84 Designer-Approved Decorating Secrets That Will Totally Transform Your Space

While decorating your home is a great way to flex your creative muscle, finding the pieces that look and feel perfect can be more challenging than most people may want to admit. It’s your home, it should feel like a reflection of you—so, why does the couch you picked out look a bit off? And why didn’t that paint color you loved work out?

It’s moments like these that having a professional in your corner can make a world of difference, and though an interior designer might not be within budget, they’ve shared plenty of stellar decorating secrets with us that can be beneficial to any space.

Keep reading to find budget-friendly, clever tricks of the trade that’ll make designing your home much smoother, no matter the size of your space. The 84 decorating secrets below come straight from the experts, and the corresponding images will help you visualize how these ideas look when utilized.

Additional copy by Kate McGregor and Melanie Yates.

Focus on Your Lifestyle

For this family who loves to entertain, designer Lindsay Rhodes designed an extra-long, custom sofa that’s only 20 inches high at its seat to be able to comfortably fit a dining table in front of it when needed. “We wanted the room to ‘face’ the house and provide seating for as many people as possible, so that both kids and adults can pile into this room,” Rhodes says.

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Elegant bedroom with canopy bed, chairs, and a small table with flowers.Mary Craven Dawkins

2

Take Advantage of Ceiling Height

In the bedroom of the same home above, Rhodes took advantage of the super high ceilings and put a four-poster bed in the primary bedroom. It feels right at home, as she puts it.

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Dining room with wooden table, red chairs, floral centerpiece, and black modern pendant lights.Tim Williams

3

Choose a Narrow Dining Table

This dining nook was designed to encourage close conversation and for guests to maintain a connection throughout the meal. How was this done? The design team behind Rowland+Broughton custom designed a narrow dining table.

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Elegant living room with green sofas, marble fireplace, and large chandelier.Nate Sheets Photography

4

Get Clever With Seating Layouts

This airy living room designed by Sara Noble has enough seating for the entire family, plus some guests. But Noble was clever with her layout and put the two swivel chairs near the open-concept kitchen, allowing them to easily swivel around to face the cook space.

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game tableRoss Group Creative

5

Marry Old and New

“When our clients hired us, they had a lot of inherited furniture from their family they wanted to incorporate,” interior designer Maggie Clarke says. The dining tables and side chairs were her clients’ grandmother’s, which the designer had refinished to minimize the red tones in the woodgrain. “I love incorporating meaningful pieces into designs,” she says. It gives the space soul.”

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kitchenJessica Sample

6

Connect Through Lighting

Designer Tamara Honey connected the open-concept kitchen to its surrounding areas through lighting. “The lights serve a purpose as both working taskers while adding to the architectural and artistic ambience within the space,” says the designer.

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kitchenMichael Clifford

7

Be Mindful With Storage

“I wanted the kitchen to feel incorporated into that space but without sticking out like a typical kitchen,” designer Adam Ben Wagner says. “I conceived of the cabinetry as full-height bookshelves and storage, reading more like an intimate library space.” A cohesive wood stain across the open-concept floor plan ensures a seamless transition from one space to the next.

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bailey mccarthy's 19th century home in martha’s vineyard designed by amber lewis.Shade Degges

8

Think of Everyone

Don’t dismiss your guest spaces as you’re remodeling your home. Designer Amber Lewis put this beautiful soaker tub in the guest bathroom that pulls in blues from the bedroom, making visitors feel like they’re staying at a boutique hotel. “This girl does not cut a corner for a single human,” Lewis says of her generous interior design client. “Everybody gets the full experience.”

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bailey mccarthy's 19th century home in martha’s vineyard designed by amber lewis. speakeasy.Shade Degges

9

Create Unique Touches

This speakeasy is hidden behind a bookcase door in the living room, creating a little secret spot for the homeowners to play around with. Amber Lewis chose wave-inspired wainscoting and a custom nautical mural by de Gournay to pay homage to the home’s shoreline location.

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bailey mccarthy's 19th century home in martha’s vineyard designed by amber lewis. breakfast area.Shade Degges

10

Play to the Room Size

In this small breakfast nook, Amber Lewis opted for a corner banquette to allow people to easily “scoot around” the table. Otherwise, they’d have to awkwardly push chairs in and out to get around the narrow kitchen.

