70 Genius Interior Design Secrets From the Experts
It’s basically like a free design consultation.
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Every interior design lover can benefit from having a pro in their corner, cheering them on. Even people who have an expert eye for decoration look to their Pinterest boards for confirmation before committing to a change in their home, right? It takes a special expertise and years of experience to develop interior design sources and knowledge about things like lighting and floor planning. A professional’s input is helpful whether you’re a DIY genius or a crafting novice.
Knowing your favorite designers’ interior decorating secrets would cure the analysis paralysis you feel every time you need to buy a sofa or choose a paint color at The Home Depot. Imagine the peace of mind you’d feel if you had an authoritative source to answer all of your burning questions, like: “How do I make the exterior of my home feel more welcoming?” or “Will I regret putting up wainscoting?” We all need a guru who can help us tell fleeting interior design trends from timeless ideas that are cycling back into style. That kind of knowledge is invaluable when you’re making permanent decisions about your home.
Because not all of us have an interior design expert on speed dial, we’ve looked to 70 of our favorite pros to share the decorating secrets they usually reserve for clients. Below, you’ll find clever tips and tricks that can solve every pain point in your home, whether it’s a studio apartment or a farmhouse.
For more specific interior design ideas:
Bring in Textures and Layering
“When things are really tonal, texture and layering are a must,” designer Michael Ellison says of this Nantucket home. He used plenty of natural stone, distressed leather, rattan accents, jute rugs, and faux-vellum walls to create this intimate gathering space for his clients, relying on the different textures to provide depth and interest to the entire home.
Combine Traditional and Modern
In this Los Angeles home, designer Jeremiah Brent explains, “The goal was to find the balance between the pedigree of traditional design and the playfulness of modern design.” By doing so, he created a spacious and beautiful retreat that encourages conversation and connection for a family that loves to entertain.
Don’t Knock a Fixer Upper
This once-dilapidated floating house didn’t look like it had much going for it when Donna and Eric Colson purchased it. “It was red-tagged, completely dilapidated,” Colleen Dowd Saglimbeni, founder of CDS Interiors, says. However, Dowd Saglimbeni was able to completely transform the structure thanks to its good bones and small but open layout, using the panoramic views of the bay as her jumping off point in designing the ultimate entertainment space.
Use the Ceilings for Balance
In this small maximalist’s home, designer Nick Olsen needed to capture his client’s more-is-more aesthetic without making the space feel too crowded, so he decided to paint the ceilings white. “With all this boldness, you need relief,” Olsen says. He also added in a range of earthy elements, like jute and bamboo, to further encourage the balance.
Bring in Local Elements
“We intentionally avoided competing with the picturesque marsh views and wove their tones into various spaces instead,” Cortney Bishop says of this Charleston, South Carolina, home. To do so, she looked to the outside elements, like taking inspiration from the live oaks along the water for the white oak flooring and cabinetry in the kitchen. She wanted to provide harmony in the entire property, creating “an immersive depth that seamlessly blends with the surrounding environment and the old trees,” as she puts it.
Lighten Up a Room With Woven Cane
In this elegant mudroom designed by Ashley Montgomery, the caned cabinet fronts serve practical and decorative purposes. They "provide airflow" to cabinets that hold farm clothes, boots, hats, and gloves, and their natural color breaks up the green woodwork. Such high-traffic areas can feel cluttered, but thoughtful details like caning can help calm the chaos.
Combine Strong Colors and Prints
While the concept might seem to clash, this bedroom designed by Leah Ring of Another Human includes rich colors and prints from patchwork textiles to ceramic items and paint, so it's only fitting that the artwork is multidimensional and unique too. "The bedroom gets great light throughout the day, so we wanted to go for a peachy color on the walls that would give it a nice glow with the sunlight," Ring explains. The bedroom "feels layered in a comfortable way but not too busy—[you] feel very serene when you’re in the room," Ring says.
