Sprucing up your interior design is fun, but it does take some finesse. Here’s how to avoid common interior design mistakes such as those identified by Bella Faux Finishes that can doom your remodeling project.

Planning is Key to Interior Design

Proper planning is an important step for any remodeling project and should not be overlooked when it comes to interior design. Lay out the project on paper, write out the details, and make sure anyone working on the project understanding your goals. Ask the Builder provides a handy checklist for planning any design project.

Once you’ve established what you want to do, you have to follow it through. Think about your interior design goals and what you’re trying to accomplish. Do you want:

• A bold “wow” factor at the front door?
• A cozy reading nook?
• An abundance of light in a family room?

Interior Design and Focal Points

Focal points are tricky business, as you want to create “wow” factors without overloading someone’s senses. As a rule, try for one main focal point per room, as this makes a bigger impact from an interior design perspective. Depending on the space, you can add a secondary wow factor that coordinates with the main one. When revamping your kitchen design, for example, a dramatic wooden range hood could be the focal point. Warm Italian marble on the wall behind it would be the secondary wow factor.

Interior Design Colors

The use of color also is tricky and can lead to interior design mistakes. Bold is fine, but temper it with softer colors to add balance. One rule of thumb from the paint manufacturer Behr is to use no more than three colors in a house. You can use light and dark ranges of those colors as long as it all blends.

Interior design can be tricky, but if you plan it out and pay attention to some common guidelines you’re remodeling will come off without a hitch.