Which of these mistakes have you made? I've been guilty of some of these myself in the past! As with all my videos, I've included timestamps to you can refer back to later: 00:00 - Living room design mistakes 00:29 - Doesn't feel cohesive 02:11 - Not enough variation in your color palette 03:52 - Matchy-matchy furniture 05:57 - Rug is too small 07:35 - Not enough breathing space 09:03 - No variation in your lighting 10:20 - Living room is boring 12:09 - TV is too high 13:05 - Pushing all the furniture against the wall 14:15 - Keeping things you don't like
for a TV, one disclaimer I will add - *unless you have a toddler, or any age-child, really, on the spectrum... We just lost 2 TVs in August, because it was at "eye level"... What "should be" and what "needs to be", because... life... is a massive difference.
Keeping things - although it’s been easier since two of my girls have moved out I have “adoption centers” for my things (and if they don’t want them, they are donated)
I have done all these mistakes! :) My awkward living room is small, narrow and L shaped with four doors. Two double doors to terrace, one double door from front entry and one regular door to the kitchen. As if that isn't challenging enough, I share two paper thin walls with neighbors so the tv can only fit in one space as to not disturb. I've yet to create a cohesive space, but I love the location so I'll stay put and live decor style vicariously through you! :) Love your videos! Thank you!
I'm good with most of them except for the last one. I have a hard time parting from things I love but that just don't work in my new place. I keep thinking "I just need to find a place for it" or "what if I get rid of it now and then I have to move and it's the one thing that would make the next place perfect but then I don't have it anymore".
My favorite compliment is when a shopaholic (must have every latest trend) or someone with an amazing sense of style walks into my home and says, "You have SO many nice things!", and they start going into detail and gushing over specifics - and I know everything came from a thrift shop/deep discount/freebie give-away. It takes years, but it can be done.
My mom's place is like that. I think all her furniture is second hand, and has contrasting styles or fabrics, but all has a green and beige kind of theme that fits with the paint and other decor. I tend to like a little more cohesion than that for places I have people over a lot, but I'm looking at how to lay out my sewing room, and it will probably end up more unique as my sewing machine came in a desk and I can't really match that, so I'm going for different wood grain things then my metal shelves, and hoping it doesn't look like an antique store or something. It's hard to pull things together if they're too different.
My highest compliment is when someone wants a piece of my furniture. I bought a zebra upholstered chair to go with my black leather couch. I could have sold it for 3 times what I paid for it. But I love it so I've still got it.
I once heard someone defend keeping a piece of furniture they admitted didn’t fit their space anymore “because keeping it doesn’t cost anything,” to which the other person replied “it is costing you something. It’s costing you real estate in your home that could be housing a piece that you do love and does fit your space and your life.” And that always stuck with me.
It also costs you peace of mind! The old style granny floral stripe & puffy sofas my sweetheart likes completely makes me feel super depressed and it's ugly as well. He has a huge sectional nubby tweed sectional (10 pieces!) with those appalling drink storage inside and 2 matchy matchy floral stripe sofa & love seat set. Arghh! It's not in our new home but it's not for his lack of trying! 😅
I've often had the impression that people don't realize how much their home environment affects their mood, well-being and sense of equilibrium. They don't prioritize home furnishing and interior design. Choosing a color palette or décor style, can make the difference between walking into a home you love, or just someplace place you shower and sleep.
So true! We are in between transition apartments and oh boy! Everything is in shades of gray and whites! I work in an hospital who shares these colors in every rooms. So I basically feel at work while not a work. Hopefully its temporary but it makes you appreciate customized decors. And colors.
It’s so hard tho and overwhelming. I just moved into a new home that needs everything updated and it’s really tough. I’ve been watching nicks videos and working thru pintrest to help me
@@helenf.7221 that can be overwhelming but I find if you focus and take on one room at a time its less stressful. And take your time. There is no rush to design your home the way you want it.
I work in mental health (30 years), about 20 years ago I realized I needed to change my home to bright colors, not crayon bright , but bright where my mood would change for the better after a long day at work. I got rid of matchy matchy and it’s one of the best decision I made . Thanks for sharing!
I have ADHD so I made each room have a different colour scheme featuring one brighter colour as a main point, or maybe two. Largely because I have a yellow kitchen sink, and a bathroom with pink lines in the tile and don't want to change those (yet anyway). I've seen some places that are so beige, or maybe a brown and burgundy look, and it gets so boring with all the dark colours and sameness.
@@joyloxfunny k have adhd as well, and im doing the oppsite atm, with going for calm relaxing beige, brown , natur colours. But also im at a time in my life where i might be diagnosed with ME and have been stressed alot so im teying out a new calm style to destress . But the sink and tiles at your kitchen seems so cute and creative 🎉 now i have a blue/turkish* walls in my living room, and bright yellow orange in my kitchen, and my sons room is dark purple with pink hands 😂🎉 its caos, its fun, but its a bit messy atm.
By the same token, I heard of a couture fashion designer that did his home in bland grey. But this makes sense because he is bombarded with color and pattern all through the day. In his off hours he needed some sensory deprivation to rest and refresh.
It's the guilt. Its always the guilt. The money I spent on the 'mistakes' means that I absolutely agonise over replacing the wretched things. Truly, its like a recurring nightmare. I need permission to let them go and to forgive myself for my rookie design horrors...this was a great video for me! Thanks as always Nick, for shining light and wisdom onto us!
Swallow your pride and sell them!! Facebook marketplace makes it so easy to sell furniture just list it and before you know it someone will be coming to pick it up and take it out of your sight lol
I can relate. Selling is a great option but because I don’t like dealing with strangers I donate to a local thrift store where the profits go to animal fostering and rescue. It’s easy to let go when you know you’re saving a kitten!
Someone shared this with me and it helped a lot! The mistake was maid when you purchased said item, not when letting it go. You are only further hurting yourself by keeping things you do not love.
the guilt you feel is from "fashion" industries to make you think it'snot good enough and buy MORE MORE MORE. Whats a mistake this decade, wasn't a mistake the decade before. What is a mistake really? someone isles opinion? they create these mistakes to keep you perpetually a slave working to buy more crap you dont need so you can be happy. until the next trend. I really hope people with your mentality also are not supporting the global warming propaganda because that would make them hypocrites. the pollution caused to constantly make new things and then bury them in landfills is astonishing.
the guilt you feel is from "fashion" industries to make you think it'snot good enough and buy MORE MORE MORE. Whats a mistake this decade, wasn't a mistake the decade before. What is a mistake really? someone else's opinion? they create these mistakes to keep you perpetually a slave working to buy more crap you dont need so you can be happy. until the next trend. I really hope people with your mentality also are not supporting the global warming propaganda because that would make them hypocrites. the pollution caused to constantly make new things and then bury them in landfills is astonishing.
I may be overstepping here, but I wanna add that although using varying shades of the same color is incredibly important, making sure the undertones to that shade are the same is just as important imo. A blue with noticeably purple undertones will look awful with a blue with green undertones. Using varying shades of one or the other would look much better but unfortunately not everyone can see these varying undertones which can make it tricky.
When shopping for home decor, you can take along your wallpaper sample, and even an armchair or sofa arm cover, or take a pillow form out of a sofa pillow and bring it along to check colors. I am a painter so I can usually recall colors quite accurately, but gee, if you are investing $2k in a sofa you want to make darn sure the color and shade are correct or will coordinate.
So true. I was shopping for throw pillows for my sofa and came across some that clearly would work, but there were a couple I was on the fence about-which shade of blue that would work without being the exact same color as the sofa or the grossly wrong shade that wouldn't flow well. I guessed right when I was sure I'd screwed up. On the sofa, it blends so well with the sofa and other pillows. It's not a match, but the other one I had that I was considering was too close and didn't provide the right kind of shading. I just got lucky, but I love my sofa now, when before it looked completely wrong with the matchy matchy pillows I had.
Guilty of being boring! My excuses were “this is a temporary place, so why bother” and “if can’t have it all come together at once, why bother.” Big mistake. It’s better to take a leap of faith because even if it isn’t perfect, it’ll feel way more comfortable and at-home than a boring space would. Sometimes it doesn’t matter how well you do, but just that you tried.
Another perspective on "boring" is that everyone has to start somewhere! I think it's better to start with too little than to get a whole ton of stuff just to fill the space :)
I think the hardest part of creating cohesive space is when you live with a partner who has completely different decor style and you can’t seem to reach compromise.
Oh wow, that does sound like a difficult situation. Yikes. I've lived with 3 partners and 4 roommates, and I'm feeling incredibly grateful right now that none of them cared about that sort of thing. It was difficult to be childfree to age 31 and then suddenly have a 5 year old living there (came with the boyfriend). Definitely a lesson in patience and boundaries. 😆
Omg yes this makes it so hard 😫 my boyfriend likes for every piece of furniture to be dark brown and clunky, the absolute total opposite of me. He wants me to move in with him soon and I told him I have to redecorate the whole place or there’s no way in hell I can live there lol it’s literally so dark in there and brown and 🤮💩 besides this he’s lovely and the best I swear lol
Compromise on rooms, my kitchen,living room and guest bathroom is up to me ,but the bedroom and bathroom is up to my husband (since no one can see it) 😁😁😁
Donating or selling unwanted, lightly used furniture is part of the whole reduce-reuse-recycle mantra! What might not work in your living might be exactly what someone else needs. It's one less piece that someone else needs to buy new.