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tv personality breegan jane's venice beach\, california home. guest bathroom.Ryan Garvin

11

Look to Your Own Quirks

Designer Breegan Jane put this beautiful Moroccan fountain in a guest bathroom to provide “auditory privacy.” The designer says she was inspired by her own “insecurities” when using other people’s bathrooms, so she put this in to make it more comfortable for guests.

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tv personality breegan jane's venice beach\, california home. kitchen.Ryan Garvin

12

Design for How You Really Live

Breegan Jane doesn’t cook, but she loves to entertain; therefore, she turned her kitchen into a party-ready gathering spot. She added specialty features like disco balls and easy-to-clean, low-maintenance surfaces rather than the best appliances.

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captiva island\, florida beach home designed by janie molster and her partner\, kate stikeleather. outdoor dining.Carmel Brantley

13

Know Your Environment

When purchasing a home by the water, it’s essential to prepare for storm seasons. Designer Janie Molster collaborated with her clients, who bought a house on Captiva Island, Florida, to ensure the property could withstand the elements. She incorporated protective features such as storm shutters and high-impact windows, blending durability with thoughtful design to safeguard the home against nature’s challenges.

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captiva island\, florida beach home designed by janie molster and her partner\, kate stikeleather. breakfast room.Carmel Brantley

14

Lean Into the Room’s Proportions

Designer Janie Molster decided to play into this breakfast room’s extra-tall height. She fell in love with the “dramatic scale” of the draperies, opting for a blue patterned fabric from Etamine.

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captiva island\, florida beach home designed by janie molster and her partner\, kate stikeleather. grandkids’ room. kids' bedroom.Carmel Brantley

15

Remember That Kids Grow Up

When designing this grandkids’ room, Janie Molster put in two extra-long twin beds to accommodate the kids as they grow into adulthood. “Twin bedrooms are always fun to design. The symmetry is so pleasing to the eye,” Molster says.

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captiva island\, florida beach home designed by janie molster and her partner\, kate stikeleather. great room.Carmel Brantley

16

Expect Messes to Happen

“We wanted to create a house that could bend the rules about eating and drinking,” Janie Molster says, so she used performance fabrics to upholster the sofas in this living space. As long as they’re cleaned right, they should look as good as new years from now.

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real estate advisor dawn mckenna's naples\, florida house. powder room.Nicole Franzen

17

Find Ways to Add Dimension

When your small space has, like a powder room, doesn’t allow much room for visual dimension, find creative ways to add it in. In this room, designer Kelly Hurliman chose to arch the ceiling to add depth to the space.

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home gym iron house design ironhousedesign\, jim and tanya ryno garage gym\, mini circuit zones for strength training and cardio the elliptical machine and treadmill were both positioned to face out workout equipment art jaqui falkenheim, from minted mirror and bench wayfair professional paint blackened, farrow ball dumbbells and kettlebells pent whole home 2024 this years energy efficient home is in the conservation minded community of sprout\, located on a private nature preserve in hendersonville\, north carolinaBrie Williams

18

Make It Inviting

A home gym is still a gym, and if the space is cold, dingy, and blah, no amount of convenience will get you to use it. However, designer Tanya Ryno has a fix for that: “If it’s more inviting, you’ll use it.” She and her husband, Jim, of Iron House Design, created this beautiful and serene home gym for our 2024 Whole Home, using calming hues, plenty of fresh air, and luxe finishes to do so.

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Related Story: 25 Home Gym Ideas That Are Big On Style

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the living dining room by dane austin design daneaustindesign floor to ceiling chimney breast\, constructed with cosentinos dekton ultracompact surface material a farrow ball cherry blossom inspired wallpaper reproduced from a design discovered in an 18th century chateau is a stunning backdrop\, while a tiered chandelier by visual comfort co floats high above it all blue walls\, mountain views\, geometric accents whole home 2024 this years energy efficient home is in the conservation minded community of sprout\, located on a private nature preserve in hendersonville\, north carolinaBrie Williams

19

Ensure There’s Enough Seating

If your family is an entertaining bunch, then you need to make sure that your home can comfortably accommodate the number of guests you’d like to bring in. A good rule of thumb, and a way to make sure you don’t over-invite, is matching your living room and dining room seating options, according to designer Dane Austin. “Your living room should be able to seat as many people as you have dining room chairs,” he says.

