I’m an interior design expert and here are the top 5 decorating mistakes people make that make their homes look dated

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

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

FEMAIL spoke to Simon Ribchester, head of design at The beamswho explained 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 experience that ‘homey’ feeling when hosting guests, especially if it’s because of old decor.

Timeless trends that don’t need modification offer better value for money – and are more sustainable for the planet.

Here, Simon reveals his top five design mistakes and – most importantly – how to avoid them…

1. The ‘busy’ decoration

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

Simon recommends taking a closer look at the ‘negative space’ in any room and not being afraid to leave some wall and floor bare.

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 design element’.

‘It has the power to make a room feel cosy, warm and inviting – or quite uncomfortable!’ he said.

‘The most common lighting mistakes include strong and too choppy light.

‘Try to achieve three layers of lightening for the perfect glow. Ambient lights are for general visibility, while task lighting is for a specific task, such as cooking or reading.

“Meanwhile, accent lighting helps to illuminate a feature, object or area for aesthetic effect.

“A good tip to avoid too many light switches is to place random bulbs in their circuit so that they can be operated by one switch.”

3. Mess in the bathroom

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 clutter on the sides, which can become distracting.”

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

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

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 ‘soft’ – and a home that falls victim to the latter can lack warmth and character,” said Simon.

He encouraged all homeowners to “bring individuality” into their homes and consider a mood board for inspiration – however he advised people not to fall into the usual traps.

“A common misconception is that incorporating lots of bold colors adds personality – that’s not necessarily the case, and you won’t feel completely comfortable living in the space if it’s not your style!” he warned.

“If neutral colors and minimalism are more to your liking, personality can be achieved through other means such as intricate design details, textile choices and interesting patterns.

Similarly, cohesive colors featured elsewhere in the home, in contrast to subdued minimalism, can be quite powerful in adding character.

“Where possible, shop at vintage stores to find pieces that are not only unique, but a sustainable choice.”

5. Poor presentation

A good layout should allow you to move effortlessly through any space with ease. It can make all the difference to how you feel in your space,” Simon advised.

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

Be careful to consider the layout and design of your space, he advised, because there’s a lot to consider.

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

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