Love this! One small caveat--if you have in your household someone with mobility issues or balance issues (or is just on the elderly side), it is not a crime to skip a rug entirely; indeed, doing so is often recommended by eldercare experts. There are other ways to soften and cohere a space!
Yes, although I don't have mobility issues, I recently spent a day at a friend's home and kept tripping over the big plush area rug. It did look good, but...
wouldn’t a rug soften their fall? like remove all hard furniture and keep rugs, lounges and ottomans, so if the elderly do fall they won’t break their rib (i’m not kidding, i am serious, elderly are highly likely to fall at some point towards the end, it may prolong their life!)
@@chloe-historyandgames Actually, according to medical advice, no. Rugs are FAR more likely to cause slips and falls, especially for those using canes or walkers. The first thing eldercare experts advise is to get rid of all rugs and carpets.
You hit the nail on the head when you said, “Some people are just scared… afraid of making a mistake.” But this was so informative and encouraging. Thank you.
Preach it, sister! You should do a couple of videos where you “critique” people’s spaces (or just say what you would do differently… critiques might hurt feelings)! And another video where you give people advice on their specific space. I think it’d be fun! Plus, I have a corner and a buffet/bar that I need help with hahaha Cheers from Albuquerque, New Mexico! 😁
I just thought the same thing. I’d be curious to see if he agrees with my choices or would rip me a new one. Either way I’m curious if I’m on the right track.
I just shared this video with my fiancé because we are renovating our house and he is very stubborn. Everything you said has described what I’ve been trying to say to him. I just don’t want to live in my house with everything looking mismatching because I will literally go insane. A lot of this stuff is quality of living. You’d be surprised on how much colors matter and shapes of things matter. I think your advice is absolutely awesome and thank you for it!
*So, this is what I've summarized:* 1. Color combination (preferably pastel walls) 2. Harmony & cohesion 3. Layers of lighting (preferably 4000K) 4. Rugs/Carpets at least under the front legs of all sittings/sofa 5. Only keep functional items - Minimalism 6. Leave room for the air to pass around 7. Avoid undersized curtains 8. Wall hangings in the middle & eye level 9. Correctly measure furniture sizes & proportion 10. Same flooring throughout the house (same pattern & color) 11. Always store (hide) all stuffs in closed cabinets
@@sharonannelarkin9534 Yeah, I agree with you; 4000K is generally considered "bright daylight" or "cool white". Nice for a lab, garage, or sometimes kitchen & bath, where you want to see detail, color accuracy, etc... but something closer to 3300K ("warm" light) is usually preferred for softening things up, closer to a traditional incandescent bulb, that's my usual favorite for everyday life. Modern LED bulb or LED light strip solutions can usually do both, so they're optimal. I use Philips HUE and other similar products so I can have whatever suits the room, mood, or time of day.
You’re segments about the color palette and about mixing up furniture is exactly what I’ve been trying to work out, so it’s exactly what I needed today. I’m trying not to be matchy matchy and trying not to go hodgepodge too. It strikes fear and paralysis in me. Thank you for the inspiration and education that seems to have unblocked me.
"Even the dog thinks this rug is stupid" LOL! Always so funny and informative. I actually LEARN stuff from you that I want to apply. Keep it up! Love from a fellow Canadian 😊
Number 10 is totally correct. After decades, we are now clearing those items we were gifted when we were young, poor, and only too happy to have them. If I bought a 50s-60s ranch, I would decorate like Nick, very sophisticated, mid-century. Love the blues and browns! We collect Arts and Crafts pieces so we follow follow this advice: “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” ― William Morris
Design Evolution : when my partner and I first got together, we enjoyed the little MCM house, we up graded a few pieces, couch, bed, etc, but then he discovered a 19th Century Chinese vernacular furniture importer and next thing you know, my house is a Chinese restaurant. After a couple of years, I made my move back to MODERN. Now we have a blended balance of MCM Furniture and Asian and Native American Accents. Surprisingly they work well together. I'll have to drop a video.
THANK YOU!!!!! I use to be very good friends with an interior designer. When I bought my living room rug, she came in and said all your legs have to be on the rug you have to go out and buy a bigger rug. It is a beautiful hand bound rug from a local rug maker. The front legs of my chairs and sofa are on the the rug!! She also mortified me when in front of a group of friends, criticized the new reupholstered sofa of our friend. She rubbed her hands roughing over the fabric and was able to move it a bit. “Your upholsterer did a terrible job! You need to make him redo it!” The sofa looked beautiful. Thankfully, the designer moved away.
I'm guilty of too much colour, and have to be mindful that what I love can be a tad overwhelming. I think the matchy-matchy is often a result of being eager to finish the room and not having patience to curate it over time.
When i styled our family room about 3 years ago, we used grey primarily. Grey carpet, walls, curtain, but it made it very sore on the eyes to walk into a room with just grey. We have really wide windows and we changed to white sheer curtains and changing the area rug to off white and WOW, it totally changed the mood
What about some colours to give life to the room, a vase, candles and some pillows in the same colours in the sofa eara‼️If everything are beige and grey it's boring, things needs a contrast‼️
Grey, white, beige black are neutrals. Which means they can all be used with ANY color but not primarily alone. Look at the colors Mother Nature uses. She does not make mistakes!
Great advice here! I think ultimately we just want to create a living space that WE feel comfortable in. The color scheme, furniture and rugs are all part of the solution to the issue.
I love you, Nick. I love how you are so kind and give your advice in as non-judgmental a way as you can. I am NOT creative so it is hard for me to put together a cohesive look and I feel like your channel has helped me conceptualize how to put my decor together. Love your channel!
@@TheDenisedrake Marie Kondo who helps ppl to declutter and get rid of things in their home, she said we shall sit wt our items in our hands and ask, does it sparks joy❓If the answer is no, get rid of it‼️She's at Netflix ‼️
I've had some luck rearranging and repurposing. If an item just isn't doing it for you in its current space, can it be moved? I think we get stuck sometimes because we're married to the idea of "x furniture belongs in x room." If you can't use it ANYwhere in your home, then sell or donate it.
This video has made me realize how much effort and love it takes to make a space feel cohesive. It makes me feel better about my home always being an evolving work in progress. Most times when I try to find something for my space I get a bit discouraged but I'm starting to understand why. Great video, needed this!
I love this advice!!! Your words reassure my taste in decor style. My biggest mistake was listening to others opinions whose tastes were way off from mine. Often times I found myself trying to have approval of my in-laws, who love traditional and matchy matchy looks. I would never feel happy with my space. Once I stopped listening to them and started using my personal tastes and creativity, I finally have a space I love! It's slowly coming together to fit my vision ❤
Love this video. I have heard all those words before but the pictures really tied it all together for me. I have definetly pushed my couch up against the wall mainly because I have worried about the space behind the couch but I think I got that figured out now. Thanks Nick for a great video.
Many moons ago (80's) I bought a quasi matching bedroom set that I so regret! I vowed never to repeat that mistake! My family room now has an eye level TV media cabinet. A vintage storage truck as a side table, an ottoman coffee table with 3 free standing chairs and a large neutral linen couch under a set of lovely windows. I love the linen drapes, and deep seating couch with some fun pillows in different hues of peacock blue, rust and gold. As you move through the space to the dining area, the peacock melts into navy blue, gold melts into a gorgeous yellow and the rust shows up in rich wood toned dining set. The same is true for my living room and library. One color hue begets another color hue. My spaces feel cohesive with different hues of color running through the rooms. It feels inviting, comfortable, approachable, yet very well curated. Loved this video, now I just need to get rid of the matchy matchy bedroom set!
I was about to commit the single color repeat mistake in a new living room I'm working on. What a relief to not be relegated to one hue, because it's proven very hard to match that color. Thanks for a great video with practicable ideas. Think I've found my new go-to ID channel.
I was going to make that mistake, but circumstance corrected it for me. I really like antiques, and it’s really hard to find two antique pieces that are exactly the same shade, so I had to get varying shades.
My family room is painted a medium grey color, I have black leather furniture, black tables, and five large colorful paintings hanging one the walls. And a cat tree. It only took me 25 years to finally be happy with the space.
8:12 I LOVE how you specifically highlight accessibility of living spaces and considering different body types and ways of moving. Thanks for insisting that true style is inclusive and ideally, universal. 🤟🏼
Nick! You are both very knowledgeable and engaging. I've learned a lot from you. Thank you. Also, thank you for all the times you point out where people with mobility issues might have a problem. My parents now are dealing with such issues, so I am more aware of them than I have been in the past. I love you for noting them.