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Related Story: Top 12 Dining Room Trends Designers Are Expecting to Take Over in 2025

reading room anne mcdonald design annemcdonalddesign intimate, cozy retreat, custom millwork, luxurious solitude, antiqued mirror and brass shelf brackets from architectural grille, floating shelves, the bottom half of the built in is dressed with a floral skirt, softening the boxy architecture of the petite space tactile elements, like a midcentury chair, 1970s limestone console, and silky goat hair rug, encourage guests to cross the threshold to top it all off, a visual comfort co chandelier with alabaster globes adds a touch of vintage glamour overhead balancing the hard and soft here was all about a curated mix of textures shelf hardware brackets and cafe curtain rod architectural grille lighting visual comfort co shades hunter douglas drapery clarence house rugs safar top, fibreworks bottom whole home 2024 this years energy efficient home is in the conservation minded community of sprout, located on a private nature preserve in hendersonville, north carolinaBrie Williams

20

Look to the Past

While large amounts of natural light are on most people’s home wishlists, sometimes large windows can make you feel a bit exposed. Designer Anne McDonald suggests one particular design trend of the past to counter this vulnerable feeling. She transformed part of the large, open reading room into an English snug: “They’re sweet little rooms that are intimate and cozy.”

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Related Story: 40 Reading Nook Ideas That Don’t Sacrifice Coziness for Style

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the scene features a dining table surrounded by woven chairs placed on a patterned rug that includes multicolored blocks a sideboard with a textured surface holds a vibrant bouquet of tulips one patterned chair with a blue and white motif is visible against a backdrop of intricate wallpaper a piece of abstract art hangs on the wall enhancing the rooms aesthetic in the background, there is an open doorway leading to a kitchen area with white cabinetryEmily Gilbert

21

Find Your Grounding Elements

If your home is filled with patterns, an interior design secret from Colleen Simonds is all about using certain pieces as grounding elements to take a bit away from the busy prints: “The color and glaze on the lamps help balance the tones in the wallpaper,” she explains of this dining room. “The rug was a late—but wonderful—find. The brown is nice and grounding and all the colorful squares bring life and cheerful color to the room. Chic, not serious, and unique. My favorite combination!”

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Related Story: Custom Murals and 7 Other Wallpaper Trends That Will Be Everywhere in 2025

a spacious kitchenDAN PIASSICK

22

Veer Away From Tradition

This Texas house didn’t come with a kitchen island, so the team at Fort Design Studio sourced a portable wooden island from Chairish to use instead; not only does this give the kitchen a wholly unique look, but it warms up the space. It’s okay—even encouraged—to think outside the box when it comes to decorating your home.

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kitchen rangeDAN PIASSICK

23

Work Around Your Life

In the same Texas home as above, the Fort Design Studio team installed a pullout Rev-A-Shelf spice drawer to the right of the stunning range. Hilary Colia, one of the designers who worked on this project, explains that this “blew [the] client’s mind—she had been storing all her spices in the pantry and walking back and forth when needed.” There are tools out there designed to make your life easier, depending on your lifestyle—if you find them, take advantage of them.

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blue kitchenAdam Macchia

24

Tweak the Layout

“Just by rearranging the space, it feels double its original size,” architect J.E. Schram explains of his remodeled home kitchen. The architect actually took up more space in the remodel, adding about 50 percent more countertop area and 60 percent more cabinet space. However, by simply moving the fridge and the range and hiding away smaller appliances to reduce clutter, Schram made the kitchen feel so much larger.

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banquette seating in breakfast nookMadeline Tolle

25

Downsizing Might Be Better

Though the phrase is “bigger is better,” designer Jaqui Seerman proves that isn’t always the case. While some aspects of this Beverly Hills home became a bit oversized—like the primary baths—other aspects, like this breakfast nook, got the opposite treatment for the better. “We downsized this breakfast nook from seating for 10 to six, and now it’s one of the most frequented corners of the house,” Seerman says.

