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Ever walked into a perfectly designed room, wondering, "How do they make it look so good? " Professional interior designers keep a few tricks up their sleeves that can completely change a space. These are the secrets they often hide from the rest of us, techniques that make a room look effortlessly chic, balanced, and inviting. In this blog, we'll share some of the top interior design secrets that no one wants you to know about.
From playing with proportions to using light to your advantage, these insider tips will help you elevate your space like a pro.
1. The Power of Mirrors: They're Not Just for Looking At
This one's probably an oldie but goodie -mirrors are quite a miracle worker when you look beyond the obvious role they play, such as showing a perfect replica of your face. The truth is, for designers, mirrors are very important for making a space look more spacious, luminous, and well-proportioned. A correctly positioned mirror can bounce a considerable amount of natural light off the windows and outwards to the room, hence opening up the space in ways it never has been opened before. It is also able to give a place an illusionary characteristic that otherwise would not have, like an extra gallery or even doubling the impact of a fireplace.
Pro Tip: Hang mirrors above windows to reflect natural light, or place a dramatic, prominent mirror in a small room as a focal point to make the room appear larger.
2. How to Place the Furniture
Where you put your furniture can make or break the flow of a room. Professional designers know that even in a small space, pushing all the furniture against the walls can make the room feel disconnected and empty. Instead, pulling furniture slightly away from the walls or arranging it in groupings creates a cozy, conversational vibe.
Pro Tip: Area rugs define spaces and make furniture appear intentional. They also add a visual "zone" to open floor plans.
3. Layering Textures for Depth and Warmth
To really deliver high-end looks is a kind of layering, actually texture layering - because blending multiple materials, such as velvet and leather and linen or even wood, brings a feeling and gives depth and a feel to the space, also creates warmth. But not enough. The reason I give layering this star factor: It helps design something away from being really two-dimensional or overly matchy-matchy. All it means is layers do that great thing: to have visual interest and complexity.
Pro Tip: Combine at least three textures in a room. To create a warm, decadent feel, for example, you might layer a wool rug, velvet pillows, and a leather chair.
4. The Rule of Three: Odd Numbers Work Best
The "Rule of Three" is often used by designers when styling decor items. Odd numbers, especially three, are more aesthetically pleasing than even numbers. This is true for everything from coffee table decor to wall art. Asymmetrical arrangements in odd numbers draw the eye naturally across the room because they are interesting.
Pro Tip: Use groups of threes for your decorative items, such as three vases of varying heights on a coffee table or three framed photos on a wall, to achieve balance while being very appealing.
5. Neutral Walls Needn't Be Dull
While bold colors make statement rooms, many designers prefer neutrals for walls and floors to provide an enduring foundation. But neutrals need not be dull! Variations in shades and textures, such as matte and gloss, or faint patterns can create depth and interest in all-neutral color schemes.
Pro Tip: If you try a neutral monochromatic scheme, add a lot of texture, from a velvet sofa against matte walls to a shiny metallic decor. This adds to the richness of the room without overdosing it with color.
6. Light Layers: One Light Source Isn't Enough
A single overhead light will not light up a space appropriately. There is layering of lighting to add warmth and dimensionality. It involves putting together three types: ambient, task, and accent. Since these are different, designers mix lighting types into a space that feels welcoming, functional, and balanced at the same time.
Pro Tip: Balance table lamps and floor lamps along with your overhead lighting, and make strategic use of wall sconces. Dimmers also are a mood-lifting kind of adjustment depending on activity or mood.
7. Curtain Tricks to Make Ceilings Look Higher
Hang the curtains about an inch or two under a window frame so that it gives a feeling of an even bigger room space as well as ceilings with a loftier appearance, due to the fact that having running curtains close to the top makes the eye take in the roof and develops a notion that the room has more capacity.
Pro Tip: Hang curtains as close to the ceiling as possible. Let them extend just above the floor. Use wider curtain rods so that when opened, the curtains don't block any window portion and let maximum sunlight in.
8. Buy Statement Pieces but Save on Trends
One secret designers know well is how to allocate a budget smartly. They invest in timeless statement pieces, such as quality sofas or classic dining tables, that will last and won't go out of style. Meanwhile, they save on trendy decor items that can be swapped out easily without breaking the bank.
Pro Tip: Anchor pieces can be expensive to invest in, such as a sofa or bed or a dining table. Save the pennies for trendy throw pillows, vases, or artwork. After all, these are likely to get changed seasonally.
9. Use Grand Art for Big Impact
Huge pieces of art can make a great statement and really polish up a room. Oversized art is often used by designers as a focal point in minimalist or neutral spaces because it draws the eye and provides drama without requiring much in other decor elements.
Pro Tip: For a balanced proportion, choose a piece of art that is at least two-thirds the width of the furniture it will sit above, such as a sofa or console table. Big, bold pieces of art don't have to cost a fortune, either. Look for a great piece online, or print your favorite photos to make it personalized.
10. The plants serve a purpose beyond decoration
Pro Tip: Throughout the room, there will be plants of various sizes and species. To keep the looks interesting, use floor plants, hanging plants, and tabletop greenery for integration.
And that's how it is made, those interior design secrets of professionals in order to get an effortless look of beautiful space. Now that you know the tricks of the trade, you can confidently apply them to your own home. Remember, it's all about making a space feel right for you; hence, take these ideas and adjust them to your taste.
And if you desire that really designed look minus all the guesswork, work with our team here at Unison Interiors. Our team specializes in making ordinary into extraordinary and infusing that creativity into functionality. Together, we can make that dream space of yours happen!