Furnishing and decorating your home is no small feat—it’s a process filled with countless decisions and intricate details. Without the guidance of a professional interior designer, it’s easy for things to fall through the cracks. After all, there’s nothing quite like a trained eye to point out what’s not working. So, what do most people overlook? Here are seven design elements interior designers always notice in a home.
Light Fixtures
If you aren’t thinking much about your light fixtures, according to Kathy Kuo, interior designer and founder and CEO of Kathy Kuo Home, perhaps you should. “I always instantly take notice of the light fixtures in any space I walk into—I can’t help it! Lighting often gets pushed down on the list during a home refresh or redesign; there’s a myth that lighting is just practical, rather than a design element in its own right.”
Many people keep bad lighting because it’s easy, especially if they are already installed. But those old, ugly flush mounts don’t go unnoticed by a trained eye, notes Kuo. “I am always shocked at the amount of beautifully furnished homes I see with a dreaded boob lamp as the only lighting in several rooms. It’s always worth it to invest in a light fixture that adds to your overall design and reflects a sense of intention.”
Another problem with keeping bad lighting, whether it’s in a bedroom, living room or even a bathroom is that it means missing an opportunity for a prime design moment, explains Peter Yera, Director of Design and Development at Fine Art Handcrafted Lighting. “When I walk into a home, the colors, textures, and shapes and how they interplay are everything. Since I’m a lighting design expert, I always notice the room’s feature lighting first—whether it’s pendant, chandelier, flush, or semi-flush—and observe how the lighting plays off and interacts with the other design elements in the room, including wallpaper, furniture, accessories, and flooring.”
Window Treatments
You might not think much of the importance of window treatments, but designers including Jessica Nicastro, founder and Principal Designer of Jessica Nicastro Design definitely do. “I always notice if someone’s window treatments are the correct proportion and size. The one thing that will cheapen a home is too short of a window treatment or one that is mounted incorrectly. Spend your money on good window treatments, as they will last you the duration of time in your home.”
In addition to buying quality treatments, it’s crucial to make sure they are the right size and installed at the right height. So, if you aren’t hiring a pro to come in and measure, it’s essential to check your measurements more than once. “Properly sized drapery changes everything. When drapes are measured and mounted properly—extending generously beyond the window frame and kissing the floor—they elevate the architecture and frame the light in a way that feels intentional,” reveals Jennifer Sissom, Lead Interior Designer at Ryan Street Architects.
Part of this is also the mounting, so having a pro install your window treatments is a must. “We often notice when drapery is too short or mounted too low; it disrupts the visual rhythm and makes the room feel smaller or off-balance.”
Art Installed At The Wrong Height
From where to put various pieces to the physical act of hanging it—installing art can be almost as difficult as choosing it.
But do it the wrong way and people—especially designers—notice, according to Andrea Goldman, founder and Principal, Andrea Goldman Design. “I notice art hung at the wrong height, so that it either crowds the furniture or feels like it doesn’t relate to the rest of the space—this will always catch my eye. If it’s crooked, even in the slightest bit, I will also always notice that and be keen on adjusting it!”
Rug Size
When it comes to rug sizing, more is usually more. But, in an effort to save money, many people scrimp on rug size. However, this is a big misstep. “A rug that’s too small for the space will always look like a postage stamp in the middle of a room to me, and it feels like the furniture is falling off its edges,” says Goldman. “I’ll notice that in any space I enter, whether it’s a home, a hotel, or a business.”
Scale
Even the most beautiful piece of furniture won’t look as aesthetic as it can be if it’s the wrong size for the room. So, ensuring the scale is right is one of the most important things—especially for living rooms where comfort is key. “We’ve all been there—we move from one place to another and suddenly the sofa is too big, or the dining table is too small. Squeezing oversized furniture into a small space makes circulation challenging and your space will ultimately feel smaller than it really is,” says co-founder and CEO of Avenue Interior Design, Andrea DeRosa.
But scale isn’t only about trying to fit everything into a small space, explains the designer. “Conversely, if you have a large space and the furniture is too small, or there is not enough of it to adequately fill the space, you end up with a space that has an unfinished sensibility to it—it creates an uneasy feeling. If you’re a collector, my rule of thumb if you’re already maxed out, is when something new comes in, something has to go out, such as accessories like throw pillows.”
Furniture Arrangement
Just because furniture is arranged one way doesn’t mean it needs to stay that way forever. Getting the arrangement right can be a process. “As a kid I was constantly rearranging my bedroom—and it really felt like a new room every time,” reveals DeRosa. “Reimagining your furniture placement can completely transform a space. Don’t be afraid to be continually making changes and tweaks until it feels right. I often notice when a view is being underutilized or if chairs could be oriented to be more social. Is your dining table centered on the window in your dining room? Small things like that create balance and harmony that make a space instantly feel great without you being able to put your finger on it.”
Lack Of Personal Touches
Arvid Lithander, Creative Director and co-founder of Wild Palace wallpaper tells me he notices if a space has personal touches or if it just feels like a boring showroom without a personality. “I’ve seen homes where everything blends into beige and nothing stands out… and then I’ve walked into tiny powder rooms with bold wallpaper that completely steals the show. Or a laundry room that surprises you with a playful print. Even a mural used as a backsplash—those unexpected touches stay with you.”
This can be one of the biggest design challenges, but Lithander assures me, it’s not about being perfect—it’s about being personal. “Don’t be afraid to take a few risks or get a little wild. That’s where the personality shows up—and that’s what makes a home unforgettable.”
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