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Related Story: 34 Banquette Ideas to Make Every Room More Comfortable

a stylish bedroomSam Frost

26

Blend In Rich Tones

When decorating in a mainly neutral color palette, making sure the space doesn’t feel one-dimensional is key. This interior design secret involves adding rich hues and textures as accents throughout. Lindye Galloway, the designer of this bedroom, explains, “To achieve a sense of tranquility and comfort, we kept a neutral palette and added a few rich tones in accents and blended textures to add some subtle interest.”

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bathroom vanity with tile floorsKelly Marshall

27

Tell a Story

Get creative in the way you tell your family’s story through your interior design. In this NYC home, Christie Ward of design firm Ward + Gray says, “While we were working on the project, the couple got engaged in Rome, so we wanted to find a way to make a subtle nod to that story. We designed this marble patterned floor tile that was inspired by a floor we once saw in a Roman church.”

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nantucket home designed by michael ellison dining roomNicole Franzen

28

Combine Textures and Layering

“When things are really tonal, texture and layering are a must,” designer Michael Ellison says of this Nantucket home. He used plenty of natural stone, distressed leather, rattan accents, jute rugs, and faux-vellum walls to create this intimate gathering space for his clients, relying on the different textures to provide depth and interest to the entire home.

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los angeles home designed by jeremiah brent design living roomShade Degges

29

Combine Traditional and Modern

In this Los Angeles home, designer Jeremiah Brent explains, “The goal was to find the balance between the pedigree of traditional design and the playfulness of modern design.” By doing so, he created a spacious and beautiful retreat that encourages conversation and connection for a family that loves to entertain.

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waterborne home in northern california designed by colleen dowd saglimbeni of cds interiors kitchenJONATHAN MITCHELL

30

Don’t Knock a Fixer-Upper

This once-dilapidated floating house didn’t look like it had much going for it when Donna and Eric Colson purchased it. “It was red-tagged, completely dilapidated,” Colleen Dowd Saglimbeni, founder of CDS Interiors, says. However, Dowd Saglimbeni was able to completely transform the structure thanks to its good bones and small but open layout, using the panoramic views of the bay as her jumping-off point in designing the ultimate entertainment space.

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los angeles bungalow by designer nick olsenPierre Galant

31

Use the Ceilings for Balance

In this small maximalist’s home, designer Nick Olsen needed to capture his client’s more-is-more aesthetic without making the space feel too crowded, so he decided to paint the ceilings white. “With all this boldness, you need relief,” Olsen says. He also added a range of earthy elements, like jute and bamboo, to further encourage the balance.

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charleston\, south carolina home designed by cortney bishop designKatie Charlotte

32

Bring In Local Elements

“We intentionally avoided competing with the picturesque marsh views and wove their tones into various spaces instead,” Cortney Bishop says of this Charleston, South Carolina, home. Her interior design secret involves looking to the outside elements, like taking inspiration from the live oaks along the water for the white oak flooring and cabinetry in the kitchen. She wanted to provide harmony in the entire property, creating “an immersive depth that seamlessly blends with the surrounding environment and the old trees,” as she puts it.

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green mudroomLauren Miller

33

Lighten Up a Room With Woven Cane

In this elegant mudroom designed by Ashley Montgomery, the caned cabinet fronts serve practical and decorative purposes. They “provide airflow” to cabinets that hold farm clothes, boots, hats, and gloves, and their natural color breaks up the green woodwork. Such high-traffic areas can feel cluttered, but thoughtful details like caning can help calm the chaos.

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vintage decor in bedroomStephen Paul

34

Combine Strong Colors and Prints

While the concept might seem to clash, this bedroom designed by Leah Ring of Another Human includes rich colors and prints from patchwork textiles to ceramic items and paint, so it’s only fitting that the artwork is multidimensional and unique too. “The bedroom gets great light throughout the day, so we wanted to go for a peachy color on the walls that would give it a nice glow with the sunlight,” Ring explains. The bedroom “feels layered in a comfortable way but not too busy—[you] feel very serene when you’re in the room,” Ring says.

