3 INTERIOR DESIGN MISTAKES

April 20, 2018

Solutions to the Challenges Many Homeowners Face with Interior Design

Getting the interior done on your home can be challenging, but also rewarding. Everyone knows the best-laid plans don’t always turn out right, which can be frustrating, especially when you are working on your largest investment. Many of those costly mistakes can be mitigated by taking advantage of the complimentary interior design services available when you purchase your furniture from Fenton Home Furnishings.

Their complimentary interior design services aren’t just about one specific style. Theyʼre about the freedom to create your own personal style, with the help of a qualified design professional, to make sure you get everything perfect. With over 50 name brands to choose from, and industry resources available to customize almost anything you can dream up, Fenton Home Furnishings’ interior design team will create a look even better than you can imagine!

Furniture at Fenton Home Furnishings


“Working with an interior designer at Fenton Home Furnishings allows me to help those who otherwise might not be able to afford the services of a professional interior designer,” explains designer Maria Schumacher.

A couple perks to having a qualified interior designer is that you are going to get the right furniture for your space; select the correct fabrics, flooring and paint to complement one another; stay on budget and time; and have access to many resources that would normally be unavailable to you.

Everyone has a different home due to natural lighting, windows, architecture and how they personally need their home to function. “I always visit my clients’ homes to get a feel for what their lifestyle is and what look and function they are looking to achieve,” explains Kim Kumrits, designer for over 20 years, who started out her career studying to be an architect. “This initial visit will allow me to make decisions on how to blend the different elements in the home with the clients’ needs and create a proper balance, proportion and harmony within their space.”

“The number one mistake made when people purchase furniture for their home is choosing furniture that is the wrong scale for the space,” explains Kumrits. “Furniture can be very expensive, so when you have a plan, that can minimize or eliminate costly mistakes.”

Not everyone has an easy time envisioning what a finished room will look like, so the designers at Fenton Home Furnishings can create multiple options for a room. In some cases, they will even create beautiful design boards for you to help envision your new space.

“By creating multiple furniture arrangement options, my clients who enjoy moving their furniture around every year can have different plans which work and change the look of their room using the furniture they bought,” she says.

The second mistake most people make when designing a room is selecting their paint color first. “Paint color should be the last item selected when designing your space. There are millions of different paint options, thousands of flooring options and only hundreds of fabric selections. So start with your fabrics,” Kumrits explains. “Or if there is a special piece of artwork the room is going to be incorporating, it’s important to take that into consideration from the beginning.”

Budget is the third mistake, or failure to disclose your budget. This is always a tough topic to talk about, but the designers at Fenton Home Furnishings will work within your budget so that the finishing touches and accessories can all be worked into the overall price. The designers really focus on the lifestyle of the individuals, which allows the finished room to be functional and fashionable in their home. “I find this part very rewarding because I am able to wrangle and coordinate all the little details while keeping an eye on the big picture and their budget,” explains Schumacher.


Furniture at Fenton Home Furnishings

“A well-established focal point, draperies, blinds, creative lighting, colors, textures and balance all contribute to that ‘wow’ factor my clients are looking to achieve,” says Kumrits. “I call it ‘fashion for your home,’ meaning, you can’t just stop at the big furniture pieces. You need to accessorize properly with all the accent pieces to get the finished look.”

From blueprints to existing spaces, it’s never too early or too late to meet with one of the designers at Fenton Home Furnishings. “We even have special pricing for design clients which allows them to stretch their budget even further and cover those special accessories needed to finish off the space,” says Kumrits.

Stop into one of their four locations – Fenton, Frankenmuth, Lapeer and Waterford – or call to schedule a meeting with a qualified interior designer to get started on your project today!

WWW.FENTONHOMEFURNISHINGS.COM
FENTON | (810) 629-0650 | 1136 N. Leroy St. | Fenton, MI 48430
FRANKENMUTH | (989) 652-0800 | 360 S. Main St. | Frankenmuth, MI 48734
LAPEER | (810) 667-4553 | 2048 N. Lapeer Rd. | Lapeer, MI 48446
WATERFORD | (248) 623-6831 5321 Dixie Hwy. | Waterford, MI 48329

Bring Your Brand Into the Light: Why Solar Ink Makes Promotional Products Stand Out

June 9, 2026
In a world full of branded merchandise, it takes something different to capture attention and make a lasting impression. That’s where Solar Ink comes in. SolarPro Ink is a unique printing technique that keeps your design nearly invisible indoors. Once exposed to sunlight or UV light, the graphic suddenly appears in full color. It feels unexpected, interactive, and memorable.
Four decorated drink cans and a black sneaker lined up on a black table against a white wall.

