100+ Interior Design Pro Tips and Tricks to Make Your Home Shine

In an ideal world, everyone’s home would look as though it just came off the pages of a designer magazine. But the reality for most people is that between jobs, kids, pets, and busy lifestyles, your décor often doesn’t fit the ideal you have in mind. These 100+ Pro tips and tricks are designed to help you make the most out of your interior design, no matter what your personal style, lifestyle, or budget.

Color Tips

Color is crucial to any design. Use these tips to help figure out the right palette for your home.

#1 Keep Cool or Warm Up

Color can visually impact how large or small a space appears. Use cool colors in small rooms to make it appear larger, and warmer colors in large rooms to make them seem cozier.

#2 Work with a Color Palette

Pick out a very small color palette, then stick with this throughout the process. When you have to conform to a set of specific colors, it helps you avoid impulse purchases. One great way to choose a palette is to find a picture that you love. The palette for this website in fact came from a gorgeous winter nature scape that we fell in love with. Since the colors worked so well together in nature, we knew they’d complement each other on the website.

#3 Complementary or Analogous

There are two basic interior design color concepts for most homes. Use complementary colors that sit apart from one another on the color wheel for dramatic impact, and analogous colors that sit beside each other on the color wheel for more subtle looks.

#4 Pull Accents from Existing Pieces

Things like your hardwood floors, art work, or fabrics may already have an accent color that you can use to tie in new pieces to those already existing in the space.

#5 Use Whites and Neutrals

Whites and neutrals both make great backdrops for rooms where there is a lot of color in the accents and textiles.

#6 Soft and Light

If you have small rooms, keep the colors soft and light; it will make the space look larger than it really is. Avoid stark, bold, or bright colors which can overwhelm a small space.

#7 Let Nature Inspire

Choose colors from nature or from a specific season to create built-in color palettes that blend seamlessly together.

#8 Don’t Forget Patterns

Patterns are filled with color that can really brighten up a room when mixed with plenty of neutrals or solids.

#9 Add Color and Texture Together

Add interest, color, and texture to your walls at once with wainscoting. Paint the wainscot a contrasting color to the rest of the wall to give it instant depth.

#10 Mix Metal Finishes

Don’t be afraid to mix metals in one room to add some interest to small spaces like bathrooms.

#11 Gloss up Ceilings

Make your walls look taller by using a very bright, glossy lacquer on your ceilings, rather than a flat white.

#12 Match Your Baseboards

Another way to make walls look taller is to paint your baseboards the same color as your walls to avoid the contrast of white.

#13 Update with Ease

For a fast makeover of any room, remember that a fresh coat of paint can work wonders.

#14 Pale Color Ceilings Dark Colored Walls

If you choose a dark color for your walls, don’t go white on your ceiling; choose a light color instead to avoid the stark contrast.

#15 Start with the Rug

If you’re unsure of where to begin your color palette, begin with a throw rug and pull your accent colors from there.

#16 Go Bold for Focus

To create a focal point, use bold colors in a concentrated area to catch and draw the eye.

#17 Flash Your Color

If you’re intimidated by color, keep the bulk of the rooms neutral and use small splashes of a single color to brighten things up.

#18 Two Tone for Tall Walls

If your walls are overly high, bring them back down in scale by utilizing a chair rail and a darker color of paint below it with a lighter shade above.

#19 Make It Personal

Keep your color scheme personal and pick up accent colors from favorite pieces and designs for a look that’s all yours.

#20 Pick Up Color Anywhere

You don’t have to limit color to the walls or large accents; use scarves, wall hangings, drapes, and lots of different textures and textiles to introduce color throughout a room.

#21 Same Color Different Texture

Vary the depth of color in a room by introducing the same color throughout different textures, sometimes layering on top of another for a startling depth of field.

#22 Stick to Three

Limit your color scheme in a room to three colors to prevent the space from becoming to visually busy.

#23 Keep Colors Similar

It’s fine to have clashing patterns in the room as long as you keep the colors the same throughout each design.

#24 Invoke Feeling

Use strategic color placement to invoke feelings. Use yellow to invite conversation and red to stimulate appetite, while blues will help induce calm.

#25 Create a Masculine Vibe

If you’re creating a masculine-themed room, opt for a nautical color scheme, including navy blue and white for a classic look.

Lighting Tips

Lighting is crucial to every room of the home. Whether you play up natural light or add artificial, it can make or break your décor.

#26 Use Three Types

Be sure to include ambient, task, and detailed lighting in every room to ensure all areas are well lit.

#27 Amplify with Mirrors

Reflective surfaces such as glass and mirrors help to amplify natural light in dark rooms, making them feel lighter.

#28 Make Light the Focus

A chandelier or oversized light fixture can become a focal point in any room.

#29 Scale to Furnishings

Make sure that your lamps are well scaled to the furnishings they are illuminating.

#30 Light Up Objects

Be sure to highlight things like paintings and artwork with spotlights to show them off to their best advantage.

#31 Use Playful Lights

Toe kick lights under your kitchen cabinets are a fun place to add colorful lights or blinking lights for instant mood lifts at parties.