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kitchenChaunté Vaughn

35

Add Charm With a Cabinet Skirt

Meta Coleman was inspired by tile and color to give a California kitchen a refresh. She borrowed square footage from the living room to build this bright walk-in pantry. It’s complete with plenty of storage, tons of countertop space, and adorable cabinet skirts that soften the room.

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blue living roomBarbara Corsico

36

Match Blue With Any Other Color

The interior design lesson here is that there are no downsides to practically any shade of blue. Designed by Kingston Lafferty, the artwork above the fireplace sets the tone for the bold color-blocking happening throughout the space, including the light green ceiling, the tonal walls and mantel, the Sputnik light, and the patterned chairs and drapes.

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kitchenLindsay Brown

37

Lean on Timeless Tile

Avery Cox of Avery Cox Design, who loves a classic subway tile, can be found using mosaics and penny tiles as well. “If I’m really going for something special I’ll select a hand-painted or marbled tile from somewhere like Balineum,” she explains. Bonus tip: Customizations are having a moment in the tile industry, whether it’s in your bathroom, kitchen, or bedroom!

black, white and gray tiles, bath tub, square wall tiles, wall artStephen Karlisch

38

Cut Tile for a Custom Look

“We typically cut readily available materials that are in standard sizes into smaller sizes of those same tiles,” Jessica Geller of Toldeo Geller says for the 2021 Whole Home. The design duo used the budget-friendly method to create the custom tile design in this bathroom.

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contact paper for countertopsBjorn Wallander

39

Update an Appliance With Wallpaper

Have ugly appliances or simply want to change things up? Cover them up with peel-and-stick wallpaper, as designer Janie Molster did to the fridge and freezer in this kitchen. It makes the room feel more quirky and fun.

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one room challenge, yellow wallpaper, teal side table, teal head boardAnthony Gianacakos

40

Balance Playful and Sophisticated

You can mix colors and patterns that’ll push the envelope but still remain stylish and authentic in your interior design. Just take it from designer Anthony Gianacakos, who did so in his own bedroom. “My strong suit is color and pattern combination,” he says.

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yellow chair, deskAllie Provost

41

No Window? Use a Mirror

In a basement room with no windows, Camila Pavone of Effortless Style Interiors came up with the idea to combine two mirrors to fake a window. It brightens up the space and makes it feel bigger.

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wooden kitchen, wooden bar stools, ceiling lampKevin Scott

42

Soften Up Stainless Steel

Stainless steel can feel so harsh, but if you still want the material present in your home, there are ways to make it feel softer. “We love how this finish surface interacts with light; it is soft, subtle, and welcoming,” says Suzanne Stefan of the stainless steel matte finish in her kitchen, which she created using a Scotch-Brite sponge.

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whole home 2020Emily Minton Redfield

43

Use Your Collections

“I wanted to fashion a space where you could have a friend over for coffee or tea…and actually use your collected china,” says Marie Flanigan of this tea room she designed for the 2020 Whole Home. Her interior design secret is that any collection can be a jumping-off point for a room.

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radiator cabinet ideasLeanne Ford Interiors

44

Hide a Radiator With a Cabinet

radiator can easily throw off your design vision. Make it a part of the room by building a cabinet over it, as Leanne Ford Interiors did here to reclaim the hallway space and turn it into a beautiful little reading nook.

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melissa rufty louisiana houseKerri McCaffety

45

Create a Personal Oasis

Don’t underestimate the importance of a personal sanctuary. “I wanted it to feel like being wrapped in a warm blanket,” says Melissa Rufty of this Southern library. She added plush fabrics and rich colors to feel enveloped in the room every time it was entered.

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sitting room with blue lacquer wallpaperWerner Straube

46

Try Lacquer Wallpaper

Skip out on the real stuff. “If someone draws on it, it’s a lot easier to repair than real lacquer!” says designer Corey Damen Jenkins. It’s much more child-friendly too.

