Top 5 Interior Design Tips for an Instant Refresh & The Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid

Top 5 Expensive Mistakes Common with DIY Design or Junior Designers

1. Overpaying

The luxury home decor market is relatively small; most designers, suppliers, and contractors know one another and have built mutually beneficial relationships. Through this camaraderie, an experienced designer can source items at lower prices and with quicker timelines.

A smart interior design tip is to tap into existing industry relationships to secure better pricing, higher value, and quicker delivery.

2. Choosing Items that Need Frequent Replacement

The goal is always to get the most value at the most affordable price. However, this does not always work. While you can cut corners and save money in some cases, in others, you simply can’t.

A common interior design mistake to avoid is letting price be the only deciding factor. Doing so might lead you to choose lower-quality materials and poor workmanship, which most often require replacements and repairs, driving up costs in the long run.

3. Schedule Delays

Another valuable interior design tip is knowing that time is of the essence. In this field, delays can be costly.

Bringing your luxury interior design ideas to life involves coordinating and assembling pieces and services from multiple vendors and contractors, which takes time. However, the longer a project delays, the more it costs in labor, temporary housing, and storage, among other things.

4. Contractor Coordination Issues

Which comes first, the flooring or the cabinets? Pick the wrong one, and you’ll end up needing to repeat some things. So, how do you avoid this common interior design mistake?

Our interior design tip is to choose an interior designer who understands the construction process and can coordinate with contractors and subcontractors to ensure the right steps are taken.

5. Negatively Affecting Your Resale Value

There’s nothing quite like the joy of watching your luxury interior design ideas take shape in a remodel. But in your enthusiasm, you run the danger of putting in more than you would get back in a sale. A good interior designer will ensure that the remodel makes you money.

Homes that Living With Lolo design typically sell for 30% more than the highest competition in the neighborhood (see our portfolio). Plus, buyers often offer to purchase all the furniture too. With us, homeowners always get a return on their investment along with a more beautiful, functional space in the meantime.

a remodeled living room done by an experienced interior decorator

Top 5 Quick-Win Ways to Create a 5-Star Quality Design at Home: Interior Design Tips You Need

1. Get Proper Lighting

Ever noticed just how good hotel lighting is? It’s because lighting dictates the atmosphere in a room. It’s also cost-effective and easy to implement. Here are some tips to guide you when choosing lighting:

Adding dimmers easily elevates the ambiance in a room
Task lighting enhances the comfort and usability of a space
Statement fixtures energize a space because they’re art features. Think of them as the jewelry of a room!

Decorative lighting feature in a living room

2. Use Accent Walls to Add Personality to Any Room

Incorporating accent walls is a top interior design tip. If hotel walls can be bold, so can yours. Don’t settle for plain white or off-white. Paint in some color or use wallpaper. Adding a pop of color or texture to the ceiling is also a good idea.

3. Upgrade Your Home with Cutting-Edge Automation

Conveniences here and there add to your experience in a room. Consider implementing automated systems for security, climate control, and entertainment.

An automated fireplace beneath a flat screen TV

Patio with ceiling fans and outdoor furnishings

4. Add Comfort and Style with Luxurious Amenities

A common interior design mistake DIYers and less experienced designers make is prioritizing price over comfort. They avoid luxurious amenities to cut costs, but this often results in a simple setup without the wow factor.

Living With Lolo’s design services can get you 30% of the way there without a full remodel.

5. Balance Style with Security and Privacy

The fifth of our interior design tips is to make your security features contribute to your style too. Drapery, for example, should do more than just cover windows. Besides securing your privacy and softening light, they can also be a striking design feature.

6. Bonus: Customization and Personalization are Key to Timeless Design

Store-bought pieces are good, but custom pieces built precisely to fit your space are a game-changer. Custom-built cabinetry, furniture, and other elements add a unique and personal touch and are a great fit for your space.

AWARD-WINNING.

As Seen In: Celebrated by Top Media. Trusted by Real Families.

Work with an Experienced Interior Designer

Avoid common interior design mistakes homeowners make when DIYing or working with a junior designer. Get Living With Lolo, a full-service, high-end residential interior designer, to bring out those luxury interior design ideas exactly as you envisioned them.

We’re an award-winning design firm praised for our intuitive ability to understand what clients want and to bring their visions to life. We’ll be honored to take on your project and add it to our many success stories. Use our form to schedule a call at your convenience.

FAQs

How do I choose materials that last?

Consider your lifestyle, the durability of items, and maintenance. For example, if you have kids or pets, it’s best to go for stain-resistant fabrics and sturdy construction.

How can my interior design choices reduce my home's resale value?

A remodel can reduce the value of your house if you make low-quality choices that reduce your home’s appeal to buyers. Conversely, thoughtful, well-executed changes can add to your home’s value.