MOVING into a new home is one of the most exciting, but also stressful, times of our lives.
Transferring all of our belongings to a new space combined with decorating and finding new furniture can be a recipe for interior disaster.
When we are stressed and not thinking clearly, we make mistakes, and they are often costly.
From getting oversized rugs to matching eye-catching furniture sets, there are a lot of things that can go wrong.
And now, sustainable furniture experts at B2C Furniture have used TikTok data to reveal the most common furniture mistakes people are making this year.
The brand’s resident interior stylist, Stacey Clarke, has broken down the eight biggest mistakes Brits make at home.
Luckily, he also shared how you can try to avoid them in the haze of the new home.
Fabulous take a look…
8. RUSH HOUR
One of the most common mistakes people make, especially Brits in their twenties, is rushing to buy furniture and decorate a house too quickly.
“Take the time to think about the use of each room and not get caught up in the excitement of moving or trends,” Stacey shared.
“Having a classic color palette can also help extend the longevity of pieces. Wood or natural woods are timeless, as they resist all trends, but they are also easy to mix.
“This is crucial, because if something else is trendy a few months or a year from now, you can easily adapt your style with smaller pieces like cushions, blankets and home items.”
7. LACK OF LIGHTING
Considering lighting options is vital to creating a pleasant ambiance and energy saving solution for your home; However, it is the seventh biggest mistake homeowners make.
“When you’re watching TV or chatting with a friend over a glass of wine around the table, you don’t necessarily need bright light,” Stacey said.
“Instead, turn off the overhead lights and place a side lamp in the bedroom or a floor lamp in the living room to create mood-lifting ambient lighting.
“This is a great way to save energy and reduce electricity costs.
“When it comes to natural lighting, it’s always nice to have large windows in main living areas.”
Advice from experts in interior design.
6. EASY RETURNS
With the convenience of shopping online, forgetting to check the quality of your furniture can lead to easy mistakes when it comes to size or materials, experts found.
“We live a busy lifestyle, so we often take the easy option, which is going online,” Stacey said.
“Make sure the furniture company you buy from has an easy return policy, especially when buying online.
You don’t want something to arrive in three months when you need the sofa now
Stacey Clarke
“Also, check the company’s warranty policy and when you can expect delivery.
“You don’t want something to arrive in three months when you need the couch now.”
5. LIFESTYLE MATCH
Young people often don’t think about the future when buying furniture, according to research from B2C Furniture.
Instead, they base their choice on appearance rather than comfort, overlooking the longevity of the product.
“This problem lies in accepting trends and getting stuck in the ‘Instagram house’ that looks beautiful but isn’t very practical,” Stacey shared.
“It is important to consider the longevity of the product and how it might adapt to your needs in the future.
“Understanding furniture is an investment, especially when you choose to purchase materials that are durable and will last over the years.”
4. WITHOUT STRUCTURE, IT DOES NOT HAPPEN
Opting for pieces without support or without an acquired structure is the fourth biggest mistake in furniture, but Stacey assured that this mistake comes down to knowledge and experience.
“Take the time to familiarize yourself with the variety of materials available on the market,” he recommended.
“While it is tempting to buy budget furniture ranges that are often considered modern and affordable, these are usually made from poor materials.
While it is tempting to buy budget furniture ranges that are often considered modern and affordable, they are usually made from poor materials.
Stacey Clarke
“Understanding the difference between materials like wood and chipboard or MDF is key. Where wood is more durable, chipboard and MDF are made from sawdust or excess wood, engineered together to form a board.
“They usually have a short lifespan, so avoid furniture made from them, especially bed frames.”
3. MATCHING SETS OF TRENCHES
Buying complete furniture sets is the third biggest mistake people make when decorating their homes.
“Matching furniture can often make a space look boring,” Stacey said.
But she gives a pass to matching furniture sets that are multifunctional, as they can save you a lot of money.
Matching Furniture Can Make a Space Look Boring
Stacey Clarke
“Always make sure you cover all the must-have pieces first,” he added.
“And the multifunctional aspect of this means you can reuse them later in different areas of the house for years to come.”
2. WRONG CARPET
A well-placed and carefully chosen rug is as important to the overall appearance of a space as any piece of furniture.
Additionally, the furniture should cover 30% to 40% of the carpet.
“A general rule of thumb is to make sure the rug is wider than the couch,” Stacey explained.
“You want your rug to sit comfortably within the room, but not dominate it or cover it from wall to wall.
“It’s also helpful to have tape to mark the size of the furniture and its layout before you commit.”
1. POOR SPACE PLANNING
According to Stacey, topping the list of the most common furniture mistakes is poor space planning.
In particular, he urged people not to block doors with furniture.
“You need good access for the doors to open fully, as this will open up the space and make your room appear larger,” the expert explained.
“For the bedroom, think about the possibility of using side tables, since you will not always have space.
“In the living room and dining room, make sure you can access the windows and not block the TV or doorways.”