Koozies: Incredibly Practical Promo for Summer and Beyond

June 8, 2026
Koozies are versatile promotional items for events. Enhance your brand visibility with custom designs. Contact us for options!

Raised Embroidery Sweatshirts: Adding Dimension, Texture, and Impact to Your Brand

May 8, 2026
When it comes to promotional apparel, the details really do matter. One of the best ways to elevate a sweatshirt or hoodie is through raised embroidery, a technique that gives logos a bold, dimensional look you can see and feel. We recently created a custom zip-up hoodie for the Maryville Retreat Center using raised embroidered logo detailing. The result was a piece that didn’t just display their brand, it brought it to life through texture and craftsmanship. For Maryville Retreat Center, the goal was to create apparel that felt welcoming, durable, and aligned with their mission. The raised embroidered zip-up hoodie achieved that balance, offering a clean design with just enough texture to make it feel special. It works well for staff, volunteers, and guests, making it both functional and meaningful. What Is Raised Embroidery? Raised embroidery, sometimes called 3D or puff embroidery, uses specialized stitching and sometimes a foam base to lift parts of a design off the fabric. Instead of lying flat like print, the logo stands up from the garment, creating depth and texture. It’s a simple technique that instantly makes apparel feel more premium and intentional. Why Raised Embroidery Works So Well It elevates the look and feel Raised embroidery adds instant dimension, which naturally makes apparel feel higher quality. Even simple logos look more refined when they have texture and depth. It creates a strong first impression Because the design physically stands off the garment, it catches light differently and stands out without needing bold colors or oversized artwork. It’s built to last Embroidery is stitched into the fabric, not sitting on top of it. That means no peeling or cracking over time, even with regular wear and washing. It works especially well on hoodies and sweatshirts Heavier fabrics like fleece hold embroidery well, allowing the raised stitching to stay clean and structured. It helps strengthen brand recognition A textured logo becomes more noticeable and memorable, helping your brand stand out in everyday settings. Raised embroidery turns apparel into something people actually notice and remember. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference in how your brand is perceived. 

Capturing the Story of Epic Machine Through Professional Photography

May 8, 2026
Showcasing a Michigan Manufacturing Company Through Professional Photography

Premium Items Are a Meaningful Investment for Your Team

May 5, 2026
Not all promotional products are the same, and that is a good thing. Different goals call for different types of items. Sometimes a simple, cost-effective giveaway works perfectly. Other times, a higher-end product creates a more meaningful experience. We recently worked with Interactive Training Systems to create custom embroidered Carhartt cooler backpacks as a gift for their employees. This is a great example of how thoughtful promotional products can elevate a brand and strengthen team connection.

Intentional Branding in Action: A Logo Design for Interactive Training Systems

May 5, 2026
In industries like engineering, manufacturing, and automotive, innovation never slows down. The companies that stand out are always thinking about what comes next. That mindset should show up not just in what you do, but in how you present your brand. We recently partnered with Interactive Training Systems to create a logo design that reflects both where they have been and where they are going. The end result is a modern brand identity that supports their continued growth. Why Intentional Branding Matters A logo is often the first impression your business makes. It should quickly communicate who you are and what you stand for. For companies in technical industries, that means finding the right balance. Your branding needs to feel modern and forward-thinking, while still showing experience and credibility. Every detail plays a role, from typography to color to overall style. A strong logo helps build trust, show expertise, and set you apart from competitors. A Thoughtful Approach to Logo Design Interactive Training Systems came to us looking for a logo that captured both their history and their future. As a company focused on technical training and innovation, it was important that their brand felt precise, smart, and adaptable. We started by getting a clear understanding of their business, their audience, and their goals. From there, we explored concepts that included: Clean, modern lines to show forward movement Subtle technical elements tied to engineering and manufacturing A polished look that reinforces trust The final design feels current, while still staying true to their foundation. Branding That Grows With You Your brand should evolve as your business grows. Too often, companies treat logo design as a one-time project, but it should be something that supports you long-term. This new logo gives Interactive Training Systems a strong foundation for what is ahead. It reflects innovation while still respecting their history, which is key in an industry like theirs. Why the Right Partner Makes a Difference Good branding comes from collaboration. It is about working with a team that listens, understands your vision, and knows how to bring it to life. At Behind Your Design, that is always the goal. We focus on creating branding that not only looks good, but actually works for your business. If your current branding no longer reflects where you are headed, it might be time for a refresh. The right logo can make a bigger impact than you think.
Show More