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Whether you live in your first apartment or dwell in the same house for years, decorating interiors is quite a task. While some see it as a fun and fulfilling challenge, most people instantly feel overwhelmed by myriads of complex and, more importantly, expensive choices when trying to make their humble abode feel more put together.

Of course, there’s no arguing about taste being a matter of preference, and it’s great to make your home feel like you. But interior design is a tricky game to play, and certain solutions may not turn out as expected. So recently, TikToker Krishnan Rajaratnam, who goes by the handle @interiorbykrish, revealed several decor mistakes that might make your home look cheap, and people online are divided.

From crushed diamond mirror furniture to the "Live Laugh Love" type of decorations, we’ve gathered some common faux pas homeowners might want to steer clear of. So take out your notebooks, grab your pens, and decide for yourself whether you agree with them. Also, read on for our in-depth interview filled with handy tips from an award-winning interior designer Linda Merrill. Then if you’re interested in even more questionable home decor trends, then check out Bored Panda's previous piece about it right here.

The task of furnishing and decorating your home can be a daunting experience, especially when you realize how expensive it is. We reached out to an expert in the field, an award-winning New England-based interior designer Linda Merrill. She is a renowned author of the Surroundings blog filled with clever and creative solutions to help anyone lost in the design world to come up with stunning decors.

According to Merrill, there are plenty of simple tweaks for low and even no-cost decorating that are both beautiful and functional. For example, when searching for affordable furniture and accessories, the interior designer suggested looking at second-hand, consignment stores, or Facebook Marketplace — places filled with great pieces waiting for a new home.

"This is especially true if you live in an area with a mix of high-end homes and towns where more affluent people are redecorating more frequently and are more likely to be getting rid of better-quality furnishings," Merrill told Bored Panda. "Don’t be afraid of vintage pieces — they are better quality than low-cost items made today and with a little cleaning, painting or reupholstering, you could have a like new item for a fraction of the cost."

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Another inexpensive solution that can make your pad look and feel more put together is paint. "[It] is relatively cheap for the impact it offers and while it requires labor, touching up tired paint on trim and walls, or repainting entirely will freshen up a space significantly." If you’re in a rental, Merrill has recently written a blog post with some ideas on decorating that will work as well, so be sure to take a peek right here.

Merrill pointed out that fabric is a reasonably-priced decorating option that can instantly make a difference. "I’m a big fan of the magic of fabric. It helps to be able to sew, of course. But when I was young and on a no-money budget, I would use sheets to make curtains, bedding, shower curtains and pillows. They come in such pretty patterns and are available at all price points," the interior designer said.

Of course, there are also several no-cost solutions that can make your residence look more put together. "For no money, spend time re-organizing, decluttering and simply re-imagining how you’re using your rooms and can you move things around. We hang a picture and then stop looking at it. Moving things around will make them feel like new (or at least seen!)."

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The interior designer shared a few common decorating mistakes to have in mind when updating your space. First, she explained that old furniture that looks worn out should be repaired to give it a fresh look. "Rachel Ashwell marketed the Shabby Chic aesthetic, which is a feminine take on aged and used-looking items. It’s a gift to be able to turn chippy furniture and frayed fabric edges into a chic (and also expensive) brand. But in reality, nothing looks cheaper than chipped, tired-looking pieces," Merrill explained, adding that a bit of repairing and touching up will always up the whole look.

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Another mistake some homeowners make is bad lighting. "Regardless of how expensive, or inexpensive, an interior is, if the lighting is terrible, it will look terrible," she told us. "Overhead bright lights are reminiscent of being under investigation. Hard on the eyes and makes you look terrible. Don’t rely on just a single ceiling light wherever possible." Merrill suggested avoiding this by simply adding a few table and floor lamps is key. "Also, dimmers are your best friend when it comes to lighting. Switching out standard switches for dimmers is a relatively easy DIY project that will give all your rooms flexibility in the lighting."

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Thea
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one sounds entitled, this is a space saver for people in small spaces, shouldnt be considered anything else but practical.

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Sally Horrocks
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Are there really people who, when visiting a house, stick their head in the shower and then pass judgement on it?