The best things about your videos, your ability to take a subject, get to the point right away, make it easy to understand AND your sense of humour. If I’m feeling a little down or out of sorts, I re-watch your videos because you make me laugh with your uplifting personality. By the end of a video I’m laughing out loud. It brightens my day seeing you’ve released a new video. Thank you 🙏
I'm a big fan of lamps. We have overhead light fixtures, but I don't like using them because it makes the room too bright. Plus lamps can add decorative interest if you get cool ones. I have vintage wood and brass table lamps in my living room.
Lamps are one of the more practical items to source affordably from secondhand shops. It isn't difficult to replace the socket and cord if they're worn, and shades can be sourced separately online. Ebay and Etsy are also useful resources, and you can get some great deals with Ebay auctions -- just never bid for auction on something you aren't okay with possibly being outbid on. If you can't live without it, stick to Buy It Now so you aren't tempted. Useful keywords may include: vintage, original, antique, midcentury, mod. Also the materials (e.g., brass, wood, lucite, acrylic, marble) if you have something specific in mind. With Ebay you can also load an image to search for similar items, at least you can on their mobile app, so if you go gaga for something on Pinterest, you can save it and use it to browse more effectively.
I love love that way you were talking and the details you gave. You were very respectful, and sensitive and you are the only person that were able to talk about all these mistakes that we all do without hurting anybody, or insulting anybody. I appreciate that. You are aswome 👏
My biggest mistake was buying really dark furniture for a small place with little natural light. Not only did it feel like I was living in a cave but I haaaaaate seeing dust on my table or shelves. Never buying black, shiny furniture again lol. Can't work from home if I see any dust nowadays. And as it was my first students appartement it pretty much looked like a stacked Ikea showroom. I'm really into Oriental interior design mixed with some boho touch and I love japanese artwork. So I'll try to decorate my future appartement with more beige, yellow, orange colours with some rattan, bamboos elements with a lot of plants. I will definetely not overload my appartement with too much and dark furniture again.
best thing about furniture, is that it can be painted! that dark furniture can be flipped and refreshed and BRIGHTENED with a nice coat of bright paint. I agree with the dust showing so easily on dark furniture! but I jus love black and dark walnut so much lol
You can just paint the black furnitures in a bright colour, paint is cheap‼️Dark furnitures are heavy and depressive, bright up your home, black is a colour that's recommended to be a contrast in homes, but to much of it is to much‼️
Your advice is very valuable and timely. What you say about the color palette and the styles of the furniture makes me feel very identified, since I've always thought that knowing how to apply contrasts is where creativity lies and where one can experiment to innovate. Right now, I have a Le Corbusier LC3 Sofa from Manhattan Home Design and my wife and I want to add throw pillows to it with eye-catching designs and bold colors that contrast nicely with its sober black leather upholstery. Contrasting colors and styles is one of the things I like the most about the minimalist eclectic style. Thanks a ton for these tips!
When we got our house, it was a gut job, so we started from scratch with new electric, plumbing, etc. We put recessed can lights with dimmers all through our house and we love having the ability to change the lighting by mood, time of day etc.
Thank you for this video. As I listened to. You I looked around my room and for the first time, I felt good about what I have (and don’t have) in this room. I have colors, woods, textures, interest, and space. It is warm and inviting. It has things to look at. I have three levels of lighting and each level has a different tone of light. It is functional and elegant. Thank you for making me feel good about my space. Now…..for the rest of the house!
I have a matching bedroom set and I like the matchy-Machy look. Everything toes together perfectly. Before that I had mismatch furniture that was lovely as well but my ex-boyfriend took it when he walked out. I’m usually operating on things that I’ve been handed down or found for a very low cost so when I got a tax return and got my matching bedroom set I was so excited.
@@AvecPoesie no he took his own furniture that was traditional style mixed with my IKEA stuff. It didn’t match but I liked having the storage that his dresser supplied. That’s why I decided to upgrade my bedroom set with my tax return and made everything match!
Well done, you! As a fashion designer, I am singing from a similar design hymnal, as yourself. We are educating our clients to have a sense of style, elegance and fun with their outer expressions. Cheering for you!
Great video. These reminders make us all take a second look at our spaces. My fall goal is to invite a friend in to look at my space with new eyes. I might not agree with them but it will give me "food for thought."
Great video about a room thats so important to get right. When we downsized and bought a small one floor home the focal point in the LR was a floor to ceiling picture window that overlooks the woods. There is no furniture or curtains on or near that window. You can clearly see outside from the couch and the single recliners swivel either toward the window, the TV or the couch for conversation. Learned from 2 previous houses and many design mistakes!!
Love this video! I'm designing my living room now and this was perfect timing. I struggle with figuring out how to decorate the walls - could you maybe speak to this in an upcoming video? How to pick wall art/decorate walls.
This guy's the man. Thank you sir for the positive vibe to the channel and the helpful advice. You've brought immense validation to my ten year old daughter's impatient critiques of my furnishings. God bless, ~Mike
I love that you look into the camera as if you are talking to me. And I love that you show lots of examples. I feel like I am taking a design class. Thanks!
I am guilty of the too small rug! Mostly because we moved and we haven’t gotten around to getting a new one yet. But I agree!!! I need a larger rug!!! It looks so weird! Hahaha
What a great video, I especially liked the last tip. We are in the process of building our first house, and TBH I keep looking at my furniture and realizing it reflects the old me - single, no kids, living in an apartment downtown. I now have a kid, plan to live in the suburbs, I work from home, and I want something that reflects my life today.
I am on the brink of moving to a new apartment and I am going to be applying this advice to the best of my ability. Right now I have almost exclusively second hand furniture that I can’t afford to replace but I’m going to be putting in more lighting levels and try to keep a color pallet of some kind for any new things I bring in. Honestly it’s just going to be a hot mess but a slightly more educated hot mess thanks to this channel XD
I moved into my first “all mine” apartment last March. It’s just about starting to look cohesive and quite cozy! Best part? Most things coming in were bought secondhand, never cost over $20, and a lot was even from next to the trash. I couldn’t afford a bunch of new things, but it’s been so fun being on the hunt over Facebook marketplace. Best of luck to you with your new place! I’m sure you will love it!
As an architect engineer, I agree with you. Some points don't go straight into architecture, such as "keep things that you don't like", but all the rest is true. When I design a home, I must know where the furniture will be, where the TV is going to be place, how the space is going to be lighted. I can't just throw an empty space and say "hey, here's your living room, put every furniture as you like". I've not seen much of your videos, but I'm sure they're pretty handful. You got a new subscriber, Nick.
Management company replaced the vintage ceiling light in my apt with that exact boob light, claiming it was done to save electricity. Need to figure out some way to cover it up!! Wonder if a paper lantern might fit over it, while leaving the fixture intact.
I'm medicine student during my free time I watch your videos they are amazing and informative. I have learnt so much about interior designe from your videos 😍 thanks for your effort and tips 💕
Thank you for this. It’s my FAVE of all of your videos this far. Can you do a video about best ways to deal with a large wall on which the tv is hung, such as flanking it with art pieces, book shelves on either side, etc.? Maybe a video on choosing colors to pull from in a Persian rug -in a neutral boring room-adding pizzazz to that room. Asking for a friend ;) Thanks for your excellent content Nick. ✌️
Lately I have seen pictures of rooms where they have a huge t.v., say 70” wide, sitting on a 48” wide cabinet. It looks so weird to me, like the tiny rug in a large room.
When he mentioned TV's, I immediately thought of "TV is too big for the room." Too many people buy the biggest TV for the money, but there is a correct size TV for the distance between the sofa and the screen. If it's too big, you can't actually see everything on the screen at the same time.
This is probably (definitely?) a design no-no, but about 10 or so years ago we got rope lights to put up for Christmas. We liked them so much that we ended up putting them around the ceiling in the LR & DR for just enough ambient lighting for night time. We recently upgraded them to ones with a remote that can change color and they are awesome.
We have some around our kitchen cabinets 😅 it's really great for feeding the baby in the middle of the night and gives us that glow that we can't install in a rental.
But rope lights are so college dormy. You could get a similar effect with a bar light fixture with different LED mini-lamps on it that you can aim in different directions. That would look amazing and less tacky but still provide the lighting you want. If you can have them installed on walls, sconces also fill that need with ambient lighting for watching TV or feeding a baby in the middle of the night. You can also get pin-up lamps for a cozy cabin feel.
Excited for this series, would love one on the bathroom! Struggling with how to make rugs and the shower curtain work, without being a hodgepodge or too monochrome.
Lmao, I wish I had a house big enough to follow studio McGee sitting room idea. 58 sqm apt won't accommodate more than one couch and one armchair. Good thing I have very few friends to host.
@@Nick_Lewis My armchair is actually a designer piece from the 70s called Falcon Lounge chair from Sigurd Resell I got from my grandparents house. You can be my 6th friend and sit on that.
