8 Kitchen Decorating Mistakes to Avoid, According to a Designer

KATIE CHARLOTTE FIEDLER

When decorating an outdoor space, there are plenty of ways to transform it from an empty patch of grass to your dream oasis. If you're struggling with where to start, why not look to your zodiac sign for some ideas on how to make the space your own?

The time for long evenings and summer parties in our backyards is finally here. If your backyard is needing some rejuvenation this season, you’re probably itching to get started.

If you ever looked around your home and wondered what you can do to improve your design, look no further. The space might not be begging for an extensive renovation or a major furniture overhaul—it can simply come down to styling.

When you’re in the throes of baking or preparing your morning toast, not much is worse than having to wait for your butter to reach room temperature (except for maybe struggling to spread it when it’s chilled). If you’re constantly forgetting to allow butter to reach its ideal softness (which takes about 30 minutes to an hour), there’s an underrated kitchen staple you may want to look into: the butter crock. A butter crock can keep your butter at the perfect texture for up to a week—without being stored in the fridge.

Interior design mistakes run the gamut from problems like imperfectly laid flooring (hello, tripping hazards) to lesser issues like getting the wrong size living room rug. Even if you can't quite put your finger on what's feeling wrong in a certain space, it'll likely stem from the most typical faux pas.

Is your patio currently a cluttered mess? It’s time for a makeover that won’t blow your budget. To optimize patio time, you’ll want to create a clean, comfortable spot.    We turned to Heather Knight-Willcock, an interior designer based in Long Beach, California, for her advice on redecorating a patio without dropping a ton of cash. As an expert for ShopGoodwill.com, Knight-Willcock is well-versed in seeking the best deals, and shopping with an eye for budget-friendly and second-hand options.  Here’s how Knight-Willcock would decorate a patio for under $200—and how you can, too. 

When you live with an all-white or neutral kitchen, adding color can feel overwhelming. The wrong color can look stark or out of place, while too much color can seem accidental or sloppy.

The fruits and vegetables harvested from your own patch of earth are always the sweetest–doubly so if your garden is more shoebox than sprawling country pile. In pursuit of the perfect strawberry, modern gardeners are turning to the old Victorian favourite: cloches.

Not all living room layouts are created equal, and many people fall victim to six common mistakes when positioning their furniture in this space.

My sister recently purchased a condo with a shockingly expansive wraparound balcony. The only problem? She has no clue how to fill the space. How much furniture is too much furniture? Should it match the black and white decor she’s collecting for her interiors? Is the comfy lounge chair she’s been eyeing really worth the investment? In an effort to answer these questions and more, I reached out to several California-based designers for their insights. 

Once the temperature rises, and that unwavering urge to spend even more time outside kicks in, the great outdoors becomes the best room of the house. (For a few glorious months, Mother Nature replaces our living room… dining room… and, yes, even our kitchen!) However, just like in your home’s interiors, an outdoor space hinges on selecting the right furniture.