Design Mistakes Made by First-Time Home Buyers (And How to Avoid Them)

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So, you’ve recently purchased your first home. Congratulations! This is a big step and commitment, especially if you’re someone who moves into a new apartments near San Fransico once a year. While there are several benefits to owning a home, there are many drawbacks, particularly in design. There will be lots of opportunities to make mistakes.

While mistakes in new home design are prevalent, here are some of the most typical design mistakes made by first-time home purchasers so that we can save you some time and money.

Don’t: Buying all of your furniture at once.

You’ll have a lot more space to occupy when you move from an apartment to a house, which means you’ll need more furniture. However, resist the impulse to acquire all new furniture at once. You don’t have to buy everything you want or need on one shopping trip, or even in one week.

It helps to spend some time getting to know your new surroundings so you can figure out precisely what you need. You might be startled to learn that something you thought you required when you first moved in no longer feels so important a month or two later. For example, people rarely consider furniture an investment. Still, if they did, they could purchase more robust items that would last them longer.

Do: Make a systematic plan for your furniture needs.

Prioritize the necessities, such as a bed, dresser, sofa, and coffee table, before saving for or planning out the rest of the room, such as accent furniture, decor, and fabrics. It’s also a good idea to decorate with your long-term goals in mind. For example, consider a kid-friendly 3-seater sofa if you and your partner recently purchased your first home but want to have children in the next several years.

Don’t: Purchase a complete set of matching furniture.

Buying matching pieces of furniture for your living room or bedroom may seem appealing. It’s simple because you can buy everything you need at once and know that everything will match, reducing the number of design decisions you have to make. However, due to the lack of variety in texture, color, and style, a whole set of matching furniture can make a space look generic at best and cheap at worst. Furthermore, because groups are frequently on the larger side, a whole set may feel claustrophobic in a typical living room or bedroom.

Do: Purchase one item at a time.

Buying furniture components one at a time ensures that you receive what you need, in the style you choose and in the space you have. It also provides a room with a more finished and curated appearance, rather than one that looks like you merely walked it into a furniture store. Instead of purchasing a whole set, start with the critical pieces of furniture and expand from there. Don’t be afraid to acquire a matching set of nightstands, end tables, or even accent chairs if you prefer asymmetrical aesthetic.

A pair of anything can be quite lovely, just don’t make the whole room match. Our room checklists will walk you through the necessities, as well as the furniture and decor that will help you take your room’s design to the next level.

Don’t: Make big decisions right away.

It’s common to purchase a property and immediately want to make updates or design adjustments to align your new space better with your particular style. It’s tempting to get right in, whether it’s replacing light fixtures, painting the walls, or simply purchasing new furniture. Instead, advocate spending some time in your new home—even if it’s just a week or two—before making any significant judgments or design choices. This will save you money by allowing you to live with the flow of your home, assess your needs, and develop your style within the property.

Do: Allow yourself time to get to know your home before making significant purchases or changes.

Consider taking your time when making significant decisions, such as substantial furniture purchases or renovations such as painting the walls or replacing the flooring. Spend some time in your new home getting to know how you use it. Learning the natural light patterns, figuring out how you navigate the area, and even figuring out where you spend the most time. This will assist you in making significant decisions and prioritizing any modifications or improvements you choose.

Don’t: Make hasty DIY decisions without enough research.

It may be tempting to knock out old kitchen cabinets the day you move in, but you’ll almost certainly end up with a lot of problems and mistakes. Furthermore, a sizable section of the population enjoys initiating new projects. But how about completing it? Not at all. When you hurry into a DIY project, you’re more likely to get a decent start but then set it aside when life gets in the way. Thus, causing the project to drag on for months without being completed.

Do: Plan your DIY project.

Rather than jumping right in, spend some time in your area to acquire a sense of what you want, what you need, and what you can accomplish yourself versus what you should hire out. Before you begin any DIY project, do some research to ensure you have everything you’ll need, and then budget more time and money than you think you’ll need. Having a plan from start to finish will assist you in seeing things through.

Don’t: Cram furniture into every nook and cranny of your home.

Many people’s impulse is to fill every nook when they have more space to feel. However, when it comes to smart interior design, it’s preferable to leave some breathing room. Furniture, art, pictures, and décor crammed into every corner and empty wall may make a room appear claustrophobic and cramped.

You may feel under a lot of pressure from social media to make your home picture-perfect within a week of moving in. However, overcrowding your home merely to make it feel “completed” so you can post images will lead to you feeling cluttered later. And you’ll have to pare down your belongings. So, to save time in the future, keep your furniture and décor edited from the start.

Do: Allow for breathing space and negative space.

Negative space and empty walls can appear just as intentional as constructed environments, which may seem counterintuitive. However, incorporating some breathing space into a room’s architecture is beneficial. So, even if you’re a maximalist, you don’t have to fill every area and corner of your home. Take your time when planning your new home. Determine what you truly require, and then plan your furniture and décor accordingly.