Even though interior decorating is always centered around a homeowner’s particular style, there are still certain things that should always be avoided. Some people find that they really have a knack for decorating, whereas others might need some help. Whatever your degree of decorating savvy, here are the top 5 interior decorating mistakes and how to avoid them in your home, no matter what kind of room you’re working with.

1. Interior Decorating without a Plan or Vision
One of the worst things you can do is to start decorating a room with absolutely no plan or vision. What usually ends up happening is that the room will look like it was randomly put together and nothing will flow. It’s really important to already have some sort of plan drawn out or at least a vision of what you want before you buy even one piece of décor. You don’t have to come up with anything elaborate; just a few quick ideas scribbled on a piece of paper will give you something you can work with.

2. Complementary and Contrasting Home Décor: Too Much Matching
Those people who have the tendency to want everything to match often end up with a living room, for instance, that is all tan and brown. If your goal is a monochromatic look, then this might be perfect for you. But most decorating schemes need complementary and contrasting colors added to the décor. These variations give the room something interesting that will stand out, rather than the whole room just being drowned out in one or two colors.

3. Disorganization: Decoratively Organize Your Room
Organization is one of the most important aspects of any room. A stylish décor’s not going to be noticed if the room is disorganized and a mess. Look for functional pieces as well as decorative ones when choosing items for your room. Bookcases for instance, can do a lot more than just hold books. You can put wicker baskets on the shelves to hide such items as remotes, toys, magazines, and other miscellaneous things.

It’s important to utilize any storage space you have in a room. Clothes might be stored under the bed, and bathroom cabinets might have small baskets in them for small items such as toothbrushes, floss, and other personal items. Try not to leave small items lying out all over the house. With a little creativity, you can find places to store and organize those items out of sight.

4. Getting Furniture without First Checking Room Dimensions
It’s always really important to take measurements in a room before you buy any type of furniture, whether its a television stand for your family room or wood beds for your bedrooms. You don’t want to end up having your couch take up your whole family room. And you also don’t want a couch that’s dwarfed by a huge living room space.

So be sure to plan your furniture according to the dimensions of the room. It’s also a good idea to buy your furniture first before you do anything else, as styles can be worked around the furniture and this way you’ll know how much leftover space you have to work with.

5. Pictures Placed Too High on the Walls
This is a very commonly made mistake when it comes to interior decorating. Pictures should be hung on the wall at eye level and no higher. If you’re hanging a huge portrait, however, it can go slightly higher so it’s away from the floor. In this case, the middle of the picture should be at eye level. The key is to be able to look at the artwork straight on instead of having to look up to see it.

These are just some of the most common interior decorating mistakes made by homeowners. Those who avoid these mistakes will be well on their way to a beautifully decorated home.

Do you feel your kitchen is lacking something or is just totally out-of-date? There are several inexpensive ways to update the look of your kitchen while still being able to afford groceries for the month. You might be stuck with your floor plan, unless you have thousands of dollars to completely redo the entire kitchen. But there are ways to accentuate the positive and spruce up the kitchen you have.

Add New Cabinet Hardware
Adding new hardware might sound really simple, but it can really affect the scheme of your kitchen. By taking off old hardware (if you even have any) and adding new handles and pulls, you can turn an ordinary cabinet into something decidedly more stylish. For a more contemporary look, go with silver or brushed nickel handles. Cabinet pulls and handles vary in price, anywhere from $0.50 a pull to upward of $20. So be sure to set a budget ahead of time and account for all the hardware you’ll need.

Apply a Fresh Coat of Paint
Paint is inexpensive but can instantly change the look of a room. The low cost will be especially true if you have a small kitchen or not much exposed wall area. For those who have wallpaper, painting can give a kitchen an instant facelift. Be aware, however, that the project will be more time consuming than if you didn’t have the wallpaper to tear down. Choose a color that’s updated and fresh, but be sure it will still go well with the look and color of your cabinets. If you’re not happy with your cabinets, this may be a good time to stain or repaint them as well. If your ceiling is sporting those ugly yellow grease marks, consider repainting it as well.

Freshen Up Your Kitchen by Adding Some Green
The simple addition of a plant or flower arrangement to your kitchen can bring an element of freshness to the space. Be sure not to clutter the plants or flowers. One on top of a cabinet or one in the corner of the room will be enough to change the look of your space. If you go with a real plant or flowers, be sure to take care of them or you’ll be wasting your money.

Add a New Light Fixture
You can really spruce up your kitchen with a new light. Light fixtures vary in price, but you should be able to find a great light for your kitchen for under $100. If your kitchen currently contains recessed fluorescent lighting, that is definitely something to update. Consider something totally different such as a chandelier in the middle of the kitchen. Track lighting is another great option, as it gives you light in the areas of the kitchen, such as the stove, where you need it the most. A new light fixture is not only functional, in that it adds new light to the space, but it also can bring a sense of style to the room.

