8 Things Interior Designers Notice the Instant They Walk Through Your Door
If an interior designer were to walk through your front door, like, right now, what would this professional think of the place you call home?
We'll tell you right now: plenty. And that's even before you've given the pro the grand tour. Interior designers, with their sharply honed sensibilities, can take in a space in seconds. In fact, these pros can't help but make a ton of snap judgments—and typically these first impressions aren't all that good.
In case you're curious about what jumps out at interior designers when they first enter a home, here's an unsettling glimpse. But don't beat yourself up if you recognize your home in some of these scenarios; these flaws are common and entirely fixable. Read on for an inspiring home decor wake-up call.
1. A Wonky Flow
Does the furniture placement in your home promote good flow of traffic? Most living and family rooms have a focal wall that's anchored by a fireplace or television, which means the chairs and couch should be arranged to face this point without causing you to walk awkwardly around them.
This can be a challenge with an open floor plan, with pieces defeating the whole 'open' idea.
The solution: Less is more. Remove extraneous chairs and side tables to create a natural path in and out of the space.
2. Poor Lighting
The wrong lighting can ruin even the best interior design.
If the overall look of your home is dark and drab it’s usually because there's not enough of the right kinds of light.
Of course, we can't all be blessed with a flood of natural light, but you can install what you need rather easily. Sit in each chair or section of the room, and determine whether you can read easily. If not, add in the missing table or floor lamps; don't rely on one big overhead light. And opt for bulbs that boast a more natural feel.
3. Insane Clutter
Interior designers dream of a streamlined, junk-free look, which means their eyes will immediately come to rest on the hot mess that is your bookshelf.
Good rule of thumb… just because you have it doesn't mean it needs to be on display. Pick and choose a few sentimental or interesting pieces to show off and put the rest away.
4. A Lack of Theme
Style continuity is a big one for design pros. If your pieces don't work well together or there's no unifying color or theme to the rooms, the whole look can feel off.
This seems to come from a lack of understanding of the style elements and characteristics of the pieces in the room. Too many colors, in particular, can create a sense of disorder. Make it better by choosing a neutral palette and then introducing just a couple of coordinating hues.
5. That (Ahem) Smell
Interior designers make snap judgments not just on what they see, but also on what they smell. As a homeowner, you've become inured to your own odors, but an outsider can nail a scent right away.
Pets are the most obvious offenders, followed by cooking smells and odious candles. Fortunately, the remedy is an easy one; open the windows as often as you can to air out stale spaces (especially in bedrooms and the kitchen).
6. The State of Your Loo
The hard truth: Your bathroom must be pristine!
Interior professionals (and potential buyers) will look with a critical eye at every bathroom in your home, and a dirty one will convince them that the entire home isn't clean, even if it is. Towels must be fresh, grout should be clean, and definitely clear your counters of personal items (makeup, hair dryer, toothbrush).
7. No Sense of Scale
We're talking tiny lamps on huge tables, or king-size beds squeezed into too-small rooms.
Layout and scale is more noticeable than you think. Sometimes it’s a result of buying a whole package at the furniture store instead of choosing complementary items in the correct sizes for your home.
To fix this, try to mix and match your styles and the stores where you shop. You'll end up with a more interesting, inviting space.
8. A Lack of Personal Style
Let it shine! A lack of personality in a home means your space will appear boring or sterile. Even worse is a look that's been copied directly from a catalog. A designer can certainly help you develop a style, but you can also jazz up your abode with art you love, mementos from a faraway trip, or a collection that has special meaning.
YOUR TURN
What’s your biggest interior design challenge? What have you completely aced you’d like to boast about? Share your comments and pictures on the Shannon McCarthy Team Facebook Page, Twitter or LinkedIn, or on our Instagram feed. And don’t forget to subscribe to our monthly HOME ADVICEtm email newsletter for articles like this one delivered straight to your inbox. You may unsubscribe at any time.
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