![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/NINTCHDBPICT000850510787.jpg\")
<\/p>\nBUYING a new house can be an exciting venture to undertake, especially after all the paperwork is done.<\/p>\n
But when it comes to decorating, it\u2019s easy to make mistakes and turn a large and bright room into a cramped space.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
That\u2019s where the experts come in, including John Cutts from Me and My Glass and Giverny Simm, who is the lead designer of interior design agency Studio Howes.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople can get carried away while decorating by going for the maximalist approach, resulting in their homes appearing smaller and becoming an eyesore to look at,\u201d Cutts told Fabulous during an exclusive interview.<\/p>\n
Instead, he believes people should take on a minimalist approach to widen the home and \u201cmake it feel more inviting\u201d as too much clutter can make a space look both unpleasant and be uncomfortable to live in.<\/p>\n
Here, the experts tell Fabulous exactly what people should avoid doing in their homes\u2026<\/p>\n
Before moving any furniture into a room, the first thing people do is paint. But with so many colours available, what do you choose?<\/p>\n According to Cutts and Simm, the worst thing you can do is opt for a dark colour as this can make a room look tiny.<\/p>\n \u201cBold colours like reds, purples and dark blues should be avoided as they can make the space feel enclosed,\u201d Cutts explained. \u201cOpt for lighter colours like whites or pale greens to remove the boxy feel of a room and make it feel more spacious.<\/p>\n Simm agreed with this, explaining that lighter and softer hues help avoid the \u201cfeeling of confinement.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cConsider using calming tones of blue and green to infuse colour without overwhelming the room,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Flooring is just as important though as Cutts shared: \u201cPeople make the mistake of using darker wood in small rooms which can tighten up the space.<\/p>\n \u201cUse light wood in smaller areas to make it feel more breathable, then save the darker wood for larger, open-plan spaces.\u201d<\/p>\n We all love a mirror – whether they\u2019re placed to make a room look aesthetically pleasing or to just have an outfit check before heading out.<\/p>\n But you can go wrong with what size and shape of mirror, let alone where you place it in a room.<\/p>\n Cutts explained that one of the biggest mistakes people make is believing \u201cbigger is better\u201d.<\/p>\n He shared: \u201cA larger mirror can work well in rooms with a minimalist aesthetic and in certain areas of the home, like bathrooms where it can make a great statement piece.<\/p>\n \u201cHowever, if it\u2019s put in a small bedroom, it can make the space feel cramped and untidy.\u201d<\/p>\n Meanwhile, irregular-shaped mirrors such as wavy designs or hearts can be \u201cunflattering to stand in front of\u201d.<\/p>\n And Cutts strongly advised against placing mirrors above beds, especially oval-shaped ones as \u201cthe mismatch of bed frames and mirror shape will clash and make a room look messy and confused\u201d.<\/p>\n Simm added: \u201cStrategically placed mirrors and carefully designed lighting can significantly open up a space.<\/p>\n \u201cPosition mirrors opposite natural light sources to reflect light throughout the room, instantly expanding its perception of size.\u201d<\/p>\n Where and how you place the sofa can either make a room look large and spacious or very cramped.<\/p>\n Cutts said one way to make a small room look bigger is to place sofas away from windows in a bid to allow natural light to come in.<\/p>\n Not only will this make the space feel more breathable, but it will also open up the size of the room.<\/p>\n Much like bed frames, he added that you shouldn\u2019t place mirrors above sofas either as it \u201ccan make the space look and feel tight\u201d.<\/p>\n He went on: \u201cTry to keep furniture separated from each other where possible otherwise, it can make the room look tiny.<\/p>\n \u201cMake sure there\u2019s a clear pathway in the room with tables, sofas and shelves spread out to avoid making the room feel cramped.\u201d<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Simm shared that you should avoid \u201cbulky, angular designs\u201d when choosing your furniture.<\/p>\n \u201cInstead go for armless chairs or ottomans, which create more open pathways and improve sight-lines within the room,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n While it\u2019s easy to go for wooden tables and chairs in the living room or dining room, it\u2019s best to opt for transparent materials when you\u2019re decorating a small space.<\/p>\n Simm explained that furniture that has glass tops can be a great addition to a room, making it look a lot more spacious than it might actually be.<\/p>\n \u201cChoose furniture with clear or glass tops, such as coffee tables or dining tables,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/newspress-collage-24300813-1696580730384.jpg\")
<\/picture>HOME TRUTHS <\/span><\/p>\nI\u2019m an interior designer & I thinkpeople should go to jail for some decor<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/ri-comp-dining-room.jpg\")
<\/picture>ADDS UP <\/span><\/p>\nI'm an interior designer \u2013 how to make your dining room chic using simple maths<\/h3>\n
Choosing colours wisely<\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/dark-high-quality-living-room-850508885.jpg\")
9<\/span>![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/NINTCHDBPICT000850509035.jpg\")
9<\/span>Most read in Fabulous<\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/ac-horoscope-daily-02-tuesday.jpg\")
<\/picture>MYSTIC MEG <\/span><\/p>\nThe moon and Saturn bring two very different properties on to your radar<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/as-fab-park-radfords.jpg\")
<\/picture>GARDEN MAKEOVER <\/span><\/p>\nSue Radford makes change to \u2018millionaire Morecambe mansion\u2019 after holiday<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/newspress-collage-24340619-1696862238453.jpg\")
<\/picture>AGE GAP LOVE <\/span><\/p>\nLad, 17, who wed OAP, 71, 2 weeks after meeting at funeral shares sweet snaps<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/newspress-collage-24340009-1696855139825.jpg\")
<\/picture>WEIGHT A MINUTE <\/span><\/p>\nI went from a size 28 to 14 with an exercise that won\u2019t leave you sweaty<\/h3>\n
Think about mirrors<\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/long-haired-brunette-chooses-clothes-850509642.jpg\")
\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/hot-mirror-trend-instantly-make-752741798.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSofa placement<\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/cozy-living-room-corner-decorated-850510362.jpg\")
\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/grey-corner-couch-pillows-blankets-850510340-1.jpg\"){kind=spacer}
<\/p>\nMaterial choices<\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/beautiful-tan-coloured-young-lurcher-850510517.jpg\")
\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/composition-see-through-objects-shadows-850518741.jpg\")
<\/p>\nRead More on The Sun<\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/crop-24206548.jpg\")
<\/picture>![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/newspress-collage-24344998-1696880963331.jpg\")
<\/picture>