Giving your home a new lease of life and redecorating various rooms is a brilliant way to kickstart a new year and with 2020 just around the corner there’s no time like the present to think about what jobs you want to get done and which rooms you think are deserving of a makeover.

But, whether you’re old hat at DIY or just starting out where your ambitions as an interior designer are concerned, you’re sure to make a few mistakes as you go. It’s inevitable, we’re afraid! So with that in mind, here are just a couple of the most common redecorating problems that people encounter on their mission to create their dream home.

Harsh lighting

One of the quickest and easiest ways of creating a different atmosphere at home is by making a few changes to your lighting systems, whether that’s by making a simple switch to exposed filament bulbs, for example, or something a little bit more involved such as changing your spotlights to hanging pendant lamps.

If your current lighting system involves lots of harsh overhead lights, you’ll really notice a huge difference if you bring in low-level lights like table lamps and mix these up with floor lamps and task lighting in appropriate places.

A lack of colour

Being brave can be hard when you feel like you don’t know what you’re doing when it comes to interior design and often this means that you steer clear of being bold with your colour choices.

But you can ease yourself into the wonderful world of bright colours by starting off small with the likes of throw cushions, pillows and a big piece of statement art to offset the white walls at home.

Not testing paint colours

Paint, particularly luxury brands, can be very expensive and while you may love a colour when you’re looking at the swatch in the shop, it might be a very different story once you get home and start painting the walls.

Always make sure that you test your paint colours first and come up with a palette that you know you’re going to love. You’ll save yourself a lot of time, effort and money in the long run, even if it does mean that the room you’re working on takes a bit longer to come together.

Neglecting the hallway

Don’t forget that, aside from your front garden and front door, the hallway will be the first impression that people have of your home - and you’ll want to wow them as much as you can. Make sure it represents you as a homeowner and is welcoming, stylish and well designed.

Check out House Beautiful for some of the top autumn/winter interiors trends for 2019.