So glad I found your video. You're the guy we need! Will start watching religiously but if you're in my area, do drop by. We need people like you to help us! You're very good!
Hey Nick! I'd love to know how you'd recommend decorating with personal/family photos. I shy away from decorating with pictures of our family, especially ones that are formal shots, because it feels like it clashes with our minimal decor. I'd love any recs you have on how and where I can put these back into my life!!
Thank you for the good & bad photo examples. I’m a visual learner and have recently been told shades of the same color are best yet in my mind it should all be the same color but as soon as you shared photos I instantly understood. This is a masterclass in design information and I’ll be back again to review it!
Excellent informative video Nick. In my situation I think my design choices specifically hinge on budget and available cash. For instance, I’ve picked “safe” ( i.e. browns) colors and fabrics for longevity. For us, because we have cats, we have throws on the chairs. Anyway, thanks for all the great advice.
I do the same. Also if I plan on re-selling I want it to be neutral for the new owners. When I first bought my place and remodeled it I had great dreams of grandeur and really eclectic tastes but people were telling me to tone it down and now I love it & thankful because I add accents to insert new color schemes as I wish.
Oh Nick, thank you so much! My living room is really small and everything is too close together. I have been really fretting about it because I need more lighting and there is NO space for it. The conundrum has been that the living room does not have its own walls - my dining room, living room, and entry way all share space but my living room in particular has manifested as just this small box in the corner. I have been blaming the couch, which is huge, for limiting the space but this video gave me an "ah-ha!" moment. My (temporary) hand-me-down rug is actually the space limiting factor. My rug is not as long as the space permits and as a result the entry-way is about double the depth it needs to be and the living room is about 2/3 the length it should be. Thank you!!!
Can you do a video on rugs? I have no idea what size should be used for different spaces. I bought a 10x12 for under my king bed but I'm not sure what direction is the best. I ended up going for what I liked but is there a good "rule" for how many inches should be outside the furniture? I'm having the same problem in my living room. Does the furniture sit on top the rug or around it? What about rugs under dining tables? Or when to use runners? I hope that makes sense.
How I make things feel cohesive - enjoy something in the store that's in a similar color or style and then see if I can make it work in my space haha. Probably not the best/most efficient but I usually pick things up when I'm not actually out looking for things.
Color pallet is SO Important! I wish more people not using a designer or decorator would learn to use a color wheel. Use the opposite color for contrast, use various shades of the main color (as Nick said). Learning color theory will make your entire life easier. This was a great video thank you Nick! ♥️✌🏼
I have a postage stamp, round Jute rug under my rectangular coffee table by the sectional. A designers nightmare! LOL I think it looks great. The rest of my floors are bare with some runners. On the windows that I have blinds on, I don’t put curtains. I don’t think we need all these extra fabrics!
Bravo! Good tips. I need help with the wall behind my couch. Everything else in my living room is looking great, but I have this big blank wall that I’m wanting to be the focal point of my cozy/zen/boho room. If all else fails, I will put up a piece of art, but, can you do a video on wall decor ideas, besides gallery walls?
Patterned wallpaper is an option too. I have a big wall behind my couch and I'm planning on putting up a big, interestingly shaped mirror above a couple of shelves for plants and objets!
Love this video. As you are talking, I’m gazing around my living room. Mostly, I’m following the rules. But, I do love my matcha match furniture that is up against the wall. The end tables vary in in height and shape. Lamps are different sizes and heights. But my furniture works out well for me and my 2 little dogs and 3 grandchildren. I have a large rug and use different shades of blues and grays throughout the space. My tv is not too high. So I think I’m doing some things right and some things “wrong” but most of all, my space should be warm, cozy and inviting. I love being here ☺️💕
I've been looking at houses to rent. In the period of two weeks, I have seen multiple rent houses come online with a beautiful kitchen that is too small for an island so instead, they place a very narrow, wooden rectangular table in the middle and put a fruit bowl on it. It is ridiculous. Usually, it's a wider galley kitchen and the so-called "island" doesn't match the rest of the kitchen. They place a fruit bowl on it for the photo but in reality, that table is too narrow to really use in a kitchen, you can't sit around it and it makes it hard to get around it. It seems to be a thing people do these days when they want an island but their kitchen is not the right shape for it. One for the bathroom: I recently went to a vacation cottage where the young lady had put patterned tile stickers above the bathroom sink to look like there were these decorated tiles. But they were stickers... The stickers were good quality so they really created the tile look but the thing is; once you notice it's a sticker and not a real tile, you can't unsee that, the fancy decor illusion is ruined forever.
I just finished decorating a new living room. I know nothing about decorating but I carefully took two years to pick furniture, lighting, and rugs. I did not violate any of your guidelines and really like the results. Thanks for the confirmation.
The colour variation point was quite helpful. I know not to have multiple large items in the exact same colour, but I was still thinking I should repeat the exact same colour throughout the room for cohesion. I can see now in your "good" example why shade variation looks nicer. Thanks!
I don't do interior design, my room barely fits a desk, sofa and bed. I still love these videos. I don't know, it feels like listening to a person who is super passionate and knowledgable about this specific subject and yeah, I like that
I watch your videos all the time, and I think this is one of your better ones. I really like what you said about not having everything up against the wall. Everything about this video made absolute sense. Thanks so much. You have given me much to think about.
Which of these mistakes have you made? I've been guilty of some of these myself in the past!
As with all my videos, I've included timestamps to you can refer back to later:
00:00 - Living room design mistakes
00:29 - Doesn't feel cohesive
02:11 - Not enough variation in your color palette
03:52 - Matchy-matchy furniture
05:57 - Rug is too small
07:35 - Not enough breathing space
09:03 - No variation in your lighting
10:20 - Living room is boring
12:09 - TV is too high
13:05 - Pushing all the furniture against the wall
14:15 - Keeping things you don't like
for a TV, one disclaimer I will add - *unless you have a toddler, or any age-child, really, on the spectrum... We just lost 2 TVs in August, because it was at "eye level"... What "should be" and what "needs to be", because... life... is a massive difference.
I'm guilty of keeping things I don't like - especially if it was a gift- so much guilt around getting rid of it. Ugh
Keeping things - although it’s been easier since two of my girls have moved out I have “adoption centers” for my things (and if they don’t want them, they are donated)
I have done all these mistakes! :)
My awkward living room is small, narrow and L shaped with four doors. Two double doors to terrace, one double door from front entry and one regular door to the kitchen. As if that isn't challenging enough, I share two paper thin walls with neighbors so the tv can only fit in one space as to not disturb.
I've yet to create a cohesive space, but I love the location so I'll stay put and live decor style vicariously through you! :)
Love your videos! Thank you!
I'm good with most of them except for the last one. I have a hard time parting from things I love but that just don't work in my new place. I keep thinking "I just need to find a place for it" or "what if I get rid of it now and then I have to move and it's the one thing that would make the next place perfect but then I don't have it anymore".
the highest compliment i ever got about my living room is 'nothing matches, but everything goes together'. boho style goals :)
Can you direct us to the photos of it? It will help us.. it's really difficult to imagine
@@MnM008 look up boho style its pretty much that
My favorite compliment is when a shopaholic (must have every latest trend) or someone with an amazing sense of style walks into my home and says, "You have SO many nice things!", and they start going into detail and gushing over specifics - and I know everything came from a thrift shop/deep discount/freebie give-away. It takes years, but it can be done.
My mom's place is like that. I think all her furniture is second hand, and has contrasting styles or fabrics, but all has a green and beige kind of theme that fits with the paint and other decor. I tend to like a little more cohesion than that for places I have people over a lot, but I'm looking at how to lay out my sewing room, and it will probably end up more unique as my sewing machine came in a desk and I can't really match that, so I'm going for different wood grain things then my metal shelves, and hoping it doesn't look like an antique store or something. It's hard to pull things together if they're too different.
My highest compliment is when someone wants a piece of my furniture. I bought a zebra upholstered chair to go with my black leather couch. I could have sold it for 3 times what I paid for it. But I love it so I've still got it.
I once heard someone defend keeping a piece of furniture they admitted didn’t fit their space anymore “because keeping it doesn’t cost anything,” to which the other person replied “it is costing you something. It’s costing you real estate in your home that could be housing a piece that you do love and does fit your space and your life.” And that always stuck with me.
It also costs you peace of mind! The old style granny floral stripe & puffy sofas my sweetheart likes completely makes me feel super depressed and it's ugly as well. He has a huge sectional nubby tweed sectional (10 pieces!) with those appalling drink storage inside and 2 matchy matchy floral stripe sofa & love seat set. Arghh! It's not in our new home but it's not for his lack of trying! 😅
I've often had the impression that people don't realize how much their home environment affects their mood, well-being and sense of equilibrium. They don't prioritize home furnishing and interior design. Choosing a color palette or décor style, can make the difference between walking into a home you love, or just someplace place you shower and sleep.
Absolutely! In design school I took a class called design psychology which was phenomenal!