Put Your China on Display
Do you have beautiful china that’s hidden away in your cabinets or hutch? Why not put it to good use and display it? An easy option is to take one of your cabinet doors off the hinge and replace it with a glass cabinet door. Then you can arrange the china in the cabinet to show it off, and voilà, you have an instant attention-getter. Another great display idea is to put up a shelf on one of the walls and display your china there. Just be sure to fasten the china to the wall so it doesn’t fall.

It doesn’t take a lot of money to update your kitchen. By using your creativity and the resources you have, you can add instant style to any kitchen. Now that you’ve tackled the kitchen you should consider working on your dining room. In a a future post we’ll be be talking about getting beautiful dining sets and oak dining room tables to help enhance the look of your home and compliment your kitchen makeover.

Believe it or not, however small your budget, it is possible to bring new style to any room in your home. There are so many inexpensive ways to add style to your home, giving it a whole new look. Following are some great tips on decorating your home while sticking to your budget.

1. Paint is the best way to spruce up a room on a tight budget. A couple of gallons of paint will run you less than $50 and can entirely change the look of your room. Bright or bold colors will add drama to the room, whereas more neutral colors will give it a more natural appearance. There are so many ways to use paint creatively. You might choose to paint only one wall an accent color, which will make that wall the focal point of the room. Try painting stripes or use a textured painting technique to add some real interest to the walls.
2. . Another place you can make a big impact for little money is your windows. You can choose from a variety of different window coverings for any type of room. Even if you already have simple vertical blinds you don’t want to get rid of, a valance placed at the top of the window will add more drama to the area.There are so many creative ways to dress a window. Try taking sheer material and draping over a decorative curtain rod as a simple and inexpensive decorating idea. Another easy idea is long curtain panels tied back with thick ribbon or velvet.
3. You can largely impact the look of a room by simply adding some accessories that will tie the room together. So often it’s the little things that count when it comes to décor. When used the correct way, accessories such as candles, photos, flowers, and baskets can add a lot to a room. For instance, adding a row of candles to an oak coffee table will give a room a more intimate feeling. Your kitchen might look more inviting with the simple addition of a vase of flowers. Even the simplest things, such as new towels in a bathroom, can make a huge difference.For those on a tight budget, shop flea markets and consignment stores for these types of items. You may spend a little more time shopping, but this can save you a ton of money, especially if you have your whole house to decorate.
4. A simple strategy for a new look is to rearrange the furniture or pull items from one room and use them in another. If your budget is really tight, it makes sense to work with what you have. Always be on the lookout for pieces you can refurbish and add your own style to. Perhaps that old vase that used to hold flowers in the family room might be spray painted with a metallic finish and used as a centerpiece for the dining room table. Look carefully at the items you have and envision how you might change them to fit the style you’re looking for.

Just because you’re decorating doesn’t mean you have to spend thousands of dollars. You’ll be surprised at how far $100 or $200 will get you in bringing style to your home on a tight budget.

When it comes to decorating, the master bedroom is often the most neglected room in the house. Sometimes homeowners simply run out of money or ideas after finishing the rest of the house, or perhaps they just never got around to bringing their own style to the room. Rather than waiting until you have the time or funds, consider the following quick-and-easy decorating ideas that will instantly add style to the master bedroom.

Decorating Your Walls
A simple change of paint color can take your bedroom in a whole new direction. Painting is not only easy and inexpensive, but it doesn’t take that much time. There are many different options to choose from when it comes to painting the master bedroom.

If you’re happy with your bedding, find a shade that complements existing colors. Or if you’re considering new bedding, you can go with the color scheme of your choice. You might also opt for an easier route and paint an accent wall;  a good choice might be the one your bed is against.

Another quick decorating tip is to hang a painting on one wall. Choose whatever type of painting best fits the décor of the room. You might even try hanging a couple of different smaller paintings on the same wall in a random pattern. Paintings and photographs can be found at your local department store or even at discount stores.

Choosing Your Bedding
The focal point of any bedroom is the bed. If you’re not set on a particular décor, start with the bedding first. You can see what’s available at your local stores, or even browse online for different bedding ideas.

Don’t spend a lot of money on your bedding set; you can always find something simple to add to it. A great way to add some color or texture to your bed is with pillows. For instance, inexpensive throw pillows will add design and interest to a plain bedding set. For a romantic look, you can even create a canopy around your bed by hanging tulle or silk from the ceiling.

Adding Accessories
Begin by removing any clutter that may be on top of any furniture in the room such as dressers or nightstands. Remember, it’s a lot easier to decorate a room when you’re not looking at a mess. Put away any items you want to keep in drawers and then get rid of whatever else you don’t need.

Once you can see your furniture, you’ll be able to determine the best places to add accessories to your room. For instance, a unique lamp might make a great addition to a nightstand, whereas candles or a vase of flowers might be the perfect touch for the dresser.

Decorating a master bedroom can be a surprisingly simple process. By adding simple design touches here and there, you can create a space that is entirely your own.