Top 5 Decorating Mistakes That Make Homes Look Dated: Insights from an Interior Design Expert

In our approach to home design, we often gravitate towards what feels familiar, with some people opting for neutral tones while others choose bright colors.

But according to one expert, some of our decorative choices risk making our homes look outdated or impractical.

FEMAIL spoke to Simon Ribchester, head of design at Beamswho explained that your home should be “an expression of who you are and reflect how you feel in a particular room or space.”

No homeowner wants to feel that “bare house” feeling when welcoming guests, especially if it’s due to outdated decor.

Timeless trends that won’t need to be changed offer better value for money and are more sustainable for the planet.

Here, Simon reveals his top five design missteps and, more importantly, how to avoid them…

1. “Busy” decoration

It’s easy to get carried away when designing a space, but this can produce visual overload. The room may end up seeming too busy and noisy.

Simon recommends taking a closer look at the “negative space” in each room and not being afraid to leave some wall and floor space.

He said: “I like to play with subtle textures; for example, wavy tiles to add interest, but keep the palette simple.

2. Bad lighting

According to Simon, lighting is a “crucial element of design”.

“It has the power to make the room comfortable, warm and welcoming – or rather uncomfortable! ” he said.

“The most common lighting mistakes include bright light and too many switches.

“Try to get three layers of lighting to get the perfect glow. Ambient lights are for general visibility, while task lighting is for a specific task, like cooking or reading.

“For its part, accent lighting allows you to illuminate an element, an object or an area to obtain an aesthetic effect.

“A good tip to avoid too many switches is to place the secondary lamps on their own circuit, so that they can be operated from a single switch.”

3. Bathroom clutter

Simon believes many homeowners “underestimate” the importance of bathroom storage, which can help achieve a “minimal” look.

He added: “However, the reality for most people is that you end up with a lot of mess around the sides, which can become annoying.”

The expert suggested several different options, including storage in the shower to organize toiletries.

“I also advise using the height of a room to maximize storage solutions for larger items, such as large towels and cleaning supplies,” he added.

Simon Ribchester, head of design at Beams, advises using the height of a room to maximize storage solutions for larger items, such as large towels.

If neutral colors appeal to you, personality can be achieved through intricate design details and textile choices.

4. Lack of personality

“I think we can all agree that our homes reflect who we are. There’s a fine line between ‘minimalism’ and ‘bland’ – and a home falling victim to the latter can lack warmth and character,” said Simon.

He encouraged all homeowners to “bring individuality” into their home and consider a mood board for inspiration – but he advised people not to fall into common traps.

“A common misconception is that incorporating lots of bright colors adds personality. This isn’t necessarily the case, and you won’t feel fully comfortable in this space if it’s not your style! he warned.

“If neutral colors and minimalism appeal more to you, personality can be achieved in other ways, such as intricate design details, textile choices and interesting patterns.

“Similarly, consistent pops of color elsewhere in the home, contrasting with muted minimalism, can be very powerful in adding character.

“Whenever possible, shop in vintage stores to find features that are not only unique, but also a sustainable choice. »

5. Bad layout

“A good layout should allow you to move easily and effortlessly through each space. It can make all the difference in how you feel in your space,” advised Simon.

“A lack of cohesion can create an awkward flow, while creating rooms that are too small or too large wastes valuable space.”

He advises you to think carefully about the layout and design of your space, as there are a lot of things to keep in mind.

“Perhaps one of the most important things to consider is making sure your floor plan reflects an accurate scale,” Simon said.

“This will ensure that the precise proportions, dimensions and measurements of your room are in harmony.”