When it comes to the interior design industry, creativity has no bounds. Being an interior designer isn’t just about creating pretty bedspreads, designing gallery walls and picking paint colours; it is the awareness and ability to transform any room into a visually appealing and functional space. Although this career may seem lighthearted and fun, it comes with several pitfalls that even the most experienced interior designers face or have faced at least once along their journey with clients. Let’s look at some of the most common mistakes and mishaps in this industry and how these can be avoided in the future.
Putting Their Preferences First
One of the more substantial errors an interior designer can make is disregarding their client’s requirements and goals. As an interior designer, you are collaborating with others to design a dream home. You are there to add your expert opinion and build upon their proposed ideas. It should be tailored to their lifestyle, preferences and needs, which should have been previously discussed. Failing to listen to the visions of your clients will result in a design that reflects your style more than theirs.
Overlooking The Budget
Creating someone’s dream home often comes with a hefty price tag. However, exceeding the client’s budget is a big NO. Effective communication about the costs of items you are purchasing and adding to the home, as well as transparent budget planning beforehand, are essential. An experienced and well-respected interior designer can work effectively and productively within a budget to create a home with balanced aesthetics and functionality.
Overcrowding Spaces
Many interior designers will agree that less is often more with many homes. Overcrowding a space with excessive furniture, decor, and patterns can create a chaotic space that nobody can truly relax in. Unless instructed otherwise by your client, simplicity is key. Smaller, subtle elements can enhance the overall appeal of a room dramatically, making it more inviting and visually pleasing.
Forgetting About Textures
Textures will add significant depth and dimension to any space, making it visually stimulating and tactile. Overlooking the significance of adding varied textures into the room you are designing can result in a flat and uninteresting home that doesn’t fulfil the needs and asks of your client. An experienced interior designer will skillfully incorporate textures, with the likes of rugs, curtains, flooring and furniture that elevate the sensory experience of the room they are completing.
Neglecting Functionality
While most people will approach interior design looking for a visually stunning result, they must, of course, also be practical and functional. If an interior designer prioritises aesthetics over functionality, this can lead to impractical spaces that don’t serve their purpose and make the client’s life harder. It’s crucial to find the right balance between a beautiful home and spaces that people can comfortably live in.
Disregarding Lighting
Lighting is the unsung hero of every home. Insufficient and ineffective lighting can jeopardise the ambience of rooms, which is something every interior designer needs to avoid. You can fill a home with the most stunning decor; however, the lighting can instantly change how it is perceived. Interior designers should understand the nuances of natural and artificial lighting, utilising them to enhance and highlight key elements of the rooms they are designing effectively.
Ignoring Current Trends
New trends on and offline are constantly shaping the interior design industry; therefore, designers who fail to stay updated risk creating outdated spaces that do not align with their client’s wishes. Embracing social media and other platforms can ensure you, as an interior designer, are consistently understanding current trends. This is essential for staying relevant in the competitive field of interior design.
Going Cheap
If you are considering skimping on the quality of the items you add to the space to save on your allocated budget, quite simply – don’t! Quality materials and workmanship are essential to providing clients a home that lasts a lifetime and meets their expectations. Interior designers should prioritise the standards of pieces they purchase within every aspect of their work, ensuring that the final result stands the test of time.
Unfulfilling Colour Psychology
Unknown to some, colours have a profound impact on emotions and mood. Ignoring the psychological effects of colours can lead to spaces that feel unsettling or uninspiring. Interior designers should have a deep understanding of colour psychology, choosing only the shades and tones that align with the desired use and atmosphere proposed by their clients.
In conclusion, your client, their aesthetics and the functionality of the room should always be a priority, as well as embracing sustainability and staying updated with trends. Interior designers can create spaces that are not only visually beautiful, surpassing the client’s expectations, but also have flow and function for all those who inhabit them. Any interior designer can be faced with challenges throughout their career; however, avoiding these significant “don’ts” can pave the way for success in this industry.