Add Charm With a Cabinet Skirt
Meta Coleman was inspired by tile and color to give a California kitchen a refresh. She borrowed square footage from the living room to build this bright walk-in pantry. It's complete with plenty of storage, tons of countertop space, and adorable cabinet skirts that soften the room.
Match Blue With Any Other Color
The lesson here is that there are no downsides to practically any shade of blue. Designed by Kingston Lafferty, the artwork above the fireplace sets the tone for the bold color-blocking happening throughout the space, including the light green ceiling, the tonal walls and mantel, the Sputnik light, and the patterned chairs and drapes.
Lean on Timeless Tile
Avery Cox of Avery Cox Design, who loves a classic subway tile, can be found using mosaics and penny tiles as well. "If I'm really going for something special I'll select a hand-painted or marbled tile from somewhere like Balineum," she explains. Bonus tip: Customizations are having a moment in the tile industry, whether it's in your bathroom, kitchen, or bedroom!
Cut Tile for a Custom Look
"We typically cut readily available materials that are in standard sizes into smaller sizes of those same tiles," Jessica Geller of Toldeo Geller says for the 2021 Whole Home. The design duo used the budget-friendly method to create the custom tile design in this bathroom.
Update an Appliance With Wallpaper
Have ugly appliances or simply want to change things up? Cover them up with peel-and-stick wallpaper, as designer Janie Molster did to the fridge and freezer in this kitchen. It makes the room feel more quirky and fun.
Balance Playful and Sophisticated
You can mix colors and patterns that'll push the envelope but still remain stylish and authentic. Just take it from designer Anthony Gianacakos, who did so in his own bedroom. "My strong suit is color and pattern combination," he says.
No Window? Use a Mirror
In a basement room with no windows, Camila Pavone of Effortless Style Interiors came up with the idea to combine two mirrors to fake a window. It brightens up the space and makes it feel bigger.
Soften Up Stainless Steel
Stainless steel can feel so harsh, but if you still want the material present in your home, there was ways to make it feel softer. "We love how this finish surface interacts with light; it is soft, subtle, and welcoming," says Suzanne Stefan of the stainless steel matte finish in her kitchen, which she created using a Scotch-Brite sponge.
Use Your Collections
"I wanted to fashion a space where you could have a friend over for coffee or tea…and actually use your collected china," says Marie Flanigan of this tea room she designed for the 2020 Whole Home. It's proof that any collection can be a jumping-off point for a room.
Hide a Radiator With a Cabinet
A radiator can easily throw off your design vision. Make it a part of the room by building a cabinet over it, as Leanne Ford Interiors did here to reclaim the hallway space and turn it into a beautiful little reading nook.
Create a Personal Oasis
Don't underestimate the importance of a personal sanctuary. "I wanted it to feel like being wrapped in a warm blanket," says Melissa Rufty of this Southern library. She added plush fabrics and rich colors to feel enveloped in the room every time it was entered.
Try Lacquer Wallpaper
Skip out on the real stuff. "If someone draws on it, it's a lot easier to repair than real lacquer!" says designer Corey Damen Jenkins. It's much more child friendly too.
Make Your Own Art
"Purchase a few matted frames and pop in your own sketches of abstract art. The picture mats will look expensive, and you'll have your own personal touch on the walls for guests to admire," says interior designer Eneia White.
Meghan Shouse is House Beautiful's Assistant Editor, a role she has held since September 2023. On top of being the magazine's go-to Waco expert, Meghan also touches on quite a few other verticals in the digital space, like hot news content featuring your favorite HGTV stars, home design inspiration, and the latest interior TikTok trends. However, her favorite pieces are the ones that start conversations, such as stories about resale value and whether or not the Solo cup is chic. Before becoming a home writer, Meghan worked in the fashion industry for two years, writing for Harper's Bazaar after graduating from Iowa State University with a bachelor's degree in apparel merchandising. When she's not interviewing interior designers about home trends, you can find Meghan reading a fictional thriller with her cat in her lap, planning themed parties, or strolling through flea markets searching for chunky candle holders and vintage bookends.
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