Brits often make the same mistakes with their interiors, but may not even realize what they’re doing wrong.
But an expert has now uncovered the problems you could be causing in your living room.
Pippa Jameson, author of The Sensory Home, has teamed up with DFS to reveal the eight different mistakes people make in their homes.
She told FEMAIL: “One mistake people always make is following convention: they see something on social media and think, ‘I have to have this.’
‘We go blind to rooms that don’t work and it’s hard to see a problem when you’re in it.”
Here she explained the different mistakes, from too much furniture crowded together to choose the wrong color scheme and how best to avoid them…
1. Ignoring noise nuisance
Perfect Layout: Pippa Jameson, author of The Sensory Home, teams up with furniture retailer DFS to help people create a home that feels good and works for them. She revealed ‘flow’ and the use of relaxing colors is essential when it comes to the sensory experience
Pippa explained that noise pollution can have a disruptive effect on the inviolability of a room.
She said, “When selecting and arranging furniture, consider how it might affect the sound entering your quiet space.
If you have a noisy neighbor, put your bookcase against the wall closest to their house.’
2. Follow trends
The expert explained that you shouldn’t follow the bulk of what you’re “intended” to do if it doesn’t work for you or your space
The expert explained that you shouldn’t follow the bulk of what you’re “intended” to do if it doesn’t work for you or your space.
She revealed, “For example, your couch doesn’t have to be against the wall and you don’t have to have matching items if you don’t want to!”
“Social media can make it tempting to make choices that don’t fit your space, and we can lose track of what works for us.
“In that sense, try to be quirky and go for what works for you.”
3. Forgetting practical matters
The expert revealed: ‘Often you decorate a living room and choose a sofa because that’s the trend, but we have to be kind to our bodies and choose furniture that fits our comfort needs and how we like to lounge. at.
“For example, if you have back problems, don’t go for a soft chair because it looks good.
‘If you like to stretch out on your couch, make sure it’s long enough for you, or opt for a relax couch.’
4. Use of synthetic air fresheners
Incompatible materials: according to Pippa, a common mistake people make is that there is no synergy between materials in your home – and using synthetic air fresheners
Meanwhile, Pippa also revealed, “Your sense of smell is one of the most powerful senses and is often overlooked. It has the ability to evoke really powerful memories.
“Avoid synthetic air fresheners where possible, as they don’t help with clean air in the home – natural vaporizers or botanical options are a lot kinder to the senses and have an immediate effect.”
She said, “One of the biggest mistakes I see people making in their living room is not thinking about the power of scent.
“We all know how much influence scent can have on us, it can transport us and it’s so powerful – very few people use it.”
5. Too many features
Mistakes: The expert revealed that you need to figure out what the functionality of the room will be as our rooms are now more multifunctional than ever
Try to have a separate area in your living room for personal time – perhaps a corner to read in, an area to do some yoga, or a comfortable chair where you can listen to your favorite music – whether that be the sounds of nature or rock music!
Pipa said, “When people move in, they choose a room and don’t optimize it for their lifestyle, sometimes causing unconscious stress.
“This means a room isn’t working and they don’t really know why, what they did wrong or how to fix it.
‘So you first have to consider what the functionality of the room will be.
“Our rooms are now more multifunctional than ever, so you need to make sure your furniture matches that.”
‘For example, modular sofas that you can turn around or an extendable table that can also serve as an office and dining area.’
6. “Happy triggers” in the wrong place
You need feeling in your living space – be it art, photos or anything that brings you happiness.
But when you’re in your favorite armchair, you need something within your eyeline that will be a lucky trigger – it’s a common mistake to have these triggers all at eye level when you’re standing instead of sitting.
7. No layered lighting
Low lighting with side lamps, floor lamps and dimmable switches to adapt the lighting to the time of day and your activity
Low lighting with side lamps, floor lamps and dimmable switches to adapt the lighting to the time of day and your activity.
Or the next step is sensory colored lighting to match your mood – pinks and purples can be soothing, but you want light that you can change throughout the day.
Also consider the color of your walls to complement the overall atmosphere.
Pippa said: ‘People have similar issues with light, it’s really important to ‘layer’ your lighting – rather than just using the ‘big light’ all the time, to have light that can change throughout the day.
“I use striped LED lighting to regulate the space for sensory reasons and to add color in a subtle way.”
8. Lack of storage space
Mistakes: Pippa revealed that lack of storage space and clutter is the main cause of stress as it is a constant presence that can make us feel out of control and chaotic
According to Pippa, the common mistake people make is that there is no synergy between materials in your home.
Try to avoid clashing materials – nothing shiny and plastic next to something nice and wool – try to invest in finding natural materials that go together.
Pippa added: ‘Our home environment is intrinsically linked to our mental health.
“Lack of storage space and clutter is the number one cause of stress because it’s a constant presence that can make us feel out of control and chaotic.”
Lou Petersen, head of design innovation at DFS, added: ‘Our research shows that many households may not be aware of how our interiors can affect our mood, and that making a few small changes to their home can make a big difference when it comes to how they feel in space.
‘While 61 percent of households opt for white, brown/beige or gray as standard for the color of their living room walls, many miss the relaxing properties of colour.
‘Our homes are our havens from the stresses of everyday life, and while we tend to prioritize how they look, it’s also important to create a home that makes you feel good, whatever your style’ thing’, or trying to create the mood you’re in.’