Common Kitchen Decorating Mistakes (And How To Avoid Them)

Even during these challenging economic times, a lot of people still want to invest the time and money into making their homes more comfortable and enjoyable to spend time in. Some people choose to put their efforts into redoing their bedrooms, wanting to create the perfect sleep havens. Other people would rather focus their attention on their bathrooms, even going so far as to remove the old tiles and install new patterns. There are a lot of rooms in the home that impact your day, so it is ultimately up to you to choose between them when you are redecorating. If you spend a lot of time cooking and/or cleaning, then you may want to remake your kitchen. Whether you are chopping, sautéing, or washing, it is always more enjoyable to do it in a new, updated kitchen than in an old one. But sometimes you need to wonder where to start. Redecorating your kitchen is not always going to be easy. There are some common mistakes. Below are the most common mistakes made when redecorating your kitchen and some guidance on how to avoid them.

COMMON MISTAKE #1 – Spending too much on wallpaper. Wallpaper can get very pricey very quickly, and if you are lucky enough to have a large, spacious kitchen, then putting up wallpaper will be expensive. But you don’t need to break the bank to use great wallpaper. According to Cortney and Robert Novogratz, authors of Home by Novogratz, “People often think they need to wallpaper an entire room, which can be expensive and make a space feel crowded and busy. Choose to cover a focal surface (like the area behind this bed) so the print stands out, and the room still feels open and airy.”

COMMON MISTAKE #2 – Buying everything in the same store. It can be easy to get everything at one shop. You see one thing you like and pretty soon you are buying everything it is displayed with. But this isn’t always the best method. It costs a lot of money, and can end up feeling very impersonal. Instead, mix in some of your old décor with the new stuff, and shop around to find a variety of styles.

COMMON MISTAKE #3 – Don’t forget to focus on the lighting. A lot of people overlook the lighting element when they are decorating a room. But this is a big mistake. Especially in the kitchen, where lighting is often stark, there is no reason to shy away from installing something more flattering. Dimmers are a great way to give yourself options, because it allows you to go bright when you need it and dim when you don’t! Install environmentally friendly CFLs to save money on your electric bills and conserve energy.

COMMON MISTAKE #4 – Don’t over-decorate. Some people want to stuff as much stuff into their kitchen décor as possible. But especially in a room like a kitchen, which you depend upon to be highly functional, you need to avoid a clutter filled room. For example, while your teakettle collection may seem like it belongs in the kitchen, it might actually be better suited for another room.

COMMON MISTAKE #5 – Letting the décor go outdated doesn’t look good. Sure there was a time when your current kitchen cabinets looked great and were at the height of fashion. But ask yourself if that time has passed and now what was once stylish, has passed through its retro phase, and started to just look shabby. If the answer is yes, then try switching up the hardware or even painting the cabinets a new color.

COMMON MISTAKE #6 – Choosing fashion over function is a bad idea for kitchen décor. When you are looking at redoing elements in your kitchen, do not focus on what will look good. Ask yourself what you need to be able to get better use out of your kitchen. Spend the money investing in the functionality you need. Do not choose aesthetics if they are going to make it harder for you to cook your meals or clean up after them.

Remember, the most important thing in redecorating any room in your home is to trust your gut instinct!

Patrick Miller writes about home decor and home decoarting mistakes for Moshells Home Decor.