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watercolor

47

Make Your Own Art

“Purchase a few matted frames and pop in your own sketches of abstract art. The picture mats will look expensive, and you’ll have your own personal touch on the walls for guests to admire,” says interior designer Eneia White.

hanging black seat with yellow stool and big red planter next to itHomeGoods

48

Use Multifunctional Furniture Outdoors

“Small, outdoor ceramic stools are great pieces of furniture that perform double duty,” says interior designer David Quarles IV. “They can be used as extra seating or when placed close to a chair or sofa, they can serve as an additional surface to place your laptop during work hours or cocktails and small plates of food during an outdoor hangout.”

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interior design, room, furniture, pink, ceiling, wall, building, table, floor, architecture,Christopher Dibble

49

Transform an Eyesore With Paint

“In this basement remodel, we would’ve had to spend a ton of money rerouting the HVAC air duct. Who wouldn’t go with ballet slipper pink instead?” asks designer Max Humphrey. When you really look into it, there are a lot of interesting features you can transform with paint that you may not have thought of before.

designer tipsAldous Bertram

50

Create Your Own Character

“There was no ceiling molding and no molding around the doors in this apartment, so I added them with paint,” explains Aldous Bertram. In his entire apartment, the designer added his own creative spin on things without too much commitment. When the time came to move out, he could easily paint back over everything.

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entryway with grand pianoStephen Karlisch

51

Shop Your Home First

It’s easy to want to purchase all new things for your new house, but both the earth and your wallet won’t like that level of consumerism. Interior designer Jean Liu says of this empty-nesters’ new home in Dallas, “We were able to work in a lot of pieces from their previous home, which made it feel layered.”

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decorating tricksAnnie Sloan

52

Fake It ‘Til You Make It

“Do something groovy on the actual steps! The bolder you go, the bigger the smile when you see them,” says Fawn Galli. This interior design secret involves a painted runner by Annie Sloan that looks just like a carpet.

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modern dining room with classic furniture and paintingJoshua McHugh

53

Liven Up a Room With a Mural

“Murals are a way of bringing more people into the house, so even when it’s just the two owners, it never feels lonely,” explains designer Raji Radhakrishnan. “At nighttime, when the chandeliers are lit, it feels like it’s literally coming to life!” They’re an excellent way to take up a lot of wall space and create something unique in the house.

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room, dining room, furniture, white, interior design, property, table, ceiling, living room, building,Lark and Linen

54

Mix Old and New Decor

“Old and new belong together. A mix of modern pieces and antiques never tires,” says Caleb Anderson. Whether the pieces are passed down or thrifted, there’s something about a vintage decoration that adds character to a room.

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bathroom with pink lightsRyan Garvin & Tyler Hogan

55

Update the Lighting

Improve health and temporarily turn a room a different color with “top-of-the-line smart circadian rhythm lighting,” as Breegan Jane puts it.

blue, ceiling, room, property, building, architecture, interior design, wall, house, molding,Richard Powers

56

Wallpaper Ordinary Spaces

“I love to use wallpaper in mundane spaces. Hallways, pantries, powder rooms—all become moments of joy and funkiness. Areas of transition can be places you enjoy spending time in,” Fawn Galli says.

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living room, room, furniture, interior design, purple, property, coffee table, violet, couch, building,Dustin Halleck via Edyta and Co

57

Don’t Be Afraid to DIY

“If punk rock has taught me anything, it’s to do everything yourself. All of my favorite interior designers were self-taught,” Max Humphrey says. Even if you’re not a DIY master, taking the time to learn something new is so rewarding.

Blue, Living room, Room, Furniture, Interior design, Couch, Table, Floor, Wall, Coffee table, Black Lacquer Design

58

Buy the Right Light Bulbs

“Choosing the right light bulb is very important. LED bulbs are energy efficient, and they can look great,” Paloma Contreras adds. However, you don’t want one that projects too warm or too cool of light into your space. It’s important to do your research when looking for the right type of light.

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Blue, Furniture, Room, Living room, Interior design, Yellow, Wall, Table, Home, Porcelain, Nathan Schroder

59

Add Personality With Wicker

Designer Amy Berry says, “Wicker is an element I love for its texture and versatility. Wicker baskets are so functional for storage, but a wicker animal brings a sense of whimsy.”

yellow, fashion accessory, illustration, jewellery, ear, party supply, invitation,Courtesy of Courtney Hill Interiors

60

Elevate the Light Switches

“Update your light switches! Elegant controls add a spectacular element to an older home or character to a new one,” Courtney Hill suggests. They’re easily dismissed, but that doesn’t mean they should be.

