THE DESIGN MISTAKES YOU’RE MAKING RIGHT NOW

You just bought your new home, and you’re ready to put your personal stamp on it. Go get that paint brush and paint those kitchen cabinets neon yellow! It’s your home, right? What’s the problem?

For starters, making bold changes to your home without considering a few things, like… how they might affect resale value, your taste level, the taste level of other people who might want to buy your home some day, how hard it might be to paint over neon yellow, whether or not you are qualified to do a decent job painting your cabinets neon yellow (or any color for that matter)… may not be your best option.

You’re making mistakes in your home everyday, whether by changing the big things, not changing the small things, or just plain changing things wrong, according to Yahoo (via HGTV). They talked to “some of today’s hottest interior designers to count down” the top decorating mistakes found in American home design.

You can check out the full list here. We’ve included a few of our faves below, and also added a few of our own.

1. Toilet Rugs

“Toilet rugs are cut to fit around the toilet and sometimes have the carpet-like matching seat cover. Opt for a regular rectangular rug placed away from the base of the toilet instead,” said Yahoo.

We have to agree. And, we would add, this is especially important if you have boys. Just think about it.

2. Following Fads

It’s easy to fall in love with something and then never let it go. “From beanbag chairs to lava lamps, be careful of trends as it’s difficult to get rid of those items once the fad is gone, especially furniture,” said Yahoo. Decorate in a style you’ll really like for a long time such as getting a modern sleeper sofa. Have fun with it, but be ready to recycle it when it goes out of style.

Speaking of which…

3. Faux finishing

It’s over. Really. You should do something about that.

4. Outdated Accessories

One of the easiest and most economical updates for a house is updating cabinet hardware. If yours look like this…

it’s time.

“Don’t let your rooms feel dated by hanging on to older cabinets and especially hardware,” said Yahoo. “Make small changes like switching the hardware on your kitchen or bath cabinets for a big impact.”

5. Thinking You Can Do It All Yourself

They make contractors and plumbers and electricians for a reason. It’s because they are skilled at doing stuff the average person is not. We can’t all be Mr. Fix It.

That doesn’t mean you can’t fix a toilet or build a closet. But it may mean you should stay away from the kitchen sink and the electrical panel. And probably the HVAC system and the roof. Make sure to hire a professional drain cleaning contractor to avoid clogging that may cause damage. Don’t be afraid to hire out a residential or commercial electrician and write a check for residential electrical installs. You can always count on Gator Electric and Communications for your electrical concerns.

It may actually save you money in the end. It will most certainly save you frustration.

That being said…

6. Not Thinking You Can Do Anything Yourself.

Just because the bookcase you bought at IKEA gave you fits and took two weeks to assemble doesn’t mean you aren’t capable of doing anything. There is pride in DIY… if you start small and take on a job you can finish, and do well.

If you’re a DIY virgin, ease in by painting a wall. You can always have it repainted. Or torn down, depending on how bad your paint job is.

7. Cable Cobwebs

The cords coming from your TV look like a spider web and you’re so used to it you don’t even notice anymore, right? Visitors to your home will, and this sloppy look is taking away from your chic style.

“Keep wires hidden at all times with these easy solutions” from Yahoo:

1. 1. Use a staple gun to attach them to the back of furniture or along baseboards.
2. 2. Find a cord cover that matches your wall color.
3. 3. If the furniture isn’t a valuable antique, drill a hole in the back for the cords to go through.

If none of that is feasible, purchase a cord keeper for a couple bucks from IKEA, or repurpose the twisty-tie from your package of bread.