Important Interior Design Rules Designers Want You To Know

by John Griffith
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While art and design are mostly subjective, there are some basic rules that should be followed in order to create beautiful, cohesive work. And while you may see a lot of before and after pictures all over social media thinking it seems easy, there are a lot of steps and thoughts that go behind the scenes to make the space work. There are fundamental design decisions that everyone (even designers) should consider before starting to create a space. So, to make your life a little easier the next time you decide to tackle designing a room. Here are some basic interior design rules everyone must know.

There are some basic rules that should be followed in order to create beautiful work

interior design rules living room with gallery wall

There are fundamental design decisions that everyone should consider while creating a space

bedroom with green accent wall

Basic Interior Design Rules

While there is no one size fits all formula, there are some basic principles that will help you master curating a beautiful room and home. The whole point of interior design is to create rooms that answer the needs of the individuals living in them, while being aesthetically pleasing, with good functionality, flow, and feel. And these things are achieved by following some fundamental rules. Once you’ve made sure you check them, you can go wild.

The whole point of interior design is to create rooms that answer the needs of the individuals living in them

interior design rules living room in gray

#Mix Textures

This is a very simple designer trick that can really elevate a space with minimal work. Designers love to add multiple textures to any space. You can easily play around with this by mixing textures of accents such as rugs, throw pillows, cushions, blankets, and so on. You should also mix materials like metals, woods, woven fabrics and more. Don’t be afraid to experiment.

This is a very simple designer trick that can really elevate a space with minimal work

mixed tectures in living room

#Fake Heights

We are not all blessed with tall, high ceilings. And if that is the case in your space as well, designers recommend to fake some height. You can do this by choosing low-profile furniture like sofas, beds, and coffee tables to help create an illusion of height. It’s also a good idea to mix in some tall, but slim furniture like bookshelves to help draw the eye upwards and make the feeling that there is space. Mixing up height variations also helps to give a more relaxing vibe to the space.

We are not all blessed with tall, high ceilings

small living room with couch and book shelves

#Layer Lighting

Just like layering textures is a must, layering lighting is also a must. Rooms with just one type of lighting source often feel two-dimensional. And lighting plays such a big role in setting the mood of the room. That’s why you need more than just one overhead light. It’s recommended you add in at least a couple of sources – from overhead lamps to floor lamps. Make sure you have variety and go for a fun design and not a basic one. Also don’t underestimate bulb color.

Go for a fun lamp design and not a basic one

different overhead lamps dangling

#Mirrors

Mirrors are a great way to spice up a room. They come in a ton of shapes, sizes and colors, which means that there is something for every home aesthetic. But designers love them for other reasons. Mirrors are great at adding light and depth to a room. They also reflect the room view, which visually expands the space, making it a great choice for smaller rooms. Mirrors are practical, useful, and look amazing.

Mirrors are a great way to spice up a room

circular mirror hanging in cordior

#Add Art

A home without art is just blank and plain. Art helps bring color, texture, and personality into a space. It’s also a great way to express who you are, what you like, and what are your interests. Once you’ve chosen the right pieces, it’s very important to hang it correctly, so it is used to its full potential. It’s important you don’t position pictures and painting way too high. The perfect height for any artwork is around eye level. This is a general rule. If you have smaller art pieces you can hang it above a side table, next to a lamp, in relation to other pictures, and so on.

A home without art is just blank and plain

painting on mantel

These were some basic interior design rules designers want everyone to know. We hope you found this article useful. Now you know the most important design tips and tricks and can create a beautiful space.

These were some basic interior design rules designers want everyone to know

living room design with gray couch

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John Griffith

John Griffith is a young, passionate journalist. Writing has been John’s hobby ever since he was a boy. He has worked in some of the UK’s most successful news portals over the course of his professional career but found his forever home at Archzine.