Jennifer Sheahan: The interior design mistakes to avoid

From measurements to lighting and from paint to rugs, being design savvy can help you save money in the long run

Ensure rugs extend at least under the front legs of all surrounding furniture. Picture: Moya Nolan

In a previous column I wrote about the most common renovation mistakes I see people making — from not creating a realistic budget to designing for form over function. These mistakes can be costly, and so they’re important for you to be aware of so that you don’t get stung with an avoidable expense.

When it comes to the really exciting part of renovating — the decorating — the mistakes can be less expensive, as they are more easily fixed. It’s not hard to swap out a couch, compared to replacing windows.