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Falcon dimi
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh no. People can see that I wash my clothes. The horror of having to put the machine where you have space for it.

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When it comes to timeless design choices that can instantly spruce up your home and require little effort, Merrill said that curb appeal is definitely something to consider. "Adding pretty pots of flowers, a fun doormat and a freshly painted front door will up the look overall. The author Edith Wharton said in her book The Decoration of Houses (pub. 1897) that the transition from outside to inside should be as smooth and easy as possible." According to the interior designer, the outside should set up what’s happening on the inside. "If the outside looks tired and lackluster, the inside will feel the same."

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Of course, one of the most important aspects of making your house look stunning is rather simple — declutter. A messy home takes away from the charming space that might be lurking below, Merrill said. "Decluttering and having storage systems in place (such as baskets) to contain toys, clothes, etc., will turn a space around immediately. In the same vein, collections of small items (collectible teapots or action figures) are not elegant unless housed and displayed with intention," she mentioned.

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Snorky The Pig
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Again, depends on the pattern, I know people with scrolly brocade carpet and it looks luxe in a carved-wood living room.

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If you’re in the middle of redecorating or feel overwhelmed by the daunting process of designing your own home, Merrill advised you to have patience and be flexible. "Everything is more expensive and is taking longer these days. Long-lead times are annoying but unavoidable much of the time. If you love something, it’s worth the wait. If it’s not worth the wait, you might not love it as much as you think."

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Downunderdude
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Huh? Aren't shelves for putting things on? Otherwise, what's the point of having them? Is this shelf 'cluttered'?

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AbenteurPirat
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dunno where you live mate, but i've frankly never been to a country where it seemed they hid them. These days interesting designs for your radiators are actually all the rage?!

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Moreover, when it comes to what you need vs. what you want, she explained that our needs must come first. "For example, if you need a decent sofa and want it to be leather (which can be very, very expensive), this is the time to consider the second-hand furniture route. Genuine aniline leather will last for years. Bonded leather, which comes on cheaper pieces, will not last very long because all it is are micro-thin slices of the leather scraps applied to a paper foundation."

"Try to buy the best quality you can on seating and items that will be well-used. Tables get less physical use (usually no one is sitting on them, moving them a lot, etc.) so cheaper stylish versions can be found that will work quite well," she added.

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Thea
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sorry that my room is so small that I cant fit it in in any other way, does this make me poor? Maybe. Does it make me cheap? Absolutely not.

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No matter your decorating budget, you want to create an aesthetically pleasing space that speaks directly to you. "It’s fun to follow trends, but be sure you really actually like it in the first place. Just because everyone is doing gray doesn't mean you will like it. Don’t spend money on things you don’t love." And, most importantly, enjoy the process but take it seriously. "Whether you’re rich or poor, you don’t want to waste money or time," Merrill concluded.

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Pizzagirl 91
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's a place for thick rugs, there's a place for thin rugs. I won't put a thick rug in our nursery, because it's harder to clean and our twins have had diaper accidents sometimes. Similar with the hallways, why would you put a thick rug where people walk in with their shoes on? In our living room, go ahead, I'll take a rug I could lose my keys in.

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Jo Jones
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’d have to disagree on that to the extent . Fake well made silk flowers are beautiful , low maintenance and in a long run cheaper than fresh bought every week . Plastic tat is terrible though , I agree wholeheartedly

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Erin Campbell
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah they’ve come a long way. It took me awhile to realize the flowers in my mom’s kitchen were fake.

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Milady Blue
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't have real plants in the house. The cats treat them as a salad bar.

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Sareaesque
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ugh, same! Have to be careful which I buy in, and they have to survive my cats on top of my attempts to keep them alive

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Nitka Tsar
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hmm... I'm torn. I love some green in my home, but real plants don't last long with me. Plus: my husband is allergic to everything

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Snorky The Pig
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

if you have pets or kids that eat everything, this may be the only way to get real flowers until your funeral, so no.

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Zelda Fitzgerald
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This article should be titled "30 things that a wannabe interior decorator wants to whine about"

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Emily
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My MIL was cat sitting and watered my fake plants. She scolded me for not taking care of them, “they were so dry!”. 😉

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Hypoxia Smurf
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fake plants INSIDE a house may be necessary. Such OUTSIDE the house are signs of cheeziness. Is that a plastic palm tree on your front porch?