So true! We are in between transition apartments and oh boy! Everything is in shades of gray and whites! I work in an hospital who shares these colors in every rooms. So I basically feel at work while not a work. Hopefully its temporary but it makes you appreciate customized decors. And colors.
It’s so hard tho and overwhelming. I just moved into a new home that needs everything updated and it’s really tough. I’ve been watching nicks videos and working thru pintrest to help me
So true
@@helenf.7221 that can be overwhelming but I find if you focus and take on one room at a time its less stressful. And take your time. There is no rush to design your home the way you want it.
I work in mental health (30 years), about 20 years ago I realized I needed to change my home to bright colors, not crayon bright , but bright where my mood would change for the better after a long day at work. I got rid of matchy matchy and it’s one of the best decision I made . Thanks for sharing!
I'm also in mental health field and have chose to finally make my home a haven with rich lux colors
I'm actually doing the opposite. I'm going dark and luxe with rich colour and textiles and interesting lamps to create a cocoon!
I have ADHD so I made each room have a different colour scheme featuring one brighter colour as a main point, or maybe two. Largely because I have a yellow kitchen sink, and a bathroom with pink lines in the tile and don't want to change those (yet anyway). I've seen some places that are so beige, or maybe a brown and burgundy look, and it gets so boring with all the dark colours and sameness.
@@joyloxfunny k have adhd as well, and im doing the oppsite atm, with going for calm relaxing beige, brown , natur colours. But also im at a time in my life where i might be diagnosed with ME and have been stressed alot so im teying out a new calm style to destress . But the sink and tiles at your kitchen seems so cute and creative 🎉 now i have a blue/turkish* walls in my living room, and bright yellow orange in my kitchen, and my sons room is dark purple with pink hands 😂🎉 its caos, its fun, but its a bit messy atm.
By the same token, I heard of a couture fashion designer that did his home in bland grey. But this makes sense because he is bombarded with color and pattern all through the day. In his off hours he needed some sensory deprivation to rest and refresh.
It's the guilt. Its always the guilt. The money I spent on the 'mistakes' means that I absolutely agonise over replacing the wretched things. Truly, its like a recurring nightmare. I need permission to let them go and to forgive myself for my rookie design horrors...this was a great video for me! Thanks as always Nick, for shining light and wisdom onto us!
Swallow your pride and sell them!! Facebook marketplace makes it so easy to sell furniture just list it and before you know it someone will be coming to pick it up and take it out of your sight lol
I can relate. Selling is a great option but because I don’t like dealing with strangers I donate to a local thrift store where the profits go to animal fostering and rescue. It’s easy to let go when you know you’re saving a kitten!
Someone shared this with me and it helped a lot!
The mistake was maid when you purchased said item, not when letting it go. You are only further hurting yourself by keeping things you do not love.
the guilt you feel is from "fashion" industries to make you think it'snot good enough and buy MORE MORE MORE. Whats a mistake this decade, wasn't a mistake the decade before. What is a mistake really? someone isles opinion? they create these mistakes to keep you perpetually a slave working to buy more crap you dont need so you can be happy. until the next trend. I really hope people with your mentality also are not supporting the global warming propaganda because that would make them hypocrites. the pollution caused to constantly make new things and then bury them in landfills is astonishing.
the guilt you feel is from "fashion" industries to make you think it'snot good enough and buy MORE MORE MORE. Whats a mistake this decade, wasn't a mistake the decade before. What is a mistake really? someone else's opinion? they create these mistakes to keep you perpetually a slave working to buy more crap you dont need so you can be happy. until the next trend. I really hope people with your mentality also are not supporting the global warming propaganda because that would make them hypocrites. the pollution caused to constantly make new things and then bury them in landfills is astonishing.
I may be overstepping here, but I wanna add that although using varying shades of the same color is incredibly important, making sure the undertones to that shade are the same is just as important imo. A blue with noticeably purple undertones will look awful with a blue with green undertones. Using varying shades of one or the other would look much better but unfortunately not everyone can see these varying undertones which can make it tricky.
Yes!!
Yep, it’s all about the colour wheel
When shopping for home decor, you can take along your wallpaper sample, and even an armchair or sofa arm cover, or take a pillow form out of a sofa pillow and bring it along to check colors. I am a painter so I can usually recall colors quite accurately, but gee, if you are investing $2k in a sofa you want to make darn sure the color and shade are correct or will coordinate.
I'm an interior designer and I agree!
So true. I was shopping for throw pillows for my sofa and came across some that clearly would work, but there were a couple I was on the fence about-which shade of blue that would work without being the exact same color as the sofa or the grossly wrong shade that wouldn't flow well. I guessed right when I was sure I'd screwed up. On the sofa, it blends so well with the sofa and other pillows. It's not a match, but the other one I had that I was considering was too close and didn't provide the right kind of shading. I just got lucky, but I love my sofa now, when before it looked completely wrong with the matchy matchy pillows I had.
Guilty of being boring! My excuses were “this is a temporary place, so why bother” and “if can’t have it all come together at once, why bother.” Big mistake. It’s better to take a leap of faith because even if it isn’t perfect, it’ll feel way more comfortable and at-home than a boring space would. Sometimes it doesn’t matter how well you do, but just that you tried.
Same here, except my excuse is "All this is going back to storage for another two or three tours. Why deal with it?"
Temporary can serve you as a great design lab. Test & tweak to see what you love.
Who else is watching this in 2024 of August👍🫶☀️you’re the best Nick💕💕💕
October 2024 :)
Would you consider doing videos where we send you pics of our rooms and tell us how we can improve them?
YES please!!!
Love this idea!
More visuals, especially from subscribers would be interesting & helpful!
This would be awesome. I want a living room to gather and enjoy, no tv. Struggling with the space layout
I love this
Another perspective on "boring" is that everyone has to start somewhere! I think it's better to start with too little than to get a whole ton of stuff just to fill the space :)
The tiny rug looks like a life raft that wasn't big enough to save all your furniture "coffee tables first!"
Good analogy! Funny but true.
Hahahaha love it!
That made me giggle...
Lol I love that!
You made me LOL for real
15:23 OMG A designer who mentioned the ecological impact of consumerism!! You just gained a subscriber for that. Thank you so much.
I think the hardest part of creating cohesive space is when you live with a partner who has completely different decor style and you can’t seem to reach compromise.
Oh wow, that does sound like a difficult situation. Yikes. I've lived with 3 partners and 4 roommates, and I'm feeling incredibly grateful right now that none of them cared about that sort of thing. It was difficult to be childfree to age 31 and then suddenly have a 5 year old living there (came with the boyfriend). Definitely a lesson in patience and boundaries. 😆
Get rid of them I did 👌
Omg yes this makes it so hard 😫 my boyfriend likes for every piece of furniture to be dark brown and clunky, the absolute total opposite of me. He wants me to move in with him soon and I told him I have to redecorate the whole place or there’s no way in hell I can live there lol it’s literally so dark in there and brown and 🤮💩 besides this he’s lovely and the best I swear lol
Compromise on rooms, my kitchen,living room and guest bathroom is up to me ,but the bedroom and bathroom is up to my husband (since no one can see it) 😁😁😁
Lol, I'm single and struggling to create cohesive space because I like so many different styles
Donating or selling unwanted, lightly used furniture is part of the whole reduce-reuse-recycle mantra! What might not work in your living might be exactly what someone else needs. It's one less piece that someone else needs to buy new.
Wise words.
And much easier than meeting with a stranger
Love this! One small caveat--if you have in your household someone with mobility issues or balance issues (or is just on the elderly side), it is not a crime to skip a rug entirely; indeed, doing so is often recommended by eldercare experts. There are other ways to soften and cohere a space!
Yes, although I don't have mobility issues, I recently spent a day at a friend's home and kept tripping over the big plush area rug. It did look good, but...
Yes. Rugs are dust and trip traps.
Allergic or asthmatic ppl can also have issues with rugs which catch dust. Sometimes a clear floor is best.
wouldn’t a rug soften their fall? like remove all hard furniture and keep rugs, lounges and ottomans, so if the elderly do fall they won’t break their rib (i’m not kidding, i am serious, elderly are highly likely to fall at some point towards the end, it may prolong their life!)
@@chloe-historyandgames Actually, according to medical advice, no. Rugs are FAR more likely to cause slips and falls, especially for those using canes or walkers. The first thing eldercare experts advise is to get rid of all rugs and carpets.
You hit the nail on the head when you said, “Some people are just scared… afraid of making a mistake.” But this was so informative and encouraging. Thank you.
I'm not scared - just cheap! LOL
Preach it, sister!
You should do a couple of videos where you “critique” people’s spaces (or just say what you would do differently… critiques might hurt feelings)! And another video where you give people advice on their specific space.
I think it’d be fun! Plus, I have a corner and a buffet/bar that I need help with hahaha
Cheers from Albuquerque, New Mexico! 😁
Great idea! 👍🏻👍🏻
Yes!!
That would be great (and let's face it, crazily funny 😂)!
