7 cardinal sins of interior design

Design Sin #1: Buying Furniture Sets

Gen Z design maestro Bilal Rehman serves up his suggestions with class and sass and he firmly believes buying matching furniture sets is a no-no. Why? Because it feels “convenient” as opposed to curated or high-end. Instead, he says it’s best to choose one good piece from a collection and find other pieces to complement it.

Design Sin #2: Armless Sofas

Staying with furniture, sofas get a thumbs up, but armless sofas get a thumbs down from Phoenix Grey. It’s a piece of furniture he swears he’d never buy, because it is a waste of usable space. No one sits near the edge because it is uncomfortable, and because these sofas make it feel like you are sitting too close to the person next to you.

Design Sin #4: The Wrong Barstool Height

A bar is a fun space to gather and can double up as a cosy dining nook. But whether you’re enjoying pancakes or Pinot noir, you need to reach the counter and sit comfortably, says Kenneth Tan. His pro tip is to ensure your stools are 25-30 cm lower than your bar height. The wrong height doesn’t just look bad; it’s also a strain on your back and arms!

Design Sin #6: Lack of Negative Space

Wall art can enhance any space. But wall art also needs a little something called negative space, to make it really pop. Keeping your paintings a few inches above your furniture can make the room feel less crowded and make the artwork stand out. Ethan Gaskell demonstrates how it’s done and shows the big difference a small change can make!

Design Sin #7: Lack of Consistency

It’s fun to mix and match but zero consistency is not nice, says Nick Lewis. We understand no one wants their home to look stark and plain like a Victorian-era sanatorium. But a different style, colour, and mood for each room can feel overwhelming and disjointed. He says it’s important to have some element of consistency, in the form of colours, textures, and materials.

Now that you know what not to do design-wise, you can refer to this handy list and incorporate these tips into your space when you remodel, redesign or move!