The Home Staging Factory shares secrets for how to decorate a house / Home Staging Factory
The Home Staging Factory shares secrets for how to decorate a house / Home Staging Factory

Furnishing and decorating a house isn’t as easy as it first seems. There are many common mistakes that even some professionals make. In today's idealista/news article on Home Staging, presented by the Home Staging Factory, we give you a guide to everything you need to know to have the perfect decor. In the end, our goal is to teach you how to make the most of the potential of each space and make your home more attractive.

Furnishing and decorating a house is easy, right? It's just a matter of looking at the house, taking the measurements and going shopping, getting some inspiration from the collections in the shops.

In actual fact, when we walk through a showroom, a decoration shop or an already furnished space, it seems that everything lines up perfectly, everything makes sense and we can easily do the same at home. Well, even if it seems so, decorating is not an easy task and there are many common mistakes made even by some professionals.

If you don't believe us, try this exercise. Take a piece of paper and a pen, draw a square room, the entrance door on one wall and windows on two others. Now place the sofa, the TV stand, a support table, the dining table and six chairs. Sometimes a little exercise turns into a puzzle, especially when you start to put everything on scale.

In reality, decorating is like a puzzle, the only difference being that we don't even have the pieces picked out for us yet. What’s more, there’s such a wide range of options that only a trained professional can create functional, coherent, aesthetically appealing, welcoming, comfortable and captivating environments relatively quickly and economically.

If you like a challenge, it’s time to get to work decorating! Beware of these most common mistakes:

Lack of planning

The most common mistake is to start at the end. Going shopping and buying everything you like the look of without first checking what fits, what makes sense and the needs and characteristics of the space is a sure road to decorating disaster.

To get good results, it’s not enough just to look at the space and have beautiful furniture at home. You have to plan, to think, to project. Studying the quantity, dimensions and functionality of the furniture, defining the colours and style is fundamental for the success of the final result.

How not to decorate / Home Staging Factory
How to decorate / Home Staging Factory

Not taking measurements

Another common mistake, believe it or not, is to buy furniture without taking into account the space it will go in. Shops are (usually) much bigger than our houses and most people get the feeling that the sofa on show is the perfect size for their living room, when actually it’s far too big.

At the same time, without taking the right measurements you run the risk of buying parts that don’t fit together, for example, the closet ends up being too big and the dresser too. Regardless of the size of the space, if the dimensions of the pieces are appropriate, the space will be warm, coherent and visually pleasing. Otherwise you will be left with a small, overcrowded space and no room to live in.

How not to decorate / Home Staging Factory
How to decorate / Home Staging Factory

Buying on looks alone

Before choosing a piece of furniture, you have to think about the purpose and functionality of the space. If you have a very small space, for example, it may be important to think about how you are going to solve the problem of layout. A good solution is to buy beds with built-in storage, a sofa bed or a chest to serve as a bedside table. Remember that in addition to style, furniture must be ergonomic, comfortable and functional.

Before you go shopping, measure the space well. Try the sofa, sit down at the table and try to imagine how you are going to live day to day with this in your home.

Poor colour choices

The colour palette is fundamental and can make or break any decoration. It is important to have a neutral base and to work with the colours of the accessories. It is preferable to use several similar shades (e.g. earthy tones) than to paint the house with strong colours that stand out and fill the space. Abusing strong colours brings neither balance nor serenity and creates stressful living environments.

How not to decorate / Home Staging Factory
How to decorate / Home Staging Factory

Taking the easy way out

Another big mistake to avoid is buying the pre-fabricated sets, such as a complete bedroom set of bed, dresser and bedside tables, or a complete dining set! What at first glance seems like an ideal solution is a disaster for your home environment. It'll look like you brought home the showroom from the store. The mixture and the combination of various styles give personality to the atmosphere.

How not to decorate / Home Staging Factory
How to decorate / Home Staging Factory

Overcluttering

Minimise! Don’t fill the house with junk, accessories, frames and paintings; it's better to have fewer things that are well organised than a lot of pretty trash. Have the most beautiful things stand out and leave everything else in drawers and cabinets.

Arrange accessories in groups instead of spreading them around the shelves because this creates the feeling of an exhibition of unconnected things. Invest in organisers, cabinets, shelving and storage spaces to keep everything tidy. An excess of pieces creates a confusing and heavy atmosphere.

Imagine that your home is an art gallery and show off what's really important and beautiful – you'll see that even your energy changes!

How not to decorate / Home Staging Factory
How to decorate / Home Staging Factory

Poor lighting

Good lighting is essential to increase the feeling of space, making it more welcoming, illuminating corners and making the space attractive and functional. Don't forget that the colours you paint your house can also contribute to the lighting of the space. Plan the lighting of each space to create a harmonious atmosphere. Bedrooms and living rooms should have indirect, warm lighting. Choose yellow and not white lights.

White light only makes sense in places that require a lot of light, such as the kitchen and bathrooms. Even then, go for some indirect light in these spaces. The type of lighting chosen has a direct and immediate impact on the sensations generated by the space. Try to use the various lighting options to make the most of your space.

How not to decorate / Home Staging Factory
How to decorate / Home Staging Factory

Keeping up with the Joneses

Create an atmosphere that suits your lifestyle and taste and where you feel good; don't fall into the trap of choosing a certain environment just because it looks nice in a magazine.

Try making an ‘inspiration board’ with pictures of furniture and decorative pieces and you’ll be able to see if it’s coherent and if you like it. Remember that you can mix up some pieces, but don't try to have a classic and avant-garde house. It doesn't work. You have to choose or you run the risk of creating a space where you don't feel at home.

Following the latest fashion is a very common mistake. Even though you may like to change often, don't make the mistake of going out and buying this season’s whole new collection – it will only be outdated in a few months. Instead, go for beautiful and timeless pieces and change the accessories regularly. Follow your style and don't follow the fashions.

Decorate with your own personal style / Home Staging Factory