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7 Best Expert-Approved Interior Design Secrets You Should Know

By Thea Felicity | Sep 14, 2024 12:49 AM EDT

Initially thought of as house 'decorations,' there's more to interior design than what meets the eye. Houses with the best interior design have their spaces carefully laid out so that every space is maximized and equipped with the homeowner's aesthetic vision.

One simple mistake in interior design is also a huge risk to your home's functionality. Besides overdecorating, a miscalculated fixture or space scale will bring uncomfortable conditions to the place where you should feel at home and well-rested. Best of all, professional input will make sure your analysis paralysis will be cured, a feeling you experience every time you come across a sofa on your Instagram feed or a wallpaper on Pinterest.

To avoid such things, there are the best expert-approved interior design secrets you can keep in mind, whether your home is in the works, stuck on planning, or is already done. 

7 Best Expert-Approved Interior Design Secrets 

There's nothing more comforting than having an expert guide to tell you which of your options is the best. No interior design on speed dial? No problem because we collected the 7 best expert-approved interior design secrets you should know.

Also Read: Top 5 Ceiling Light Hacks For Small Living Rooms


(Photo : Landmark Custom Builder & Remodeling LLC / Houzz)
1. Always look at the ceilings

Since ceilings are naturally built high, home furniture and design are always based off of this height. Nick Olsen from House Beautiful uses this as a vantage point even for smaller homes. 

Maximalist designs, for example, should consider ceiling height because it helps in creating a spacious impression. To be clear, you can overdecorate, as long as your floor-to-ceiling ratio's gap is huge enough to make it all balanced.


(Photo : Carol Freedman Design / Houzz)
2. Don't be afraid to clash colors

While color palettes are important, sometimes you can make an exemption for your preferred colors. 

Suggestions from Leah Ring, as shared by House Beautiful, include layering colors and patterns that will not look too busy. This means taking into consideration the space where you will apply the said design, like bedrooms, for instance. However, these multidimensional designs work best for a room that you personally own.


(Photo : Chango / Houzz)
3. Choose your focal point

Not everyone can instantly pull off living room layouts through imagination. To work on this, Foyr suggested planning your focal point first. Because centerpieces are what completes a room's design, solidifying this first will give you ideas on your next furniture set or paintings.

Fireplaces are usually the common focal points in houses, but you can also check out other best alternatives from Design Times.


(Photo : Island Time Renovation & Design / Houzz)
4. Be bold with sizes

Having a small space doesn't mean you should also have small fixture, because believe it or not, blank walls are more awkward than you thought. Not only will it make your room bigger, but it can also maximize its functionality. For example, bigger mirror designs for bathrooms means you can generously occupy and use your small space. Just remember to use the right materials, such as hinges, so you can see your whole body reflection.


(Photo : Clark Collins - Collins Design & Development / Houzz)
5. Make your collections involved

There's nothing warmer than having a personalized home. One underrated expert-approved interior design secret is the involvement of a homeowner's beloved collection. Marie Flanigan told House Beautiful that this works best for spaces where you normally invite your friends over. If you both like ceramic teacups, what better way to spend your afternoons than to sit beside a row of them.


(Photo : Modern Living Room / Houzz)
6. It's okay to spend cheap

Trends come and go, and one of the best expert-approved interior designs to know is that it's easier to replace cheaper fixtures if you want to keep up with what's new. Decoraid acknowledges that interior designers are naturally resourceful that they can offer you budget-friendly alternatives that will work fine either way. Besides, the more affordable, the more welcoming you can be to design overhauls.


(Photo : Houzz)
7. Space matters

While it's encouraged to be bold with furniture set, you should still keep your space open. According to Foyr, without the best expert-approved interior designs, you may unknowingly make a space more cramped up. Remember that your rooms must be at least 90cm wide, which should only widen depending on your body type. This will ensure that two people can pass each other with ease. Plus, more room to run around for your pets.

Related Article: 5 Best Mirror Designs for Bathrooms + How to Place Them

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