First-time homebuyers who are able to secure a property today should be overjoyed. Congratulations!
However, once you’ve moved in and started decorating, be aware that a lot can go wrong.
Homeowners rarely get it right the first time when it comes to feathering their nest. What’s the end result? Embarrassing paint colors, furniture that doesn’t fit in the room (or up the stairs), and other expensive upgrades are all things you’ll come to regret.
We asked a few interior designers what they’ve seen when entering people’s houses to help them avoid these blunders. Let’s just say they’ve witnessed a lot of things that have caused them to pause.
In fact, they claim that first-time homebuyers make a predictable sequence of errors. Check out the most common blunders that leave designers scratching their heads. Hopefully, these tales will assist you in avoiding these rookie blunders and establishing a first home that seems all grown-up.
1. Using a style that is incompatible with the architecture.
“So many first-time homebuyers go against the design of their home,” Cristina Miguelez, a Fixer home blogger, says. “However, a cottage will never resemble a loft. It’ll never be a Craftsman if you have a ranch.”
Rather than attempting to impose modern farmhouse decor where it obviously does not fit, accept the home you actually purchased, seek advice from professionals, and then decorate from there.
2. Painting the entire house without first testing a small area
Debra Kling of the eponymous color consultant adds, “One client called me in a panic with a color emergency—because she’d painted the exterior of her house a purplish tone.” When viewed in the sunlight, the new homeowner felt she’d chosen a fairly safe beige, but it turned out to have pink overtones.
“She had odd fan decks and paint chips on her kitchen table when I got there,” Kling recalls. “I knew she’d seen these samples inside, not out in the yard,” I said.
3. Purchasing furnishings that do not complement one another.
Elise Armitage, a design and lifestyle expert at What the Fab, says, “I can’t tell you how many hodgepodge furniture setups I’ve seen over the years.”
It’s simple to buy a bunch of things at once, but when you come home and realize they don’t match together, your head can throb from the money and time you wasted on this shopping trip.
Armitage suggests creating a general theme for your home’s aesthetic, such as “‘Scandi-boho’ and inviting or midcentury contemporary and calming.”
4. Get rid of all of your old furniture, even if it’s still usable.
Dlish’s design director, Mona Bavar, advises first-time homebuyers not to throw everything out when they eventually close on their first house. “Start with what you have and work your way up from there,” says the author.
“Transform a plain white bookcase into a work of beauty by filling it with colorful books, ornamental art items obtained from the trip, plants, framed postcards, and more.”
5. Placing a higher value on aesthetics over functionality
“I know a first-time homeowner who fell in love with beautiful wallpaper only to discover that the boiler was broken, leaving her scrambling for money to fix it,” adds Kling.
Remember that a lot of expensive cosmetic touches can add up, and you’ll need money left over for costly structural maintenance.
“This is a major issue in the present housing market,” Kling continues, “since many homes are sold without an inspection contingency.”
6. Not allowing enough light in
Kara Harms, a design expert at Whimsy Soul, adds, “I’ve literally entered homes of first-time homeowners that were so gloomy, I could not see.” “You can’t decorate a room if you don’t know where the light falls at different times of the day or season.”
In other words, take your time and wait a few months before investing in Pricey bespoke track lighting for your living room. When in doubt, go for a lighter color on the walls, or your home could end up seeming like a cave.
7. Buying on the spur of the moment rather than planning ahead
Pamela O’Brien of Pamela Hope Designs complains, “I’ve had some clients fly blind, without employing a plan or budget.” “The end result was a sofa they didn’t like, a chest of drawers that couldn’t fit up the stairway, and a little chair in a corner by itself.”
Before going shopping, O’Brien advises first-time homebuyers to plan out their decor strategy and budget.
“To make your store trips more efficient, take your strategy, notes, and images to a qualified salesperson,” she advises. Also, before purchasing large items (such as a bed, couch, dining table, and chairs), consider whether the scale and style would work in your home.
Regentology is a real estate referral network that provides geo-targeted, intent-verified leads with critical information about budget, timetable, intended location, and other data to deliver potential prospects to real estate agents.
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