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Furniture, Room, Blue, Interior design, Yellow, Table, Property, Building, Ceiling, House, Julie Soefer

61

Invest in Antiques

“Great art and fabulous antiques only get better with age. It’s better to cry once and have a forever piece,” designer Chandos Dodson Epley says. Plus, depending on what you buy, you can always sell it in the future at a profit.

room, red, property, furniture, door, interior design, bedroom, house, floor, home,Keita Turner

62

Even Rentals Can Get an Upgrade

“These doors were uninspiring and ugly,” says designer Keita Turner. However, her interior design secret involved making this creative DIY upgrade to add a bit more interest to the closet doors while keeping them renter-friendly. See how she hacked a custom upholstery job here.

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dining room, room, interior design, property, yellow, furniture, green, ceiling, turquoise, home,Old Brand New

63

Trust Your Intuition

“Follow your gut. If you have to talk yourself into liking something, you probably don’t,” Olivia Erwin explains. Great advice to follow inside and outside of interior design!

hbx020115004Maura McEvoy

64

Start From the Top

Julio Salcedo says, “Look up! We use ceilings a lot. Through them, we define the lines and beauty of a space.” The fifth wall is more important than you may think. We’re loving the tented ceiling look right now.

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cabinetry, furniture, room, kitchen, countertop, yellow, hutch, cupboard, drawer, material property,Anne Schlechter

65

Add a Bar

“Every house should have a great bar. It is the central point of a party, and if you entertain a lot, it will be celebrated, so put some thought into it,” designer Jordana Joseph adds. And if you can’t put in a whole bar, consider a bar cart.

living room, room, furniture, interior design, purple, property, couch, window covering, yellow, home,Annie Schlechter

66

When in Doubt, Paint It

“Never underestimate the power of paint,” Chauncey Boothby says. “You don’t have to break the bank to achieve a new look. A fresh coat in a vibrant color takes an old piece of furniture or empty white room and gives it new life.”

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orange, room, kitchen, blue, yellow, furniture, cabinetry, countertop, interior design, building,Courtesy Anthony George

67

Draw On the Walls

Can you believe this rental kitchen makeover was done with just paint and tape? That’s one heck of an interior design secret. Designer Anthony Gianacakos seriously upgraded his kitchen to look more playful with this creative design. “I could really transform the space with paint—it doesn’t have to be wallpaper,” he says.

room, floor, furniture, property, interior design, ceiling, building, kitchen, yellow, wood flooring,Heather Talbert

68

Embrace a Classic White Kitchen

“Classics never go out of style,” Alexandra Kaehler says. “I hesitated about doing a white kitchen in my own house, thinking I’d been there, done that. But I’m so glad I did. I will never tire of it.”

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living room, furniture, room, blue, interior design, coffee table, table, couch, floor, property,Lark and Linen

69

Use Your Things

“Actually use your beautiful things! I have a chocolate lab and white furniture in my living room. It took some training, but now he knows the furniture is off-limits,” designer Lindsey Lane explains.

white, room, dining room, furniture, interior design, yellow, table, wall, lighting, chair,Courtesy of Larette Design

70

Don’t Be Afraid of Dark Colors

“I used this rich Benjamin Moore Midnight Blue on an accent wall—darker than I’d ever dared. It made the whole space come to life,” designer Jean Larette says. Moody paint colors can sometimes be difficult to work with, but the end product is so gorgeous.

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the study's sofa and armchairs are upholstered in a jasper stripe throw, hermès annika lamps, mary mcdonald for robert abbey inlaid chair, singh imports garden stools, jf chen left and mecox right walls in benjamin moore's monterey whiteVictoria Pearson

71

Fill It With Styled Clutter

Take Marie Kondo with a grain of salt. “I think it’s true what she says, but all this stuff brings me joy. Ever since I was little, I liked to collect things, even unimportant things,” says Mary McDonald. And she’s not the only one: Other designers think you should embrace stuff, too.

