Plus pro tips on how to make the most of the good and minimize the bad.
For an interior designer, it’s their job to notice what an untrained eye may not.
As it turns out, theres quite a few things.
Credit: PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAUREY W. GLENN; STYLING BY KENDRA SURFACE
Walking into a room for me is like embarking on a visual adventure.
Amidst the details, several elements cry for immediate attention.
Odds are, their eyes wont immediately be drawn to a bright piece of furniture or particularly stylish accessory.
Heres what to look out for in your own home to see it through a new, expert-approved lens.
If a space is overcrowded, it feels uncomfortable to be in it.
Oversized furnishings, overcrowded furniture orworst of alla combination of bothmakes a space feel smaller.
Lighting
Lightingis a significant focal point for these designers, as well.
There is nothing more depressing to me than walking into a dark room, says Adams.
Rooms just feel sad without a big bright window or some excellent lighting.
For designer-approved lighting, consider a wide range of options.
First, Sara Malek Barney, founder and principal designer ofBANDD/DESIGN, takes natural lighting into account.
It allows for a bright and airy feel and enhances the mood of the room."
If theres not enough sun rays pouring in, Malek Barney she advises getting creative with electrical solutions.
When designing thelightingfor a room, Katharine Rhudy, principal designer atReed & Acanthusrecommends taking an ambient approach.
I prefer soft white light and always use dimmers to control brightness, she adds.
Walls
For designers, walls are a blank canvaseven if theyre not so blank.
Whether theyre fully embellished or left blank, designers eyes are sure to be drawn to walls.
In addition to whats on thewalls, Malek Barney says that she takes account of their construction.
To minimize how striking a low ceiling can be, Malek Barney recommends treating it as a fifth wall.
If you’re painting, for example,paint the walls and the ceilingthe same color, she says.
This can then help them know how to approach redesigning the room.
My immediate question is whether the room exudes personality.
I take a look at what kind of books are in the bookshelves, for example, says Nessbach.
Meanwhile, for Malek Barney, the question of personality is more of a feeling.
Does it feel homey?
Does it feel lived in?
Does it feel messy?
Does it feel dusty?
The biggest one that designers cant help but notice is thesmell of a room.
I have a nose like a bloodhound and can detect unpleasant or pleasant smells immediately, says Rhudy.
Does a house smell old and dirty?
Is there an overwhelming fragrance from candles which always makes me ask what they are trying to hide?
Clutter
We hate to break it to you, but your clutter isnt going unnoticed.
Clutter, clutter, clutter It drives me wild, and its the very first thing I notice.
Plus, clearing a space of clutter is free!
