick each design element on its own based on a feeling and a hope they can stick out like your baby hairs on a humid day. No one wants that.

I want you to have a home you love!

If you’re building or renovating your home and you can’t work with a designer you can still have a gorgeous home. Avoiding these mistakes will actually help the process feel less stressful because you won’t be caught up in issues that aren’t real issues. Building your design from each element will give you a better chance of creating a cohesive look. And you’ll see when they’re together when they bring out an undertone that you don’t like. Nothing worse than laying down your white oak flooring only to paint the walls and have the white oak look pink.