4 things you don’t know about home design… but should

If you have a well-designed home or apartment, it’s probably the case that you have at least a little bit of innate design sense – the kind that comes naturally. Maybe it is just a feeling you have about how things should look or a strong personal preference for some items over others. If this isn’t the way you see furnishings or home accessories, not to fear. It certainly doesn’t mean that you can’t have a well-designed, envy-worthy apartment.

Some of the best advice we’ve ever gotten about furnishing and decorating our place has been the most basic of insight. Here’s a few tips that you might want to benefit from, too.

1. Less is always more. I’ve never liked my apartment more than after I took a lot of my furniture out and gave it away. The pieces that remained behind took on more importance in the room and looked better than ever before because no frivolous items were distracting the eye. This worked especially well in the bedroom, where more empty space made the whole room look much bigger.
2. Art must be personal. If the artwork hanging on the wall doesn’t mean anything to you, it just shouldn’t be there. When someone asks: “Where’d you get that painting/piece?” you want to be able to have a great meaningful story to tell them in response. If you don’t, frankly, you should make one up.
3. Every room needs at least three textures. It’s easy to think about colors as the focus of any design scheme. But I’ve come to realize that textures are actually just as important, if not more so. This rule encompasses everything from the flooring to the walls to the rugs, curtains and furnishings. There are some textures that just aren’t compatible – like tweed and satin, or lace and corduroy. Finding the right balance between smooth, soft and sleek.
4. Something growing is always good. Whether it’s a plant, a tree, or just some fresh cut flowers from your local farmer’s market, bringing the outside into your home is always a smart move. Potted trees or plants are always better to maximize your budget dollars, but they must have sunlight (and water!) to live and prosper.

What are your personal home design secrets?