Not a college student? No need for a bean bag chair. The ‘90s really vaulted this comfy piece of furniture into the mainstream, convincing you that it was totally fine to use it as your seating of choice.
That, unfortunately, is untrue. While the bean bag is comfortable, it looks messy and lazy in a real home. Real couches are still very comfy. Maybe you should try one out.
Don't Get Wordy
Plastering “live, laugh, love” on your walls doesn’t make for a homey, comfortable space. Home decor stores, particularly the cheap ones, are full of wordy signs and pictures, often with the most simple of phrases. “Home,” “Gather,” “Family”— what’s the point of all these signs?
Often, word art is used simply as a way to fill a space. But just because you can fill a space doesn’t mean you should. Hold out for a design piece that really adds something to your home, rather than some generic word that can make your pad look a little cheap.
A Bright Green and Gold Color Palette
Who was the genius who thought that green carpeting throughout a house was a good idea? Unfortunately, this trend of avocado-green combined with gold accents was quite popular throughout the ‘70s.
Do we really have to explain why this is bad? Each color is far too intense in its own right to make for an aesthetically-pleasing design. Plus, too much green anywhere starts to bring a sickly feel to your home. If you want a contemporary design, stay far away from this color combination.
Pointless Valances
Matching window valances are an especially horrid decor choice, but window valances in general really aren’t that great. They add a little trim at the top of your window, but for what? There’s no real purpose of this really.
However, something about these hanging bits of fabric ages your space immensely. Even with the most modern design, window valances will automatically make you look like you’re living in a different decade. Since they don’t have a real purpose anyway, it should be easy to throw them out of your design plan.
Too Much Reclaimed Wood
As beautiful and rustic as the reclaimed wood looks, you have to know when enough is enough. The idea of using reclaimed wood over a specific door, or section of a wall, can be great - it can give a room a classical, antique look. But remember, stick to a single piece, don't get any ideas about covering an entire room in it.
When it comes to reclaimed wood, less is always more.