Ever wish you could pick a professional designer’s brain and ask them what they most definitely would avoid while tackling an interior project? You may find yourself wondering if there’s a certain paint color that’s a major no, or whether it’s acceptable to place one bulk order from your favorite retailer and call it a day.
While most of us don’t just have an interior designer BFF on speed dial, we’re here to help by bringing to you the next best solution: a list of 15 things that interior designers swear that they would never do. Read on—some of their answers may surprise you.
Never Purchase Every Furniture Item From One Retailer
“I would never source all the furniture for a room from a catalog or from a suite of furniture from a manufacturer,” says Hallie Henley Sims of Hallie Henley Design in Houston. “A room needs to feel layered and collected over time. In that vein, I would never design a project that didn’t incorporate antique or vintage pieces in them. These pieces help to tell the story of the clients who live there.”
Caroline Harvey of Simply CH Lifestyle & Interiors in Richmond, Virginia, agrees. “The idea of matchy-matchy home furnishings goes against that eclectic yet collected look I think most folks strive for, regardless of personal taste,” she says. “In the South, we’re so fortunate to have fabulous antiques and unique vintage pieces to fill our homes. It’s so much more fun to source individual items and see how each piece comes together to create a cohesive aesthetic.”
Never Play It 100 Percent Safe
“Never play it safe when it comes to design decisions,” says Leah Alexander of Beauty Is Abundant in Atlanta. “If it feels exciting but good, and just outside the confines of the comfort zone, do it. Remain in a place of yes.”
Never Use Bath Towel Bars
“We never use bath towel bars when designing a bathroom,” says Liz Goldberg of CAROLYN LEONA in Raleigh. “We have found no one ever has the time to neatly fold their towel over the bar; life is too busy! Instead, we use towel hooks and row them up for an organized and clean space—plus you can throw and go.”
Never Underestimate the Power of a Lampshade
“The most beautiful spaces are layered, and custom lampshades are a not to be overlooked opportunity to inject color, pattern, texture, and personality,” says Lindsay Speace of Lindsay Speace Interior Design in Raleigh. “We’ve done all manner of fabric shades, but in a recent project, we had a local artist hand paint a shade to match the botanical wallpaper, which might be my new favorite trick.”
Never Forget About the Fifth Wall
“Ceilings do not need to be relegated to basic white,” Speace adds. “Draw the eye up by painting or papering the ceiling. In a moody den we recently applied a gold leaf tea paper to the ceiling and the room just glows. In another project we painted the ceiling of the primary bedroom a subtle shell pink. Of course, in the south, Haint Blue is a perennial favorite for outdoor spaces.”
Never Forget To Take Measurements
“I would never purchase a piece without meticulously measuring to make sure it works within our design,” says Nashville designer Kate Figler of Kate Figler Interiors. “It is critical to measure from every angle, and this goes for everything from lighting to area rugs to artwork. We often create cardboard cutouts of light fixtures and put down blue tape to show furniture and rug layouts to make sure that we are spot on in terms of scale.”
Never Skimp on Area Rug Size
“Area rugs are focal components within our designs that work to both soften and ground a room; however, when they are too small they can completely throw off the design and look of a space,” Figler says. “I would never specify a rug that didn’t have furniture either entirely placed on it or half on, half off.”
Never Forget To Go Custom
“Customizing elements in a room is the best way to reflect a client’s personality,” says Isabel Ladd of Isabel Ladd Interiors in Lexington, Kentucky. “It can be as intricate as custom curtains or furniture, or it can be as easy as swapping out a standard white lampshade with a lampshade that is patterned or adorned in fun trim (just grab a glue gun).”
Never Design by Trend
“One thing I would never do as an interior designer is design by trend,” says Teri Clar of NAFASI Interiors in Charleston. “People always ask what inspires me, and the answer is, ‘The client.’ I honestly love too many styles and colors and patterns and fabrics to just choose from scratch or to follow what’s hot right now. I need to know what the client is drawn to and what makes them most comfortable.”
Never Forget To Study the Fabric Repeat
“Regarding a patterned fabric, always pull the fabric on its website to understand the repeat,” says Charleston designer Melissa Ervin of Melissa Ervin Interior Design. “Once, a fabric showed up with a two inch border that was not expected. Creative 101 problem solving kicked in and I was able to use it as a border on curtains. Once a drop repeat was not stated on the fabric tag, so extra fabric was needed once seen in person.”
Never Forget the Last Layer
“The devil is in the details,” Ervin says. “The beginning of the design process is the larger pieces of the room—upholstery, rugs, curtains—the end is just important with the art, pillows, accessories. The small pieces are just as important as the large.”
Never Install Blinds
“One design element I have vowed never to incorporate are blinds. Those thin, slatted, plastic monstrosities drive me insane,” says Dawn Heuer of The Heuer Design Collective in Atlanta. “Blinds can take the beauty away from even the best designed room, while roman shades and drapery are stunning accents and complements.”
Never Part With Heirloom Pieces
“I would never get rid of a client’s heirloom piece of furniture without first figuring out how to repurpose it,” says Ariene Bethea of Dressing Rooms Interiors in Charlotte. “I would consider all the options if the piece was of good quality. For example if it was a case good, can it be painted or stained a new color with new hardware? Maybe we can turn into a bar, a writing station or potting station? Or if it was upholstery can it be recovered, maybe change the legs or upholster the legs and place it in a different room.”
Never Use One Paint Color for the Entire Home
“While using a single paint color throughout a home can create a cohesive and unified look, it also has some drawbacks,” says Houston designer Laura Umansky of Laura U Design Collective. “The interior design of a home serves as a form of self-expression. It is an opportunity for individuals to showcase their unique tastes, interests, and personalities. By incorporating different paint colors, homeowners can create a space that reflects their personal style, making it a more inviting and authentic environment.”
Never Design a Completely Tonal Interior
“I love bright and contrasting interiors,” Umansky says. “While a tonal look is very chic and on trend, I personally love a bold design. Even if it’s just a pop of color, then make it fuchsia!”