#32 Invest in Great Lamps

Lamps not only add extra lighting, they can also enhance the rest of your interior design at the same time.

#33 Don’t Leave Lighting to Last

Lighting is the single most important part of any interior design. Plan it into your design from the beginning to have the biggest impact.

#34 Go Dramatic

Oversized and dramatic light fixtures can make any design pop when strategically placed.

#35 Include a Dimmer Switch

Dimmer switches let you instantly change the mood and lighting of a room, getting completely new looks to fit each occasion.

 Furniture and Furnishings Tips

Furniture is integral to every room. The pieces you choose need to reflect your design and your lifestyle together; these tips will help you achieve these goals.

#36 Pick a Focal Point

Focal points don’t have to be limited to the walls. You can always choose a really eye-catching piece of furniture instead.

#37 Go Plain for Patterns

If you love patterns and switching them out often, choose solid, plain colors for your furnishings. This will enable you to use more patterns on the pillows, throws, drapes, and other accents, changing things up as often as you like.

#38 Contrast Line

Contrast line your curtains to give them a little peekaboo of extra color, and to enhance your curb appeal at the same time.

#39 Go Round

Round tables work better in small spaces, because they’re easier to navigate around without worrying about corners.

#40 Do Double Duty

If you’re short on space, make your furnishings do double duty by looking for pieces that can convert to other functions. This includes ottomans that open for storage or oversized couch cushions that can become additional seating at a party.

#41 Limit Surfaces

If your home is small, limit the number of surfaces in one room to avoid clutter that will make it seem even smaller.

#42 Don’t Rely on the Walls

Move your furniture off the walls to create new layouts and conversation areas, or to delineate new areas.

#43 Update Your Hardware

If you have furnishings that appear generic or not in keeping with the rest of your things, swap out the hardware to give it a more personalized and updated look. At The Knobs Company, this is our specialty.

#44 Avoid Small Rugs

Always use the largest size throw rug you can afford for a space; using a rug that is too small will visually shrink your room.

#45 Use Rugs to Delineate

Use rugs to create specified areas within a room without having to rely on walls or barriers.

#46 Create Conversation Areas

Think about the way that you use each room, and invest in furnishings that can grouped to invite conversation or communication.

#47 Accent with End Tables

End tables are an important part of every room. They serve as a landing place for books, drinks, lamps, and other items. Make sure that you include them wherever you have seating to ensure that you have plenty of function in every room.

#48 Make It Symmetrical

Symmetrical furniture arrangements are more pleasing to the eye than those that are off center.

# 49 Invest in Cushions

You can’t have too many cushions, both for comfort and for style. Invest in oversized versions, then stuff them into slightly smaller covers to get a rich, full look.

#50 Reupholster for New Life

If you have furniture that has a lot of life left, but that doesn’t fit your new décor, reupholster it to get a fresh new look.

#51 Focus on Storage

Storage is key to a well-designed home. Invest in plenty of storage pieces to ensure you have a place for everything.

#52 Utilize Walls

In small rooms, make use of the walls with wall hung furnishings and shelves to make the floor plan seem bigger.

#53 Invest in Mirrors

Mirrors help enhance the natural light in a room, make an area seem larger, and inject some glamor into the space.

#54 Put a Focus on Your Bed

Your bed is the main feature in the bedroom, so put some focus there with a beautiful headboard, high-thread count sheets, and a soft duvet.

#55 Change Up Your Dining Room

Swap out the chairs you use in your dining room to get a completely new look in the same space.

#56 Use Old Pieces in New Ways

Take old antiques and give them new life in unexpected ways. Make an old buffet table your new hallway storage, or convert an old dresser into a bathroom vanity.

#57 Keep Function in Mind

Form is important in interior design, but remember that function needs to come first to make your home comfortable and useable.

Shopping Tips

How you go about shopping for your décor can have a major impact on the final results.

#58 Shop with a Critical Eye

This is especially important if you’re on a budget. Weigh everything you look at against what else you have in mind; spend on those things that will anchor the design, and fill in with cheaper accents.

#59 Plan for Sales

Visit things like sample and warehouse sales in your area when they occur yearly to score great deals you can build your design around.

#60 Look for Décor Everywhere

Yard sales, flea markets, and discount shops are just as likely to yield a treasure for your design as high end specialty shops are.

#61 Put Your Money on the Build

Put the bulk of your budget in the items that won’t change frequently, such as architectural details and lighting.

Planning Tips

Now that you’ve got an idea of what you’ll be doing, it’s time to plan things out. Planning is the most important part of any design, no matter what style you’re working with.

#62 Set a Budget

Set a budget early on so you know how much to spend on each item, and can avoid spending too much on any one thing.

#63 Start with an Accent Wall

By starting your planning around one major accent or area, you can create a cohesive design by spreading out from there.

#64 Begin with a Statement Piece

An alternative to starting on an accent wall is to choose one dramatic statement piece like a rug, drapes, or piece of art work and build around this.

#65 Pay Attention to Little Details

Match even the smallest details of the room to the larger elements to create a cohesive design that speaks of luxury.

