Top 10 Ways To Avoid Decorating Pitfalls

Top 10 Ways To Avoid Decorating Pitfalls

Top diva's know what it's like to make big design mistakes

So they have lots of empathy for people when it comes to their struggles with their do-it-yourself projects.

"I know how hard it is for people," says the popular DIY whiz and decor diva, who's even created a new DIY kit to help (available at Canadian Tire this month). "It's hard because there are so many decisions. It's never easy. We all make hideous mistakes. It's like fashion, we've all worn that hideous dress," she says. "But the most important thing about mistakes is that we learn from them."

Learning from mistakes can, of course, be a good thing, but we think avoiding them altogether might be much better. Especially with an expert like Travis on hand. We asked her for her top 10 ways to sidestep major pitfalls.

1. Budget: People will often start without planning their finances, which is a disaster just waiting to happen. Keeping control of your spending is crucial. "You shouldn't start any project without a budget," says Travis. "And then, add one-third more onto what you think is realistic. If you think you will spend $5,000, make it $7,000. And don't just make one budget, make two: one for basic repairs and one for decorating. Then divide the decorating budget into two: the big stuff and the small stuff. There are things you have to have, like a floor, and things you don't have to have, like that expensive sofa. Prioritize."

2. Pace yourself: "Take your time," she says. "Add another three months. If you treat this as a hobby, you'll enjoy it and have fun. If you think of it as a chore, it will get you down and you'll want to get out. You want your sanity intact -- and your marriage."

3. Always do the repairs first: "In your bedroom, if you've got a crack in the ceiling, you've got to work on that, not on the pretty duvet," says Travis. "We all want to buy the wallpaper and sofa, but do the nasty stuff first. I see it all the time. People wonder why their paint doesn't look good when they haven't sanded and primed the walls first."

4. Think long term: Figure out where your money will have the most value. "Rather than spending money on the sofa and going with cheaper laminate, spend your money on hardwood," says Travis. "Sofas go in and out of fashion, but the floors will stay."

5. Look at your lifestyle: "Don't spend money on a sofa if you have kids; you will change it in two or three years," she says. "It's really about being sensible."

6. Understand colour: "This is one of the biggest mistakes people make," says Travis. "They panic and end up with whites and beiges. When you better understand how colour affects us, you're on the right track. You can choose better." If you like traditional looks, keep colours muted. For drama, add one spectacular wall, maybe in navy. "Surprise yourself," says Travis. "Does it make you smile?" That said, don't let colour make you cry. "Don't be fooled into colour that's too bright," says Travis. "Buy paint two tones down from the colour on the colour chip. It will always look more intense on your walls than on the colour chip."

7. If you're getting help, don't let a designer take over: It's about you, not the designer. Again, think of your lifestyle. "Don't design around the pretty pictures," says Travis. "Go, talk, ask questions. Get involved. Don't be afraid to ask and explain."

8. Don't assume you have to spend a fortune on your kitchen: "This is another big mistake people make," says Travis. "There are three ways to approach kitchens. Do the whole thing, rip everything out and make it expensive. Or change the cabinets or cabinet doors, paint or wallpaper and spend a little extra on appliances. Or -- and this is the cheapest -- change your handles, stay away from white and put on vivid, cheerful colours."

9. Pay attention to lighting: "This is something that often gets completely overlooked," says Travis. However, it's a huge issue. "Lighting is a solution to a lot of problems."

Besides natural light, there are five types of lighting, says Travis: Task (for work); accent (to highlight a piece); kinetic (fire and candles); ambient (creates atmosphere; pot light on a dimmer); and decorative (chandeliers). "Not every room needs it all," says Travis. "But every room needs at least two types of light. Do it room by room. Look at what you will be doing in each room."

10. Don't overlook storage: "Think about this at the beginning (of your project)," says Travis. "Storage is often overlooked. This is always a problem, especially in older homes. On TV and in magazines you don't see much stuff, but everybody comes with stuff. Build it in, or it can be decorative. Buy a big armoire or new furniture with storage."

-- CanWest News Service

NOTE: The comments contained on this web site are for information purposes only and do not constitute legal advice.