26 “Things That Make Your House Look Cheap”
- Kat Interior Blogger
- Aug 25, 2022
- 3 min read
Whether you live in your first apartment or dwell in the same house for years, decorating interiors is quite a task. While some see it as a fun and fulfilling challenge, most people instantly feel overwhelmed by myriads of complex and, more importantly, expensive choices when trying to make their humble abode feel more put together.
Of course, there’s no arguing about taste being a matter of preference, and it’s great to make your home feel like you. But interior design is a tricky game to play, and certain solutions may not turn out as expected. So recently, TikToker Krishnan Rajaratnam, who goes by the handle @interiorbykrish, revealed several decor mistakes that might make your home look cheap, and people online are divided.
From crushed diamond mirror furniture to the "Live Laugh Love" type of decorations, we’ve gathered some common faux pas homeowners might want to steer clear of. So take out your notebooks, grab your pens, and decide for yourself whether you agree with them. Make better choices look on @poshnco_furnishing
Another mistake some homeowners make is bad lighting. "Regardless of how expensive, or inexpensive, an interior is, if the lighting is terrible, it will look terrible," she told us. "Overhead bright lights are reminiscent of being under investigation. Hard on the eyes and makes you look terrible. Don’t rely on just a single ceiling light wherever possible." Merrill suggested avoiding this by simply adding a few table and floor lamps is key. "Also, dimmers are your best friend when it comes to lighting. Switching out standard switches for dimmers is a relatively easy DIY project that will give all your rooms flexibility in the lighting."
No matter your decorating budget, you want to create an aesthetically pleasing space that speaks directly to you. "It’s fun to follow trends, but be sure you really actually like it in the first place. Just because everyone is doing gray doesn't mean you will like it. Don’t spend money on things you don’t love." And, most importantly, enjoy the process but take it seriously. "Whether you’re rich or poor, you don’t want to waste money or time," Merrill concluded.
Moreover, when it comes to what you need vs. what you want, she explained that our needs must come first. "For example, if you need a decent sofa and want it to be leather (which can be very, very expensive), this is the time to consider the second-hand furniture route. Genuine aniline leather will last for years. Bonded leather, which comes on cheaper pieces, will not last very long because all it is are micro-thin slices of the leather scraps applied to a paper foundation." "Try to buy the best quality you can on seating and items that will be well-used. Tables get less physical use (usually no one is sitting on them, moving them a lot, etc.) so cheaper stylish versions can be found that will work quite well," she added.
When it comes to timeless design choices that can instantly spruce up your home and require little effort, Merrill said that curb appeal is definitely something to consider. "Adding pretty pots of flowers, a fun doormat and a freshly painted front door will up the look overall. The author Edith Wharton said in her book The Decoration of Houses (pub. 1897) that the transition from outside to inside should be as smooth and easy as possible." According to the interior designer, the outside should set up what’s happening on the inside. "If the outside looks tired and lackluster, the inside will feel the same."
Of course, one of the most important aspects of making your house look stunning is rather simple — declutter. A messy home takes away from the charming space that might be lurking below, Merrill said. "Decluttering and having storage systems in place (such as baskets) to contain toys, clothes, etc., will turn a space around immediately. In the same vein, collections of small items (collectible teapots or action figures) are not elegant unless housed and displayed with intention," she mentioned.
If you’re in the middle of redecorating or feel overwhelmed by the daunting process of designing your own home, Merrill advised you to have patience and be flexible. "Everything is more expensive and is taking longer these days. Long-lead times are annoying but unavoidable much of the time. If you love something, it’s worth the wait. If it’s not worth the wait, you might not love it as much as you think."
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