Throw out your matching furniture sets & change your lighting – 8 viral decorating mistakes that are a waste of cash

MOVING into a new home is one of the most exciting, but stressful, times of our lives. 

With transferring all of our belongings to a new space combined with decorating and finding new furniture, it can be a recipe for interior disaster. 

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When we’re stressed and not thinking straight, we make mistakes – and often, they’re costly.  

From getting rugs that are too big to gaudy matching furniture sets, there’s plenty of things to get wrong. 

And now, the sustainable furniture experts at B2C Furniture have used TikTok data to reveal the most common furniture mistakes people are making this year.

The brand’s resident Interior Stylist, Stacey Clarke, has broken down the eight biggest mistakes Brits are making at home.

Fortunately, she’s also shared how you can try to avoid them in the new-home haze. 

Fabulous takes a look…

8. RUSH HOUR

One of the most common mistakes people make – especially Brits in their Twenties – is rushing to purchase furniture and decorating a home too fast.

“Take the time to think about the use of each room and not get caught up in the excitement of moving in or trends,” Stacey shared.

“Having a classic colour palette can also help with the longevity of the pieces. Wood or natural timbers are timeless as they last through all the trends but are also easy to mix trends in. 

“This is crucial, because if there’s something else that is in style in a few months or a year, you can easily adapt your styling with the smaller pieces like cushions, throws and homewares.”

7. LACKING LIGHTING

Considering lighting options is vital for creating a nice ambience and energy-saving solution for your home – yet it’s the seventh biggest mistake homeowners make.

“When you’re watching television or conversing with a friend over a glass of wine around the dinner table, you don’t necessarily need bright light,” Stacey said.

“Instead, turn off your overhead lights and have a side lamp in the bedroom or a floor lamp in the living room to create a mood-lifting, ambient light. 

“This is a great way to save energy and cut electricity costs.

“When it comes to natural lighting, it’s always great to have large windows in your main living areas.”

6. EASY RETURNS

With the convenience of online shopping, forgetting to check the quality of your furniture can lead to easy mistakes when it comes to sizing or materials, the experts found. 

“We live a busy lifestyle so often we opt for the easy option, which is to go online,” Stacey commented.

“Make sure that the furniture company you shop from has an easy return policy, especially when purchasing online. 

You don’t want something to arrive in three months when you need the couch now

Stacey ClarkeInterior Stylist

“Also, look into the company’s warranty policy and when you can expect the delivery.

“You don’t want something to arrive in three months when you need the couch now.”

5. LIFESTYLE MATCH

Young people often don’t think ahead when shopping for furniture, B2C Furniture’s research found. 

Instead, they base their choice on looks instead of comfort, overlooking the longevity of the product. 

“This problem lies in buying into trends and getting caught up in the ‘Instagram-orthy house’ that looks beautiful but isn’t very practical,” Stacey shared.

“It’s important to keep in mind the longevity of the product and how it might suit their needs in the future. 

“Understanding furniture is an investment particularly when you’re choosing to buy materials that are durable and lasts you through the years.”

4. NO STRUCTURE, NO-GO

Opting for pieces with no support or lack of structure acquired is the fourth biggest furniture mistake – but Stacey assured that this mistake comes down to knowledge and experience.

“Take the time to verse yourself with the array of materials available in the market,” she recommended.

“While it is tempting to buy the budget furniture ranges that are often considered trendy and affordable, these are generally made from poor materials.

While it is tempting to buy the budget furniture ranges that are often considered trendy and affordable, these are generally made from poor materials.

Stacey ClarkeInterior Stylist

“Understanding the difference between materials like wood and chipboard or MDF is key. Where wood or timber is more durable, chipboard and MDF are made of sawdust or excess from the wood, engineered together to make a plank. 

“These typically have a short lifespan, so avoid furniture made from these, particularly in bed frames.”

3. DITCH MATCHING SETS

Buying ‘one-stop’ furniture sets is the third biggest mistake people are making when decorating their homes.

“Matching furniture can often make a space appear dull,” Stacey said. 

But she does give matching furniture sets that are multifunctional a pass, as they can save you a lot of money.

Matching furniture can make a space appear dull

Stacey ClarkeInterior Stylist

“Always make sure that all your must-have pieces are covered first,” she added.

“And the multifunctional aspect of this means you can repurpose them later on in different areas of the house for years to come.”

2. WRONG RUG

A well-placed, thoughtfully chosen rug is as important to the overall look and feel of a space as any piece of furniture.

And what’s more, furniture should cover 30% to 40% of the rug.

“A general rule is to ensure the rug is wider than the sofa,” Stacey explained.

“You want your rug to sit comfortably within the room, but not dominate and cover it wall-to-wall. 

“It’s also useful to have masking tape to mark up the size of the furniture pieces and their layout before committing.”

1. POOR SPACE PLANNING

Topping the list of the most common furniture mistakes is poor space planning, according to Stacey. 

She particularly urged people not to block doorways with furniture. 

“You need good access for your doors to open completely as this will open up the space and make your room appear bigger,” the expert explained.

“For the bedroom, consider whether side tables would be practical, as you won’t always have space. 

“In the living room and dining room, ensure you can access the windows and not block your TV and entrance ways.”