Perhaps the most common mistake in design is to consider the aesthetic of a space before the functionality of it. The result is that while the space may look good in photos, in real life it feels awkward. Arranging furniture for the sake of balance and visual impact often interrupts circulation patterns, leaves awkward spaces, or restricts movement in a way that feels unnatural. A sofa that has been placed against a wall to “create space” can seem like a good idea, but it often means there is nowhere to lounge, and the space feels formal. If you always test a space for functionality first (walk through it as you would normally, sit in all the seating, see where the body naturally goes), then the beauty of the space will follow.
A similar error in judgment occurs when the proportions of a room are not taken into account when selecting furniture. When a room has small dimensions but large furniture, the effect is that the space will appear crowded and perhaps claustrophobic. Conversely, when a large room contains small furniture, the effect will be that the space appears cold and fragmented. Often a novice designer will pick bold furniture pieces without regard to the proportions of the space and end up with a crowded or sparse feel. To avoid this problem, create a to-scale drawing of the floor plan prior to purchasing any pieces and outline the pathways and areas where activity will take place. Doing so will quickly show you if your design contains disproportionate elements that, when corrected, will save you from a lot of grief (and money) later on.
Light and its direction are often ignored, leading to a beautiful space that’s hard to enjoy. Sure, your dinner party guests will appreciate the view when you place a dining table in front of a window, but no one will enjoy the glare on their plates or the weird shadows on their faces. The same thing goes for a home office where you face away from the light source, guaranteeing that you’ll be working in your own shadow. This causes eye fatigue and decreases productivity. Watch where the sunlight comes into the space at different times of the day and place your activities where it makes the most sense. When you work with nature’s light, spaces feel cozy and clear and somehow just feel right in a way that electric lighting can’t.
Last but not least, failure to integrate storage is a common way to fall into the layout design trap. Not only does after-the-fact storage make spaces look messy and disorganized, but it can also lead to obtrusive pieces that interfere with your workflow. Instead, consider incorporating storage into your initial design plan through built-in cabinetry, multi-functional items or storage with hidden compartments that can be closed off when not in use. Doing so will help preserve a tidy environment, make the most of the square footage and keep the space feeling the way it’s intended to.
Last, but not least, some of you don’t recognize the value of transition areas between spaces, particularly if you are working with an open-concept floor plan. If there are no visual indicators that separate the spaces in your home, the spaces will run together and you will not feel like you have separate rooms. Suddenly shifting from hardwood to carpet, or using dramatically different lighting or furniture, can be jarring, but so can having no definition at all and just one big open space. A rug, a low wall, a texture change and/or different lighting can all serve as indicators to the eye and brain that you are transitioning from one space to another, without completely disconnecting from the whole. Learning to use these subtle boundaries well can take a good floor plan and turn it into a beautifully edited series of spaces that feel intentional and thoughtful, and help make the home feel more welcoming. Avoiding these mistakes can mean the difference between a good floor plan and a great one.
