Seven Top Interior Design Secrets Revealed
November 2023
Your home should both support your family’s lifestyle and desired aesthetic. An interior designer can help you choose a theme, from an updated traditional style to one of today’s most enviable trends, like modern farmhouse, California coastal or Scandinavian style. No matter what look you love, there are some tricks for completing your design and giving it the designer-approved seal. Learn about how this is accomplished as we give a behind the scenes look at interior designers biggest secrets, and the must-have elements of a beautifully designed home.
1. Space planning is an ART Form - Whether you have an expansive, open-concept place, or a small urban dwelling, a good interior designer can help you get the most out of the space you have available by providing a working floor plan that suits each individual and their space. Some considerations may include: furniture that is the right scale for the space, so that your room will look balanced and be functional for your needs. For large spaces, furnishings, accent pieces and area rugs may be grouped to create distinct areas for your daily activities, like dining, conversation and relaxing. For small spaces, multi-purpose furniture may be used to support different functions throughout the day and convert to take on a new task as needed.
2. Traditions Play a Role - How you live should be a key consideration of your design, as it dictates how you like to use your space. The design of a room and the furniture that works best in your space will differ, whether you enjoy hosting large Sunday dinners with family and friends and need a casual dining set to take center stage, or host formal gatherings and require a traditional entertaining set-up. Family practices and traditions should always be incorporated into designs, and a home should be structured so that it helps you have a valuable, more fulfilling life.
3. Customization is Key - No one lives a cookie cutter life, so it only makes sense that what works in one house won’t fully suit another family's needs and interests. An interior designer can help show you furnishings and accent pieces with custom order options that will make your space feel truly curated towards your wishes and style. The possibilities are essentially endless, with custom order options including sizes, materials, finishes, and styles.
4. Sustainability is a Natural Design Practice - It’s true that trends come and go. However, when you invest the time and money into creating a one-of-a-kind home interior that you’ll love, you want something that will stay in style for years to come. Sustainability is something that should come naturally to interior designers. Many top vendors offer sustainable options, including materials that come from certified sources, and sustainable practices that cut down on waste. Beyond this, the practice of investing in high-quality furniture that will last for years and–in some cases–generations to come cuts back on waste and can even save you money over time. Classic pieces can be refreshed with new accessories to keep offering a current look and make sure you don’t tire of your space.
5. Lighting is HUGE - It may not be the thing that catches your eye first, but it’s one element that every designer knows the importance of. Lighting can direct your eye throughout a space. It can directly impact the mood of a room, and it can take a design from dreary to bright. Whether it be task, decorative or ambient, lighting is so important to a space. An interior designer will make sure every room has enough lighting, starting with strategies to enhance the natural lighting of a room, and including the addition of hanging light fixtures, floor and table lamps that are not just practical, but can be beautiful accent pieces in themselves.
6. Texture. Texture. Texture! Color and pattern may grab your attention as soon as you walk into a room, but it’s hard to overstate the value of texture in giving a room a finished, high-end look. Texture is especially important in neutral, monochromatic spaces, offering some versatility and interest. You can add textures through the addition of an area rug, accent pillows, and throw blankets. Mixed media accent pieces and accessories also bring easy texture into a space.
7. Every Space needs a little Whimsy - A successful design shouldn’t be too serious. There’s room for some playfulness, even in elegant and sophisticated rooms. Whether it's a little leopard print or a unique accessory, a whimsical element can help balance your space and–even more importantly–bring a smile to the faces of yourself and your guests. Make sure it’s something you truly love that will add some personality along with enhanced style.
SURPRISE #8: The Element of Surprise - Here’s an unexpected eighth secret of successful interior designers: surprise! Each space should be well thought out. Interior designers think of small details and don’t leave things to chance. A memorable room should have some unique pieces. For instance, an unusual art piece, hidden storage solutions, or unexpected texture built into the space can make your room feel even more special.
An interior designer can bring passion and experience to your project, whether it’s a new build, a redesign, or simply refreshing a room or two in your home. By using their vast industry knowledge and getting to know your specific requirements, likes and dislikes, they can create a space that will exceed your expectations. The use of these design strategies–secret, or not–can elevate your home and make it into something you are proud to live in and show off to your loved ones and guests.
