Interior Design Rules of Thumb You Should Stick By

Decorating your home can be difficult, from color pallet to furniture, decor, and lighting there are so many elements to consider. You’ve probably heard the saying that you must first know the rules before you can break them, and although we love the thought of tossing design rules out the window, there are a few guidelines to make decorating your space a little easier. Whether you are decorating a condo in Portland, OR, or a large home in Denver, CO there are basic rules to follow to help you bring all your interior design dreams to life. Few know this better than these expert interior designers who have made it their mission to transform an empty space into an inspiring and unique home, check out what they had to say.

Create a focal point

A well-designed home is a mix of layers, texture, and color working together to tell your story. One of the most important ways to start that story in any space is by creating a focal point. Prior to using my services, I often see clients make the mistake of what I like to call, “visual chaos.” This is when you have too many things in a space vying for your eye’s attention. A good rule of thumb is to edit each area of your home in a way that allows the focal point to be the first thing you see when you or guests enter the room. A focal point can be anything, a beautiful fireplace, your favorite piece of art, a fantastic view, floor to ceiling library bookcases, or even your TV entertainment wall. Whatever the purpose of the space is will help you decide where to direct focus when walking into that room. – Kevin Twitty Interiors

Decorative lighting: The importance of size and scale 

Decorative lighting should be scaled in proportion to the space it occupies – think room dimensions, ceiling height, furniture plan, and flooring configuration, etc. Voluminous rooms need appropriately scaled fixtures both to provide the right amount of lighting and to create visual balance with other objects in the room. For example, overhead fixtures can be stunning focal points if scaled and styled correctly, but the vast majority of ‘off the shelf’ products are often sized too small for today’s larger homes. –Hammerton 

Don’t underestimate the Impact of a Rug

Begin with a plan

We regularly have clients come to us who have gone out to furniture showrooms and bought random pieces before they have a furniture plan. They come to us to start over because the sizes are wrong, nothing works together, and they don’t want to keep throwing money at it without getting any results. Start with a plan so that you will know what you need before you start shopping. -Jenni Leasia, Jenni Leasia Design

Be aware of table placement 

If it disrupts the flow, don’t place your table under a light fixture for the sake of having it centered. We see a lot of homeowners do so; it’s natural to want to center your table under the light. But if it means working your way through the space awkwardly, just have an electrician move the light (or better yet, opt for recessed lighting with LED can lights). Table placement should be dictated by flow, and the lights placed after. -Kristi Hopper, Kristi Hopper Designs 

Mix old with new  

For a truly curated look, don’t be afraid to mix old with new. Buy that vintage table and pair it with newer, more modern chairs. Embrace Grandma’s floral throw on your beautiful boucle sofa. The possibilities are endless! –Aleah Carr Bio, MCI 

Art creates a finished look in a space 

Without art, your home will always feel like something’s missing! Artwork is also a chance to add something you truly, deeply love to your space. It feels like such a missed opportunity when I see artwork from a big box store in someone’s home: resist the urge, and take your time finding the right thing for your space. If you’re just getting started with art and you’re a bit intimidated, begin by paying close attention to work that resonates with you. Are you attracted to certain colors? Do you prefer figurative or abstract work? Do the pieces you love feel mysterious and moody or bright and joyful? Connecting directly with independent artists through Instagram can be super exciting, creating an even more special connection with the artwork in your space. –Jessica Poundstone

Make a triangle of lighting in each room 

When using lamps and lighting in a room, make sure you have at least a triangle of lighting. This is to make a room feel more balanced. Something easy to do in every room. –Christine Archer Interiors

Opt for larger items that fit the scale of the room  

The biggest mistake our design team sees is not paying attention (or not understanding) the proper scale of furniture, accessories, rugs, etc in a space. Often people will fill their homes with too many small items, instead of larger items that fit the scale of the room. A tip for homeowners is to remove all of the items from the room and start bringing in one item at a time. A rug needs to have the majority of the furniture on it, and the furniture should fill the space but not overpower the room. Choose a few large accessories, instead of many small ones. Editing a space can sometimes be the best design trick of all! -Kristen Thomas, Studio Thomas

