6 Interior Design Experts Share the Best Decorating Advice They Have Ever Received

1 comment by Kimberly Foerst
Interior designers seem to know all the tricks for creating a beautiful and cohesive space. But they too had to learn from mentors, teachers, and even their own clients. So we asked a handful of experts to share the best decorating advice they have ever received. 

6 Interior Design Experts Share the Best Decorating Advice They Have Ever Received

Keep reading to learn the tips and tricks that these design professionals keep in mind while working on any new project.

6 Professional Interior Designers Share The Best Decorating Advice They Have Ever Received

Taylor HudspethThe best decorating advice I have been given is less is more. The most important thing I can do for my clients is to help them design a space that feels lived in yet free from clutter. Even during my design consultations, I start helping them organize and provide opportunities for more storage. I decorate in a very minimal and classic way so that my designs can remain timeless!
Taylor Hudspeth – www.homebytaylorllc.com
Denise O'ConnorThe best piece of advice that I was ever given is "Measure twice, cut once." This is an old carpentry saying; it essentially means double-checking measurements before committing. It's great advice and applies to everything from space planning to selecting or designing furniture. By double checking your measurements on the plan, you can be confident that the furniture piece or layout is going to work in the room.
Denise O'Connor – www.optimise-design.com
Emily WaughThe best piece of decorating advice I can give is don’t focus too much on trends! That doesn’t mean being afraid to try bold or new ideas, but realizing that what’s “trendy” will quickly be replaced by the next trendy idea before you can even implement it. However, good design on the other hand doesn’t quickly go out of style. Your space should be personalized to your own tastes and interests. Be YOU! Find pieces that are meaningful or that bring you joy, and make them focal points in your space. An interesting piece of artwork or collection of items, for example, can be a great conversation starter and make for a dynamic design.
Emily Waugh, IIDA – www.whausofdesign.com
Interior Designer Tamela BowieThe best piece of decorating advice I have received as an interior designer was to add in layers to create a high-end designer look. Layering a space gives it a 3-D luxurious look and feel and prevents it from being flat and uninteresting. 

Here are a few tips on how to layer a space for that high-end designer look.

1. Use big and bold decorative accents pieces.
2. Dress up the floor with a rug using interesting patterns and colors
3. Never discount the power of using wallpaper in a space to create depth and a “wow” factor
4. Add in task, ambient, and accent lighting
5. Add decorative trim to the window panels
Tamela D. Bowie – www.TamelaBowieInteriors.com
Karen Mills, Interior DesignerWhen I first started designing I devoured design books like crazy that hadn't been included in my formal design education. In one particular book a designer suggested placing all furniture in the rooms either parallel to the walls or all of them at a 90-degree angle placed around a focal point. She also suggested placing artwork/furnishings in a way that enhanced the shape of walls or ceilings like stair stepping art up an angled wall, for example, which seemed logical.

Of course after 1,200 design projects we've come up with our own version of how to best highlight the architecture with furnishings. You need to ensure your floor plan is not only balanced evenly in the room from one side to the other but also vertically in the room to create a better balance and flow along with using accent colors in strategic places to make more of an emphasis on the architecture.
Karen Mills – www.karenmills.net
Interior Designer Brad RamseyWhether I have directly received this advice or just personally learned it along the way, I'd say that it is important to do your homework before you purchase items for a space. Save photos, clip out inspiration images, and create a design board, either physically or on Pinterest, etc. to see how your potential purchases look together. Have a clear direction first to avoid impulse purchases. Use your inspirations as road maps to good design, but don't try to imitate an entire room you see in a photo. One of the keys to a space feeling personal is that it is unique to you! So, have fun creating!
Brad Ramsey – www.bradramseyinteriors.com


1 comment


  • Virginia

    I have tried to view your sites for curtains, drapes, valances etc. cannot find where to search.


Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.