Idea off of this: having people submit rooms asking for advice yo improve it. so everyone is on board for positive change!
I just thought the same thing. I’d be curious to see if he agrees with my choices or would rip me a new one. Either way I’m curious if I’m on the right track.
I love how relatable you are!!! So personable and humourous and wonderfully doable advice.
I just shared this video with my fiancé because we are renovating our house and he is very stubborn. Everything you said has described what I’ve been trying to say to him. I just don’t want to live in my house with everything looking mismatching because I will literally go insane. A lot of this stuff is quality of living. You’d be surprised on how much colors matter and shapes of things matter. I think your advice is absolutely awesome and thank you for it!
Ouch
*So, this is what I've summarized:*
1. Color combination (preferably pastel walls)
2. Harmony & cohesion
3. Layers of lighting (preferably 4000K)
4. Rugs/Carpets at least under the front legs of all sittings/sofa
5. Only keep functional items - Minimalism
6. Leave room for the air to pass around
7. Avoid undersized curtains
8. Wall hangings in the middle & eye level
9. Correctly measure furniture sizes & proportion
10. Same flooring throughout the house (same pattern & color)
11. Always store (hide) all stuffs in closed cabinets
Im very wealthy.
4000K? I don't think so.
@@sharonannelarkin9534 Yeah, I agree with you; 4000K is generally considered "bright daylight" or "cool white". Nice for a lab, garage, or sometimes kitchen & bath, where you want to see detail, color accuracy, etc... but something closer to 3300K ("warm" light) is usually preferred for softening things up, closer to a traditional incandescent bulb, that's my usual favorite for everyday life. Modern LED bulb or LED light strip solutions can usually do both, so they're optimal. I use Philips HUE and other similar products so I can have whatever suits the room, mood, or time of day.
You’re segments about the color palette and about mixing up furniture is exactly what I’ve been trying to work out, so it’s exactly what I needed today. I’m trying not to be matchy matchy and trying not to go hodgepodge too. It strikes fear and paralysis in me. Thank you for the inspiration and education that seems to have unblocked me.
Oh good! Glad it’s helpful!
Ha ha! “Fear and paralysis!” I KNOW that feeling!
Me too. Totally in the fear and paralysis place right now
*Your
@@FLdancer00 lol
"Even the dog thinks this rug is stupid" LOL! Always so funny and informative. I actually LEARN stuff from you that I want to apply. Keep it up! Love from a fellow Canadian 😊
Number 10 is totally correct. After decades, we are now clearing those items we were gifted when we were young, poor, and only too happy to have them. If I bought a 50s-60s ranch, I would decorate like Nick, very sophisticated, mid-century. Love the blues and browns! We collect Arts and Crafts pieces so we follow follow this advice: “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.”
― William Morris
Finally doing this after living in my home for 20 years with 3 kids who are now grown
Absolutely! I was like that before, more or less, but living full-time in a 30' camper has given me a whole new appreciation for that philosophy!
You articulate everything to the “amateurs” very well. You are an amazing teacher! Great video
i come for the design advice but i stay for the snark...love his channel
Design Evolution : when my partner and I first got together, we enjoyed the little MCM house, we up graded a few pieces, couch, bed, etc, but then he discovered a 19th Century Chinese vernacular furniture importer and next thing you know, my house is a Chinese restaurant. After a couple of years, I made my move back to MODERN. Now we have a blended balance of MCM Furniture and Asian and Native American Accents. Surprisingly they work well together. I'll have to drop a video.
Very interesting!
THANK YOU!!!!!
I use to be very good friends with an interior designer. When I bought my living room rug, she came in and said all your legs have to be on the rug you have to go out and buy a bigger rug. It is a beautiful hand bound rug from a local rug maker.
The front legs of my chairs and sofa are on the the rug!!
She also mortified me when in front of a group of friends, criticized the new reupholstered sofa of our friend. She rubbed her hands roughing over the fabric and was able to move it a bit.
“Your upholsterer did a terrible job! You need to make him redo it!”
The sofa looked beautiful.
Thankfully, the designer moved away.
I'm guilty of too much colour, and have to be mindful that what I love can be a tad overwhelming. I think the matchy-matchy is often a result of being eager to finish the room and not having patience to curate it over time.
When i styled our family room about 3 years ago, we used grey primarily. Grey carpet, walls, curtain, but it made it very sore on the eyes to walk into a room with just grey. We have really wide windows and we changed to white sheer curtains and changing the area rug to off white and WOW, it totally changed the mood
What about some colours to give life to the room, a vase, candles and some pillows in the same colours in the sofa eara‼️If everything are beige and grey it's boring, things needs a contrast‼️
I have a grey based family room and i put the rug that is a red wine sort of color, it really lifts up the space and it looks pretty good ☺️
Grey, white, beige black are neutrals. Which means they can all be used with ANY color but not primarily alone. Look at the colors Mother Nature uses. She does not make mistakes!
Great advice here! I think ultimately we just want to create a living space that WE feel comfortable in. The color scheme, furniture and rugs are all part of the solution to the issue.
I love you, Nick. I love how you are so kind and give your advice in as non-judgmental a way as you can. I am NOT creative so it is hard for me to put together a cohesive look and I feel like your channel has helped me conceptualize how to put my decor together. Love your channel!
"It's 2021, time is meaningless", LOL. Excellent summary of the past 2 years.
Hoy! We are horrible about keeping things we no longer like. Thank you for these great tips-- I've got work to do!
@N D My issue of keeping things is it seems like I've wasted money. I'm not wanting minimalism... but I definitely need to go in that direction.
@@TheDenisedrake Marie Kondo who helps ppl to declutter and get rid of things in their home, she said we shall sit wt our items in our hands and ask, does it sparks joy❓If the answer is no, get rid of it‼️She's at Netflix ‼️
@@tovenrvik6336 Yes, her book is awesome. I've been able to Kondo my clothes, but need to get after my books.
I've had some luck rearranging and repurposing. If an item just isn't doing it for you in its current space, can it be moved? I think we get stuck sometimes because we're married to the idea of "x furniture belongs in x room." If you can't use it ANYwhere in your home, then sell or donate it.
I just discovered this channel and I’ve learnt so much! You’re so engaging and honest 😊
My wife and I recently sold our first home and took possession of our new build. Thank you so much for your videos! They've been incredibly helpful!!
Congratulations! It must be exciting
Congratulations! Good luck on the new build!
This video has made me realize how much effort and love it takes to make a space feel cohesive. It makes me feel better about my home always being an evolving work in progress. Most times when I try to find something for my space I get a bit discouraged but I'm starting to understand why. Great video, needed this!
I love this advice!!! Your words reassure my taste in decor style.
My biggest mistake was listening to others opinions whose tastes were way off from mine. Often times I found myself trying to have approval of my in-laws, who love traditional and matchy matchy looks. I would never feel happy with my space. Once I stopped listening to them and started using my personal tastes and creativity, I finally have a space I love! It's slowly coming together to fit my vision ❤
I like the way you speak. You're being honest yet not judgmental. Feels like I'm talking to a helpful friend. Thanks, Nick.
Greetings from Egypt!
Love this video. I have heard all those words before but the pictures really tied it all together for me. I have definetly pushed my couch up against the wall mainly because I have worried about the space behind the couch but I think I got that figured out now. Thanks Nick for a great video.
Many moons ago (80's) I bought a quasi matching bedroom set that I so regret! I vowed never to repeat that mistake! My family room now has an eye level TV media cabinet. A vintage storage truck as a side table, an ottoman coffee table with 3 free standing chairs and a large neutral linen couch under a set of lovely windows. I love the linen drapes, and deep seating couch with some fun pillows in different hues of peacock blue, rust and gold. As you move through the space to the dining area, the peacock melts into navy blue, gold melts into a gorgeous yellow and the rust shows up in rich wood toned dining set. The same is true for my living room and library. One color hue begets another color hue. My spaces feel cohesive with different hues of color running through the rooms. It feels inviting, comfortable, approachable, yet very well curated. Loved this video, now I just need to get rid of the matchy matchy bedroom set!
...when you have friends again.😉
The photos of high tv's made me laugh out loud.
I was about to commit the single color repeat mistake in a new living room I'm working on. What a relief to not be relegated to one hue, because it's proven very hard to match that color. Thanks for a great video with practicable ideas. Think I've found my new go-to ID channel.
I was going to make that mistake, but circumstance corrected it for me. I really like antiques, and it’s really hard to find two antique pieces that are exactly the same shade, so I had to get varying shades.
My family room is painted a medium grey color, I have black leather furniture, black tables, and five large colorful paintings hanging one the walls. And a cat tree. It only took me 25 years to finally be happy with the space.
8:12 I LOVE how you specifically highlight accessibility of living spaces and considering different body types and ways of moving. Thanks for insisting that true style is inclusive and ideally, universal. 🤟🏼
Just had to say I’ve been binging your channel and learning SO much!! Thank you for being such a wealth of information 💛
He’s so fun! 😎👍
Oh great! Thanks so much!