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yellowphantom
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have 2 different neighbors with yards full of fake sunflowers. Nothing in this article comes close to that except maybe the corny sayings written on the wall. Many of the items are just not something people who rent or who are not rich, can do anything about, like lighting fixtures and popcorn ceilings. Most of the items are comfort and convenience vs pretentiousness. No one has to put fake flowers in their yard though.

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Ange Marsden
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Plastic is so terrible for the environment, it seems extra criminal to turn it into plants

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Darcy Marie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A lot of fake plants I've seen lately are made from fabric and wax so at least there's an improvement.

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ReallyBoredRedPanda
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I created this account solely to trash on this list. What kind of entitled dumbums worked on this?? Touch some grass already, you are out of reality.

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C C
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dude, some of us literally can't keep flowers/plants alive

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Janet Graham
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Silk flowers are used in many upscale eateries because they are clean and don't have bugs.

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Maggie Dinzler Shaw
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh no. They have them in fancy hotels so no way and I always going to have live., rotting , lasts only a few days plants. Oprah was wrong. If they are well-made , they are art. I even use them outside because they are looking better and better.

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Jen Berry
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is a range of quality for these, also there a places like homes with little to no natural light, little option for lighting and space in the lit areas, basement apartments, attic apartments that still benefit from the presence of nature even if all that will survive is made of plastic.

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Celtic Pirate Queen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have several nice silk ivy plants that are constantly commented on because they seem so "healthy". Sometimes I tell, sometimes I don't.

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Kelly Hartle
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When you have a black thumb and a north facing room, there aren't many options.

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Debbie Somai
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Omg!! People's personal choice has meaning....it shouldn't be downgraded to be cheap. The world is beautiful because of everything different so is someone's space and of course the choice of decor that makes them comfortable..By the way we are all different!!! So please get it together

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Jordan Myles
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I liked how as i scrolled along the rage of the people increased in the comments. And i agree with all of them wtf was this article lol

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Leif Voss
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So according to this post I'll just live in a home with no paintings, no shelves, basically nothing in it except for long curtains. Right? P*ss off. Whoever wrote this is very opinionated.

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Bunty Twinkle
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh, sod off! I have a bunch of plastic light up tulips which I practically worship ( Now banned for Health and Safety reasons) Really plasticky plastic flowers are fab!

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Farmer
Community Member
1 year ago

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Lucy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hahaha you definitely will have a cow in my home cause I have both real & fake plants. 🤣

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GayBoi
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well real ones are expensive to keep up with, I don't have time for that sh*t, and there's more variety for cheaper with fake plants.

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Mona Renouf
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What if your highly allergic but love plants. Just be happy in your home and you can do this tastefully if your careful 😊 What about fake Christmas trees? Is someone bashing those too?

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Kira 7
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I agree to. certain extent- once they become dust traps - decor like this needs to have a short life and be changed per season to something new

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Amy Force
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

F**k You, Samantha, come WATER them yourself, then! lol as long as you keep them CLEAN and dust-free, who CARES??

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Viola Powell
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They need to be so realistic as to be indistinguishable from the real thing, and definitely not plastic!

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Cindy Minnis
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the end of the ""what makes your house look cheap list". All it says to me is that BP isn't in touch with real life anymore. When i looked at the list i expected to have tips and tricks to upgrade things, not a "blame everything existing list".

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Andrew Keane
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Considering the person who made this list obviously doesn’t spend much time in their home to live in it this is a weird one. Maybe their maid waters the plants.

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Sahara
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I cant buy living plants or flowers. They always die. ALWAYS.

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Linda Lou Jett
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok, so I totally agree with this one. Plastic flowers leaves, etc. are just ugly and tacky.

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Kathi Schäffer
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I dislike fake flowers as well but I would never tell anyone they looked cheap. 🙄

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Poultry Geist
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok rich people still keep fake plants they just spend more money on them !

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BadCat
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I rinse mine quarterly and shake them out outside now and then. I also got porcelain dolls collecting dust that I just learned to clean.

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Annelie Swanepoel
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1 year ago

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