8 Frustrating Mistakes That Ruin Even a Good Design

Why didn't I think of this sooner? A rhetorical question we often ask ourselves. But when it arises after moving into a newly renovated apartment — it's doubly disappointing.

We asked an expert to name the most frustrating mistakes that appear only after finishing the renovation.

Ekateryna Kazyanova, an expert designer and decorator who values comfort and individuality in interior design.

Unlucky Layout

For example, not planning the location of the 'dirty zone' in advance. If the entrance to the bathroom is next to the front door, the likelihood of stepping into a puddle from snow on boots right after taking a shower is very high. Conversely, when there's only one bathroom located at the opposite end of the entrance door, you have to carry your dog through the entire apartment just to wash its paws after a walk.

Large items in inconvenient places also cause trouble — strollers, scooters, and bicycles, for which no storage space was provided in the apartment.

Design: Alexandra Ermilova

Improper Electrical Planning

The placement of switches, outlets, and light fixtures should be carefully considered before starting any renovation work to avoid having meters of wires stretched throughout the house, lights that shine in your eyes while watching a movie, or a light fixture you keep hitting your head on every time you get up from the table.

On the other hand, when everything is thought through in advance, it creates a sense of cohesive and harmonious space. For example, you can install an outlet in the window sill to decorate windows with garlands during winter. Or plan where your Christmas tree will stand and put an outlet there for decoration.

Design: YU Design

Incorrect Placement of Plumbing Access Panels

Sometimes the bathroom design is very beautiful, and the tiles are perfectly matched in size — no cuts or visible seams... But there’s a plumbing access panel right in the most visible spot, which ruins the overall neat tile layout.

Even worse is when the access panel is forgotten entirely during planning, and now it's located inside the shower cabin.

Design: Yana Volkova

Imitation of Natural Materials

This is, of course, a matter of taste, but imitation usually spoils and cheapens the interior. Instead of linoleum that looks like wood, wallpapers that mimic brick, or painted stones, it's better to use simple, honest materials that don’t pretend to be something else and find their place in the interior design.

Design: Anna Khom

Thresholds

This is a problem! It’s not hard to plan in advance what kind of flooring, thickness, and underlayment will be used in different rooms to ensure all floors are at the same level and tiles and planks are laid evenly.

Design: Marina Karalkina

Misplaced Furniture

It's very frustrating when everything seems planned down to the millimeter, and you place furniture on a plan, fitting everything in (especially in small apartments). But then you order the furniture, it arrives, and it doesn't fit!

This happens because a bed with a 180 cm wide sleeping area was planned, but the headboard and side rails weren’t taken into account. Or the chairs were ordered based on seat dimensions, but not on armrests. And they don’t fit either.

Design: Zina Malysheva

Poorly Chosen Textiles

For example, dark heavy curtains with valances or multi-layered outdated draperies. Textiles can be affordable (IKEA has excellent options) — what matters is that they fold into neat, attractive pleats.

Also remember that sheer curtains steal not only light but also space — the area on the windowsill where it’s so pleasant to sit with a cup of cocoa and a book.

Design: Deus of House

Insufficient Storage Space

Lack of well-thought-out storage areas can significantly ruin life in a new beautiful home. There should be plenty of them — the more, the better. Wardrobes, walk-in closets, and storage rooms should be spacious and placed where common sense allows.

Design: MAKEdesign