Nick! You are both very knowledgeable and engaging. I've learned a lot from you. Thank you. Also, thank you for all the times you point out where people with mobility issues might have a problem. My parents now are dealing with such issues, so I am more aware of them than I have been in the past. I love you for noting them.
The best things about your videos, your ability to take a subject, get to the point right away, make it easy to understand AND your sense of humour. If I’m feeling a little down or out of sorts, I re-watch your videos because you make me laugh with your uplifting personality. By the end of a video I’m laughing out loud. It brightens my day seeing you’ve released a new video. Thank you 🙏
Lighting! Yes to ambient lighting! An overhead light makes me feel like I’m in a horror film, inducing a panic sensation.
I'm a big fan of lamps. We have overhead light fixtures, but I don't like using them because it makes the room too bright.
Plus lamps can add decorative interest if you get cool ones. I have vintage wood and brass table lamps in my living room.
I'm in need of some lamp help! I've never shopped for lamps before but I think my living room is too dim. Any recommendations?
Lamps are one of the more practical items to source affordably from secondhand shops.
It isn't difficult to replace the socket and cord if they're worn, and shades can be sourced separately online.
Ebay and Etsy are also useful resources, and you can get some great deals with Ebay auctions -- just never bid for auction on something you aren't okay with possibly being outbid on. If you can't live without it, stick to Buy It Now so you aren't tempted.
Useful keywords may include: vintage, original, antique, midcentury, mod. Also the materials (e.g., brass, wood, lucite, acrylic, marble) if you have something specific in mind. With Ebay you can also load an image to search for similar items, at least you can on their mobile app, so if you go gaga for something on Pinterest, you can save it and use it to browse more effectively.
I do not understand using overhead lights in living rooms or bedrooms!!! So harsh and uninviting!! I have lamps everywhere.
I love lamp
I love love that way you were talking and the details you gave. You were very respectful, and sensitive and you are the only person that were able to talk about all these mistakes that we all do without hurting anybody, or insulting anybody. I appreciate that. You are aswome 👏
My biggest mistake was buying really dark furniture for a small place with little natural light. Not only did it feel like I was living in a cave but I haaaaaate seeing dust on my table or shelves. Never buying black, shiny furniture again lol. Can't work from home if I see any dust nowadays. And as it was my first students appartement it pretty much looked like a stacked Ikea showroom. I'm really into Oriental interior design mixed with some boho touch and I love japanese artwork. So I'll try to decorate my future appartement with more beige, yellow, orange colours with some rattan, bamboos elements with a lot of plants. I will definetely not overload my appartement with too much and dark furniture again.
best thing about furniture, is that it can be painted! that dark furniture can be flipped and refreshed and BRIGHTENED with a nice coat of bright paint. I agree with the dust showing so easily on dark furniture! but I jus love black and dark walnut so much lol
You can just paint the black furnitures in a bright colour, paint is cheap‼️Dark furnitures are heavy and depressive, bright up your home, black is a colour that's recommended to be a contrast in homes, but to much of it is to much‼️
Spraycolours are easy to change things wt, in a hurry, but cover your hair, do it in cellar or outside‼️
You can put a cloth cover over your tables in any color you want.
@@triciac1019 Yes, it can brighter up a bit‼️
Your advice is very valuable and timely. What you say about the color palette and the styles of the furniture makes me feel very identified, since I've always thought that knowing how to apply contrasts is where creativity lies and where one can experiment to innovate. Right now, I have a Le Corbusier LC3 Sofa from Manhattan Home Design and my wife and I want to add throw pillows to it with eye-catching designs and bold colors that contrast nicely with its sober black leather upholstery. Contrasting colors and styles is one of the things I like the most about the minimalist eclectic style. Thanks a ton for these tips!
When we got our house, it was a gut job, so we started from scratch with new electric, plumbing, etc. We put recessed can lights with dimmers all through our house and we love having the ability to change the lighting by mood, time of day etc.
Thank you for this video. As I listened to. You I looked around my room and for the first time, I felt good about what I have (and don’t have) in this room. I have colors, woods, textures, interest, and space. It is warm and inviting. It has things to look at. I have three levels of lighting and each level has a different tone of light. It is functional and elegant. Thank you for making me feel good about my space. Now…..for the rest of the house!
I have a matching bedroom set and I like the matchy-Machy look. Everything toes together perfectly. Before that I had mismatch furniture that was lovely as well but my ex-boyfriend took it when he walked out. I’m usually operating on things that I’ve been handed down or found for a very low cost so when I got a tax return and got my matching bedroom set I was so excited.
Agreed!! I personally LOVE and PREFER for my furniture pieces to match. I'm also OCD about certain things, so that may have something to do with it.
Your ex-boyfriend took your furniture?!
@@AvecPoesie no he took his own furniture that was traditional style mixed with my IKEA stuff. It didn’t match but I liked having the storage that his dresser supplied. That’s why I decided to upgrade my bedroom set with my tax return and made everything match!
Well done, you! As a fashion designer, I am singing from a similar design hymnal, as yourself. We are educating our clients to have a sense of style, elegance and fun with their outer expressions. Cheering for you!
Great video. These reminders make us all take a second look at our spaces. My fall goal is to invite a friend in to look at my space with new eyes. I might not agree with them but it will give me "food for thought."
Great video about a room thats so important to get right. When we downsized and bought a small one floor home the focal point in the LR was a floor to ceiling picture window that overlooks the woods.
There is no furniture or curtains on or near that window. You can clearly see outside from the couch and the single recliners swivel either toward the window, the TV or the couch for conversation. Learned from 2 previous houses and many design mistakes!!
Love this video! I'm designing my living room now and this was perfect timing. I struggle with figuring out how to decorate the walls - could you maybe speak to this in an upcoming video? How to pick wall art/decorate walls.
I think I just found a winter hobby: binge watch this channel then spend my fall and winter redecorating!
This guy's the man. Thank you sir for the positive vibe to the channel and the helpful advice. You've brought immense validation to my ten year old daughter's impatient critiques of my furnishings. God bless, ~Mike
I love that you look into the camera as if you are talking to me.
And I love that you show lots of examples. I feel like I am taking a design class. Thanks!
I am guilty of the too small rug! Mostly because we moved and we haven’t gotten around to getting a new one yet. But I agree!!! I need a larger rug!!! It looks so weird! Hahaha
Yes! You’ve only got the 2 options!
😂 love that you own up to you’re guilty mistake and can laugh about it. Sometime those smalls things don’t make the priority list.
What a great video, I especially liked the last tip. We are in the process of building our first house, and TBH I keep looking at my furniture and realizing it reflects the old me - single, no kids, living in an apartment downtown. I now have a kid, plan to live in the suburbs, I work from home, and I want something that reflects my life today.
I am on the brink of moving to a new apartment and I am going to be applying this advice to the best of my ability. Right now I have almost exclusively second hand furniture that I can’t afford to replace but I’m going to be putting in more lighting levels and try to keep a color pallet of some kind for any new things I bring in. Honestly it’s just going to be a hot mess but a slightly more educated hot mess thanks to this channel XD
I moved into my first “all mine” apartment last March. It’s just about starting to look cohesive and quite cozy! Best part? Most things coming in were bought secondhand, never cost over $20, and a lot was even from next to the trash. I couldn’t afford a bunch of new things, but it’s been so fun being on the hunt over Facebook marketplace. Best of luck to you with your new place! I’m sure you will love it!
As an architect engineer, I agree with you. Some points don't go straight into architecture, such as "keep things that you don't like", but all the rest is true.
When I design a home, I must know where the furniture will be, where the TV is going to be place, how the space is going to be lighted. I can't just throw an empty space and say "hey, here's your living room, put every furniture as you like".
I've not seen much of your videos, but I'm sure they're pretty handful. You got a new subscriber, Nick.
Our friend “ the boob light” keeps making its way back into nick’s videos loool
I’m on a mission to rid the world of every boob light! So I’ll keep showing him! Haha
@@Nick_Lewis I bought a boob light recently... but it's installed in my shoe and boot closet, out of sight... sorry!
I saw them in Home Depot the other day and wondered wtf they're still made.
Management company replaced the vintage ceiling light in my apt with that exact boob light, claiming it was done to save electricity. Need to figure out some way to cover it up!! Wonder if a paper lantern might fit over it, while leaving the fixture intact.
I'm medicine student during my free time I watch your videos they are amazing and informative. I have learnt so much about interior designe from your videos 😍 thanks for your effort and tips 💕
Thank you for this. It’s my FAVE of all of your videos this far. Can you do a video about best ways to deal with a large wall on which the tv is hung, such as flanking it with art pieces, book shelves on either side, etc.? Maybe a video on choosing colors to pull from in a Persian rug -in a neutral boring room-adding pizzazz to that room. Asking for a friend ;) Thanks for your excellent content Nick. ✌️
Lately I have seen pictures of rooms where they have a huge t.v., say 70” wide, sitting on a 48” wide cabinet.