#66 Look to the Flow

The flow or walk through of a room is crucial to its design. Take the time to map out the most often used routes through a room to make the most of furniture placement.

#67 Avoid Big Changes

Oftentimes a room or home can be transformed through small details, rather than large sweeping changes. Start small and only go big if you need more dramatic change.

#68 Keep What You Love

There are many ways to work around objects or accents you already love that don’t have a place in a new design. Try swapping out lampshades, painting furniture new colors, or updating hardware to give something new life.

#69 Indulge Trends Sparingly

Include trends only through inexpensive items that are easily changed out later for a fresh new look.

#70 Concentrate on One Room at a Time

It’s tempting to want to redo the whole house at once, but this can quickly overwhelm you and your budget. Stick to one room at a time to make better decisions.

#71 Find the Natural Focal Point

Every room has a natural focal point like a fireplace or a window. Find that point and set up the room so it naturally gravitates toward it.

#72 Decide What You Love

Whether you opt for trends or timeless pieces, it’s important to use the things you love, rather than what happens to be in style right now. This will ensure you stay happy with the design for longer.

#73 Create a Concept Board

Create an idea board of things that you like, including pictures of your home as it is. This is a great way to see how different styles and colors work together.

#74 Visualize the End Goal

If you don’t know what you want the ultimate design of the home to be, it’s hard to create a cohesive style. Visualize your end goal for the room, then work toward it at all times.

#75 Remember Your Lifestyle

Keep your lifestyle and the way that you will use the space in mind as you visualize your end goal to help make the final design the perfect blend of form and function.

#76 Purge, Purge, Purge

If your design is getting cluttered, begin purging it of anything that doesn’t speak to you or bring you joy to help clear it out.

#77 Don’t Rush

While it’s fine to set a time limit for how long you work on the design, it’s equally important that you don’t rush into things; take your time to find the perfect design for your space.

#78 Keep Your Architecture in Mind

Be sure to keep your home’s architectural style or setting in mind as you design. Often homes have a built-in palette of colors and details that can help give you a starting point.

#79 Use One Jarring Detail

Throw in just one detail from another style, design, or culture to create the perfect note of disharmony in a space.

#80 Layer and Blend

Avoid a flat looking design by layering in style, personal pieces, and individual accents to create a design that is uniquely yours.

#81 Choose Joy

Remember to choose pieces and items for the rooms that make you happy, to ensure that you’ll be thrilled with the finished results.

#82 Don’t Go Theme Crazy

Themes are fun to introduce, but can overwhelm a space if you take it too far. Limit your themed items to just a few to avoid going overboard.

#83 Avoid Safety

If you’re drawn to something that also scares you, choose this over a safer option to spice up your décor.

Finishing Tips

The little things are often as crucial as the larger ones when it comes to making the design.

#84 Focus on Accessories

Accessories are just as important as furnishings to the room. Spend time focusing on their placement to bring the room together.

#85 Mix Up Sizes

Mix up the sizes of accents that are placed together to bring more interest to a space.

#86 Throw in One Oversized Item

Put in one item that is much larger than the others to help create a resting place for the eye and add interest at the same time.

#87 Reflect You

Invest in pieces you could never bear to walk away from to help better reflect your true personality and feelings.

#88 Follow Your Instincts

Your instincts are nearly always right; if you’re second guessing something it’s better to take it out of the design.

#89 Take One Thing Away

When you feel like the space is nearly complete, trying taking one thing away rather than adding one thing more to see if that makes the difference.

#90 Create a Gallery Wall

Group a bunch of artwork, photos, mirrors, and other wall art together to create a gallery wall that can become the focus of the room.

#91 Add Plants

Add some plants or other greenery into your design to help freshen it up and improve the air quality at the same time.

#92 Invest in Washable Paints

Walls that can be wiped down will stay fresh looking longer than those that collect fingerprints. Spend the extra on washable paints to keep your design looking great.

#93 Tell Your Story

Let your belongings tell your personal story. Don’t shy away from putting out personal items that tell the history of your life.

#94 Don’t Simply Fill Empty Space

Never purchase something simply to fill a space. Make sure everything has a purpose of some kind with true meaning attached.

#95 Invest in Bespoke

Purchase one or two bespoke pieces for your home to tailor all the décor to your personality.

#96 Bring in Fresh Eyes

Bring in a friend, family member or neighbor to take a look at the design when you’re nearly done to get a fresh perspective on how it’s coming together.

#97 Listen to Yourself

Remember that you are the one living in the space after everyone else goes home. So listen chiefly to yourself about every choice you make.

#98 Push Your Boundaries

Your home can be the one place where you can branch out and stretch yourself through your décor.

#99 Reflect Your Family

Make sure that when you look around at your décor, you see signs of your family and yourself inside it.

#100 Don’t Forget the Pets

Be sure to incorporate your pets into your interior design as well, coordinating pet beds and niches for them to rest in.

#101 Take another Look at Function

Make sure that the choices that you’ve made are truly assisting the function of the room, otherwise it may be time to change them.

#102 Make It a Home

Add enough decorative items to your décor that the space feels like a home and not a showroom.