I’m an interiors pro – design mistakes that are boring and have no personality, you don’t want to be too ‘precious’
A DESIGN expert has revealed the common decorating trends she wants people to stop following.
She said they ruin opportunity to have fun personalizing your living space, and make it feel like a display instead of an authentic home.
According to her: “Real estate staging is not real life.”
In a recent TikTok video, designer and television art director TykaPryde (@tykapryde) wasted no time getting into specifics.
She said: “Professional designer here. Please stop treating your homes like store showrooms.”
The expert pointed to a book display, where the items were set up to keep the titles out of view.
She said that styling like this shouldn’t be replicated because it isn’t intended to be practical.
“Anytime you see styling where the books are turned around, it’s usually for commercial use,” she said.
“They don’t have permission to show the book title, so they’ll turn the book around.”
She then pointed to a minimal shelf display with various decor pieces, all in varying shades of white and beige.
“Anytime you see really boring and bland styling like this, it’s often for real estate staging,” said the professional designer.
“They’re specifically designed to be boring and to have no personality so that anyone can envision themselves living in that house.”
TykaPryde said that these aren’t decor styles worth emulating and that your home should reflect you, even if it’s “neutral and minimal.”
She continued: “Your home decor should show and say something about you and who you are.
“Shelves were meant to be functional and they should serve a purpose. They should be filled with things that reflect who you are.”
The design pro also suggested displaying objects with sentimental value since they’re not just tied to an aesthetic goal.
Still, she added: “Even if you want to stick to one style or aesthetic, you don’t want to be too precious when it comes to styling.
“Successful interior design at its best is a reflection of how we want to show up in the world, and it says something about who we are.
“You want people to walk in and say, this is so you. This feels like you.”
Commenters agreed with TykaPryde, and shared their appreciation for her point of view.
“Love this. It encourages freedom of expression, which people often miss in their stylings,” said one person.
“You make the best interior design videos. Such good POV, and also accessible and applicable!” wrote another impressed viewer.