Design Dilemmas - A Furniture Choice Gone Wrong

A furniture choice gone wrong! This is a job for Dr Design. Someone recently gave me this nickname and I think is growing on me! She said this after I told her that people always come to me with their design regrets and dilemmas.

It might have also had something to do with the white blazer I was wearing (did it look like a lab coat?) and my pendant necklace (stethoscope??). Well maybe, but anyway I like it and I am going with it!

This blog is one of a series that addresses questions or dilemmas I see ALL the time as an interior designer. Why am I sharing these design solutions? Well, I don’t want you to have regrets about your interior design choices. There are going to be things we regret…tapered, high-waisted jeans (how are those back in style???) but I don’t want you to regret these things.

Regret No 1 - A furniture choice gone wrong in your home

“Yep, it looked soooo good in the store window or on the website but then I got it home and began to realise I'd made the wrong furniture choice.”

We all have so much access to DIY projects, blogs about doing stuff, images of beautiful interiors and it’s easy to think, “Yeah, I got this.”

But then it happens - you don’t got this. You’ve got an interior design dilemma.

So back to the blog with Dr. Design (see, I am getting used to this name).

“My furniture choice is all kinds of wrong”

So here are my top 3 solutions to help you deal with your not-quite-right furniture purchases. I like 3…I always provide 3 solutions to a problem, 3 design options for a room, and 3 price points - you get it - I like options and I want to give you options.

Option 1: I am keeping this furniture, as is, in this space no matter what!

Ok, if you realise your furniture isn’t quite right and but you decide to keep it, let’s make sure to minimise its impact. Choose the best spot you can, usually against a wall to make sure it doesn’t interfere with traffic flow. This can be done with a dining table too. Simply add your chairs around the sides of the table but not on the wall.

A dining table placed up against a wall

ALSO, use colour to your advantage - because your furniture has become a bit of an unwanted focal point you can make sure the rest of the room feels light and airy by using light colours on the walls or a better solution might be to work with the colour of your furniture so it blends in rather than stands out.

Using colour in walls and accessories to blend your furniture into the room

Without any sharp contrasts between the areas, the room will feel bigger, more cohesive, and minimise the design dilemma. For example, if your furniture mistake is a greige colour, then go with a grey colour on the walls and a dark beige/grey flooring/ carpet. This will make it blend in - ninja-style! This also draws the attention away from the furniture mistake by adding a few strategically placed home accent pieces. Voila! Trompe l'oeil!!

Option 2. Ok, I made this mistake and I did everything I could to minimise but it’s still driving me crazy

Did you know there are upholsterers that will shorten or lengthen a sofa for you? Or DIY videos on how to cut your dining area table and secure it against the wall. This kind of upcycling is recommended if your furniture choice is of a higher quality as it will be cheaper than trying to replace it with new decor. This is a good option if your furniture mistake is oversized and sticking out into a walkway-type area in your space.

Finally, it’s a great option for an heirloom sofa that might not fit well in your space. Here’s a link to one company that provides this service Moores Upholstery - but a search online could help you find one in your area -

If you're unable to physically change your furniture and you’ve tried your best at camouflaging it - then keep reading.

Option 3. Live with it?

No. That would grate. 

“I know, I know... I wasted time and money by trying to do this without professional help and I am going to get it sorted out now”. Now is the time to have an interior designer come over for a ‘fix-it’ session.

I personally offer a design consultation where we just solve your house problems one room at a time. With any in-house design consultation you work with a professional that's seen these issues countless times and will help you decide the best way to move forward. Then you are not stuck living with something that doesn’t make you happy.

I hope these solutions have helped a bit and if nothing else made you realise you are not alone!

Are you getting ready to renovate your home?? I will be talking about Renovation Fatigue (oh, it’s a thing!) in my next blog. Sign up below so you don’t miss out.

I read all my emails, each and every one…please contact me anytime and maybe I can help you or at the very least I can discuss it on my blog.