TOUR THE ENTIRE HOME

White, Room, Property, Furniture, Floor, Tile, Interior design, Bathroom, Building, Home, Katie Hodges Design

72

Splurge on the Primary Bath

“The splurge everyone should make is a fabulous primary bathroom,” designer Todd Richesin says of his favorite interior design secret. “I used hand-painted porcelain sinks in mine.”

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living room, interior design, room, furniture, property, curtain, home, coffee table, wall, house,Erin Nail

73

Don’t Underestimate the Coffee Table

“In an open seating plan, always use a well-proportioned statement coffee table to ground the arrangement and give it a sense of place,” designer Sean Michael says.

shelving, shelf, bookcase, furniture, room, book, interior design, building, wall, table,Black Lacquer Design

74

Make Ceilings Look Higher With Tall Furniture

“Use tall pieces in a low-height room. Short furnishings would make the ceiling feel that much lower than the ground,” Jason Oliver Nixon explains.

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formal black and white sitting roomSarah Winchester Studios

75

Think Asymmetrical

“Get creative when thinking about form and function,” interior designer Kate Coughlin says. “A client in a traditional Georgian home needed it to work for her modern way of entertaining. We opted for an asymmetrical, organic space that encourages guests to float through the room while engaged in conversation.”

living room, room, furniture, interior design, property, building, home, purple, wall, ceiling,Edyta and Co.

76

Figure Out the Floor Plan

It’s quite simple to hear, but easy to skip over when you start finding furniture you simply love the look of: “The most important first step in design is a good floor plan,” says Jessica Helgerson. After that, the rest comes fairly easily.

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room, dining room, interior design, furniture, table, curtain, floor, home, chair, house,Heather Hawkins via Studio Ten 25

77

Invest in Upholstery

“My clients ask about the most important pieces to invest in: I believe in upholstery and art! They help anchor a room,” designer Ashley Darryl explains. Sometimes, it really is the smaller things that complete the big picture.

room, furniture, property, floor, interior design, building, house, home, ceiling, door,Studio Ten 25

78

Have Fun

“Make sure you’re having fun. What’s more fun than making your own home more beautiful?” designer Eche Martinez ponders. And if you’re feeling a bit burnt out on where to find fun home inspiration, we asked a few designers where they go to feel creative outside the internet—check it out.

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countertop, room, orange, property, red, ceiling, cabinetry, kitchen, interior design, building,Sargent Architectural Photograph

79

Create Your Own Light

“When you’re given a dark space that doesn’t have great light, create your own light. In this kitchen, we used Sherwin-Williams’s sunny Ener­getic Orange, and it turned out just fabulous—so cheerful,” Matthew Boland says. However, it’s important to note that this paint color is now archived. Don’t worry though—we know of some other orange paints you’re sure to love.

stairs, property, building, iron, handrail, home, architecture, room, house, interior design,Rustic White Interiors

80

Know Your Dealbreakers

“Don’t settle,” Brian Watford says. “If you have your heart set on a piece, don’t try to find something similar just to save money. Chances are, you’ll never be completely satisfied with the substitute (or its quality).”

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living room, room, furniture, interior design, green, property, coffee table, table, home, wall,Old Brand New

81

Swap Out Big Pieces to Get a New Look

“When clients want a quick, impactful update, I recommend the pieces that take up the most surface area, like rugs, paint color, or window treatments,” Tina Ramchandani says of her favorite interior design secret.

living room with navy rugWillie Cole

82

Make One Good Investment a Year

“Buy one good piece of furniture every year, and in five years, you’ll have five pieces,” Jeffrey Bilhuber says. “Everything else may change, but these will remain constant.”

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room, furniture, white, interior design, ceiling, property, living room, bedroom, building, house,Katie Hodges Design

83

Decorate Bedrooms to Reflect Your Personality

“In the primary suite, decor can deviate from the common areas and really reflect your personality,” Ali Vanderpool says. Especially if you’re living with other people, take advantage of the freedom you have with this room.

hbx010118092Paul Costello

84

Don’t Forget the Ceiling

“Faux paint, lush lacquer, or wallpaper on a ceiling will garner that ‘Wow’ response,” Leslie May says. Don’t wait to hop on this decor trend—ceilings are hot right now.