It looks so weird to me, like the tiny rug in a large room.
When he mentioned TV's, I immediately thought of "TV is too big for the room." Too many people buy the biggest TV for the money, but there is a correct size TV for the distance between the sofa and the screen. If it's too big, you can't actually see everything on the screen at the same time.
This is probably (definitely?) a design no-no, but about 10 or so years ago we got rope lights to put up for Christmas. We liked them so much that we ended up putting them around the ceiling in the LR & DR for just enough ambient lighting for night time. We recently upgraded them to ones with a remote that can change color and they are awesome.
We have some around our kitchen cabinets 😅 it's really great for feeding the baby in the middle of the night and gives us that glow that we can't install in a rental.
I have some in my living room. I love them! I think it’s fine to have stuff like that if you really love it, even if it is a faux pas or “no no.”
@@melfree2545 That's really it, isn't it? Do what YOU want, not what someone else wants. You are the one who lives there.
If it works for you, and makes you happy, it's not a no-no 😊❤
But rope lights are so college dormy. You could get a similar effect with a bar light fixture with different LED mini-lamps on it that you can aim in different directions. That would look amazing and less tacky but still provide the lighting you want. If you can have them installed on walls, sconces also fill that need with ambient lighting for watching TV or feeding a baby in the middle of the night. You can also get pin-up lamps for a cozy cabin feel.
There’s a reason your channel has grown so fast. Your videos are really great and your personality is awesome. Loved this!
Excited for this series, would love one on the bathroom! Struggling with how to make rugs and the shower curtain work, without being a hodgepodge or too monochrome.
“If you’re like this looking up at your television...it’s too high. Case closed” 😆. The truth! Absolutely love it!
Lmao, I wish I had a house big enough to follow studio McGee sitting room idea. 58 sqm apt won't accommodate more than one couch and one armchair.
Good thing I have very few friends to host.
Yes same for me in my apartment!
@@Nick_Lewis My armchair is actually a designer piece from the 70s called Falcon Lounge chair from Sigurd Resell I got from my grandparents house. You can be my 6th friend and sit on that.
Yea right. Two couches. That's a big room.
So glad I found your video. You're the guy we need! Will start watching religiously but if you're in my area, do drop by. We need people like you to help us! You're very good!
Hey Nick! I'd love to know how you'd recommend decorating with personal/family photos. I shy away from decorating with pictures of our family, especially ones that are formal shots, because it feels like it clashes with our minimal decor. I'd love any recs you have on how and where I can put these back into my life!!
Narrow frames with large mats have a very minimalist look
Thank you for the good & bad photo examples.
I’m a visual learner and have recently been told shades of the same color are best yet in my mind it should all be the same color but as soon as you shared photos I instantly understood.
This is a masterclass in design information and I’ll be back again to review it!
thank you for highlighting accessibility and mobility, important for practicality/inclusion and for design aesthetic ✊
I LOVED this video. Thank you, Nick. It's so satisfying to hear you say 'No, No, No.' to all the things that irk me!!!
Excellent informative video Nick. In my situation I think my design choices specifically hinge on budget and available cash. For instance, I’ve picked “safe” ( i.e. browns) colors and fabrics for longevity. For us, because we have cats, we have throws on the chairs. Anyway, thanks for all the great advice.
I do the same. Also if I plan on re-selling I want it to be neutral for the new owners. When I first bought my place and remodeled it I had great dreams of grandeur and really eclectic tastes but people were telling me to tone it down and now I love it & thankful because I add accents to insert new color schemes as I wish.
Oh Nick, thank you so much! My living room is really small and everything is too close together. I have been really fretting about it because I need more lighting and there is NO space for it. The conundrum has been that the living room does not have its own walls - my dining room, living room, and entry way all share space but my living room in particular has manifested as just this small box in the corner. I have been blaming the couch, which is huge, for limiting the space but this video gave me an "ah-ha!" moment. My (temporary) hand-me-down rug is actually the space limiting factor. My rug is not as long as the space permits and as a result the entry-way is about double the depth it needs to be and the living room is about 2/3 the length it should be. Thank you!!!
Your segments are compact, brimming with great advice and comical 😂! I never miss an episode!
I love how kindly and softly you convey all of this information. You aren't rude or trying to put anyone down and I really appreciate that 😊
Did we watch the same video? "Even the dog thinks it's stupid" is not exactly kind and diplomatic.
Can you do a video on rugs? I have no idea what size should be used for different spaces. I bought a 10x12 for under my king bed but I'm not sure what direction is the best. I ended up going for what I liked but is there a good "rule" for how many inches should be outside the furniture? I'm having the same problem in my living room. Does the furniture sit on top the rug or around it? What about rugs under dining tables? Or when to use runners? I hope that makes sense.
I did a rug video a couple of months ago that should help!
@@Nick_Lewis omg, I must've missed it. I thought I've seen all your videos. Love them. I'll go back and try to find it. Thanks!
I heard that in the living room, the front 2 legs of the couch should be on the rug.
Edit: he says it in this video too!
The way you make the elements and principles of design so accessible and the way you are showing the real world utility of them is amazing, thank you!
How I make things feel cohesive - enjoy something in the store that's in a similar color or style and then see if I can make it work in my space haha. Probably not the best/most efficient but I usually pick things up when I'm not actually out looking for things.
Color pallet is SO Important! I wish more people not using a designer or decorator would learn to use a color wheel. Use the opposite color for contrast, use various shades of the main color (as Nick said). Learning color theory will make your entire life easier. This was a great video thank you Nick! ♥️✌🏼
Sometimes a rug is not an option because of allergies. I'd love to see options that would accommodate a cozy and curated living room without a rug!
I have a postage stamp, round Jute rug under my rectangular coffee table by the sectional. A designers nightmare! LOL I think it looks great. The rest of my floors are bare with some runners. On the windows that I have blinds on, I don’t put curtains. I don’t think we need all these extra fabrics!
So many people need to listen to your suggested tv height!!! The flat screen mounted on too high mantels is everywhere.
Bravo! Good tips. I need help with the wall behind my couch. Everything else in my living room is looking great, but I have this big blank wall that I’m wanting to be the focal point of my cozy/zen/boho room. If all else fails, I will put up a piece of art, but, can you do a video on wall decor ideas, besides gallery walls?
How about painting that wall a different color? Or using limewash paint on just that wall? 😅
maybe some kind of tapestry could work for your space
@@paulowniacourt Great tip! Thank you 😊
@@gnubaum9768 Wow, never thought about a tapestry, would work well with my theme. Thanks! 😊
Patterned wallpaper is an option too. I have a big wall behind my couch and I'm planning on putting up a big, interestingly shaped mirror above a couple of shelves for plants and objets!
Love this video. As you are talking, I’m gazing around my living room. Mostly, I’m following the rules. But, I do love my matcha match furniture that is up against the wall. The end tables vary in in height and shape. Lamps are different sizes and heights. But my furniture works out well for me and my 2 little dogs and 3 grandchildren. I have a large rug and use different shades of blues and grays throughout the space. My tv is not too high. So I think I’m doing some things right and some things “wrong” but most of all, my space should be warm, cozy and inviting. I love being here ☺️💕
I've been looking at houses to rent. In the period of two weeks, I have seen multiple rent houses come online with a beautiful kitchen that is too small for an island so instead, they place a very narrow, wooden rectangular table in the middle and put a fruit bowl on it. It is ridiculous. Usually, it's a wider galley kitchen and the so-called "island" doesn't match the rest of the kitchen. They place a fruit bowl on it for the photo but in reality, that table is too narrow to really use in a kitchen, you can't sit around it and it makes it hard to get around it. It seems to be a thing people do these days when they want an island but their kitchen is not the right shape for it.
One for the bathroom: I recently went to a vacation cottage where the young lady had put patterned tile stickers above the bathroom sink to look like there were these decorated tiles. But they were stickers... The stickers were good quality so they really created the tile look but the thing is; once you notice it's a sticker and not a real tile, you can't unsee that, the fancy decor illusion is ruined forever.
I just finished decorating a new living room. I know nothing about decorating but I carefully took two years to pick furniture, lighting, and rugs. I did not violate any of your guidelines and really like the results. Thanks for the confirmation.
The colour variation point was quite helpful. I know not to have multiple large items in the exact same colour, but I was still thinking I should repeat the exact same colour throughout the room for cohesion. I can see now in your "good" example why shade variation looks nicer. Thanks!
I don't do interior design, my room barely fits a desk, sofa and bed. I still love these videos. I don't know, it feels like listening to a person who is super passionate and knowledgable about this specific subject and yeah, I like that
"You're better than this" made me laugh so hard
Same!
I felt so honored that Nick clearly knows me so well... LoL
I watch your videos all the time, and I think this is one of your better ones. I really like what you said about not having everything up against the wall. Everything about this video made absolute sense. Thanks so much. You have given me much to think about.
You should do a series analyzing other interior designers and what elements or qualities make up their design styles. Please do Athena Calderone!