Brits often make the same mistakes with their home décor – however they may not even realise what they are doing wrong.
But an expert has now revealed the problems you might be causing in your living room.
Pippa Jameson, author of The Sensory Home, has been working with DFS to reveal the eight different mistakes people make in their home.
She told FEMAIL: ‘A mistake people make all the time is following conventions – they see something on social media and think, ‘I must have it’.
‘We become blind to rooms that aren’t working and it’s hard to see a problem when you’re in it.’
Here, she explained the different mistakes, from too much furniture packed closely together to choosing the wrong colour scheme and how to best avoid them…
1. Ignoring noise pollution
Perfect layout: Pippa Jameson, author of The Sensory Home, is working with furniture retailer DFS to help people create a home that feels good and works for them. She revealed ‘flow’ and using relaxing colours is vital when it comes to the sensory experience
Pippa explained that noise pollution can have a disruptive impact on the sanctity of a space.
She said: ‘When selecting and arranging pieces of furniture, consider how they might have an impact on noise coming into your peaceful space.
If you have a noisy neighbour, put your bookcase against the wall nearest their house.’
2. Following trends
The expert explained that you shouldn’t follow the crowd of what you’re ‘meant’ to do if it doesn’t work for you or your space
The expert explained that you shouldn’t follow the crowd of what you’re ‘meant’ to do if it doesn’t work for you or your space.
She revealed: ‘For example, your sofa doesn’t have to go 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 aren’t right for your space, and we can lose sight of what works for us.
‘Try and be unconventional in that sense and go for what works for you.’
3. Forgetting about practicality
The expert revealed: ‘Often you’ll decorate a living room and pick a sofa because that’s the one that’s on trend, but we’ve got to be kind to our bodies and choose furniture that suits our comfort needs and how we like to lounge too.
‘For example, if you have back problems, don’t go for a soft chair just because it looks good.
‘If you like to stretch out on your sofa, make sure that it’s long enough to accommodate you, or opt for a recliner sofa.’
4. Use of synthetic air fresheners
Incompatible materials: According to Pippa, a common mistake that people make is not having 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 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 at home – natural diffusers or botanical options are a lot kinder on the senses and have an instant impact’.
She said: ‘One of the biggest mistakes I see people make in their living rooms is not thinking about the power of scent.
‘We all know how much of an impact smell can have on us, it can transport us and is so powerful – but very few people utilise this.’
5. Too many functions
Mistakes: The expert revealed you must work out what the functionality of the room is going to be as now more than ever our rooms are multifunctional
Try and have a separate space in your living room that is for personal time – maybe a corner to read in, a space to do some yoga, or a comfy chair where you can listen to your favourite music – whether that’s the sounds of nature or rock music!
Pipa said: ‘When people move in, they choose a room and don’t optimise it for their lifestyle, so they sometimes have unconscious stress.
‘This means a room isn’t working and they don’t really know why, what they have done wrong, or how to fix it.
‘So first and foremost, you must work out what the functionality of the room is going to be.
‘Now more than ever our rooms are multifunctional, so you need to make sure your furniture suits this.’
‘For example, having modular sofas that you can switch up or an extendable table that can also be an office and a dining area.’
6. ‘Happy triggers’ in the wrong place
You need sentiment within your living space – be that art, photos, or whatever it is that brings you happiness.
But when you’re in your favourite armchair, you need something within your eye line that will be a happy trigger – having these triggers all at eye level when you’re standing rather than sitting is a common mistake.
7. Not layering lighting
Layer lighting with side lamps, floor lamps and dimmable switches to change lighting to suit the time of day and your activity
Layer lighting with side lamps, floor lamps and dimmable switches to change lighting to suit the time of day and your activity.
Or, the next step is sensory coloured lighting to suit your moods – pinks and purples can be calming, but you want light you can alter throughout the day.
Also consider the colour of your walls to complement the overall mood.
Pippa said: ‘People have similar issues with light, it’s really important to ‘layer’ your lighting – rather than simply using the ‘big light’ all the time, to have light that can change through the day.
‘I use striped LED lighting to regulate the room for sensory reasons and to introduce colour in a subtle way.’
8. Lack of storage
Mistakes: Pippa revealed lack of storage and clutter is the number one cause of stress, as it’s a constant presence that can make us feel out of control and chaotic
According to Pippa, common mistake that people make is not having synergy between materials in your home.
Try to avoid having materials that jar with each other – nothing really shiny and plastic next to something lovely and woollen – 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 and clutter is the number one cause of stress, as 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 study shows that many households may not be aware of how our interiors can impact our mood, and that making a few small changes to their homes could make a big difference when it comes to how they feel in the space.
‘Whilst 61 per cent of households default to white, brown/beige or grey for the colour of their living room walls, many are missing out on the relaxing properties of colour.
‘Our homes are our sanctuaries from the stresses of everyday life, and whilst we tend to prioritise how they look, it’s also important to create a home that makes you feel good, whatever your style ‘thing’ is, or the mood you’re trying to create.’