Come to an agreement about the scope of the project 

Clients should try to be on the same page about the scope of work for a project. That doesn’t mean you will always agree on everything visual, but that is your designer’s job: to pull together a story that includes both or all of the people living in the home! -Steffani Aarons, DHD Principal Interior Designer

Follow your heart when it comes to art

Art in any form is one of the most compelling ways to create a home that is uniquely yours. Don’t worry about whether anyone else will like it, all that matters is that it speaks to you. And remember that you can always rotate pieces from room to room to create a powerful refresh to your spaces over time. –Swivel Interiors 

Create sanctuary spaces in your home 

We live in a highly stimulated world. While the open-concept design is great for gathering people together, it is important for our well-being that we create sanctuary spaces where we can be alone, rest, and recharge. That may mean including a yoga or meditation area that can be closed off to the noise and activity of the household. Or, having a separate home office, study, or library where one can go to concentrate on a task when socializing isn’t the primary goal. –Dane Austin Design, @colorfulllife

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Design with the future in mind

When planning your space, consider what your potential growth or living style will be within five years. At GTA, we specialize in designing homes for 55+ and older individuals and place an emphasis on creating homes that meet changing needs. Some of these considerations may include adding additional lighting for safety and comfort, understanding how rooms function best for ease of use, and designing spaces that have clear pathways free of obstructions. –Gawron Turgeon Architects 

Less is more 

Our motto is always, less is more and don’t take yourself too seriously! Your house should be a reflection of you and should feel good the minute you walk in. Keep the big pieces of furniture neutral and layer in your personality and color through artwork, pillows, fun wallpaper in the powder bathroom, or even ceiling. Lighting is always the jewelry of the room and can change a space immediately. Warm white walls always feel crisp and fresh and allow for artwork, architecture, and nature to take center stage. -Kricken Yaker, Vanillawood 

When embarking on a remodel take advantage of an interior designer 

When embarking on a kitchen remodel or anything that involves construction, there is huge value in hiring an interior designer to do planning and design! You will save headaches and have innovative design ideas and specifications for everything in a comprehensive package. An experienced interior designer will also navigate the complexities of construction. Don’t be afraid to reach out, there are many designers out there for an array of project shapes and sizes. -Alissa Pulcrano, Bright Designlab

You don’t need to chase trends for your home to look current

Your home design can be both “of the moment” while also remaining timeless. Good design is intensely personal, which is why when we design for clients, we help them curate their own personal style. It may draw elements from several main design types, but they are always happy. You will be happier too if you are surrounded by beautiful things that mean something to you. -Allison Smith, Allison Smith Design 

Don’t forget the importance of lighting 

Lighting is one of the most important functional aspects of home design, and too often it is considered late in a design project.  Indirect LED lighting has to be integrated during construction to provide ambient lighting without the need for excess recessed lighting and other fixtures.  Making a plan to integrate LED strip-lighting within extrusions while utilizing diffusers brings interior lighting to another level of functionality and makes a beautiful interior even better after dark.  Don’t forget to specify compatible dimmers too: mood lighting makes ALL the difference in the feeling of a space.—Charles Pavarini III, Pavarini Design 

Choose solid wood for your home and the environment

Living with real wood is like living in partnership with nature, and can actually calm our nervous systems. Humans are inherently drawn to natural things and research shows that being close to nature (and wood, in particular) is psychologically and physically beneficial for us, reducing stress levels. Real wood is much more sustainable, and its longevity allows solid wood tables to be refinished indefinitely, handed down to future generations, sold at a sustained high value, or repurposed or recycled. –Meyer Wells 

Add window coverings 

Most people leave their windows unaddressed as if they have a private view of the beach when in fact their view is usually of the neighbor’s bathroom window…..let’s be realistic and put some reasonable window coverings up. –Amity Worrel & Co.