8 Essential Interior Decorating Rules: Design Basics

Wondering what interior decorating rules are the ones you really need to know? These 8 simple rules are the ones I never break!

It’s one thing to love decor and design (as I’m sure we all do), but quite another to put a room together completely so that it’s balanced, beautiful, and inviting. And much of that depends on knowing the rules. And when it comes to decorating there are a lot of them!

Though some design rules can be broken, these 8 rules are the essentials – the ones I never break. These interior decorating rules make a huge difference between a room that feels ‘off,’ and one that feels cohesive and pulled together. There really is a feeling when you walk into a room that’s done right – you know it instantly.

And these rules are specific things that are easily changeable today. I can’t think of anything less helpful than vague, non-specific rules like “understand your space.” The interior decorating rules we’re sharing today are practical, actionable tips that will make your spaces look immediately better! 

 

Don’t Hang Your Art Too High

Out of all the things we’re covering today, this is the design mistake I see the most by far! When your art is hung too high it looks like it isn’t part of what’s going on in the room. And rather than adding to the room, it’s the first thing you notice being off. 

Art should be hung at ‘eye level,’ which for decorating purposes is roughly 60″ from the ground. The height from the ground to the center of your artwork should be 56″ – 60″. Often designers go on the lower side of that equation – I tend to stick with 59″ – 60″. 

 

If you’re hanging two or more pieces of artwork over one another (vertically) or a grouping, treat them as one large piece. Find the center point of the height between them and use the same rule.

Another tip: for any groupings of art, hang things closer together than you would think. 1 1/2″ – 2″ is the approximate space that should be between any pieces in a gallery wall or grouping.

 

 

Go with the Biggest Rug You Can

When it comes to rugs, bigger is always better!

The standard rule of thumb for rugs is that every piece of furniture should have at least the front legs on the rug. However, most rooms will look best when all the furniture is completely on the rug, if possible. You’ll see that often designers have either all of the furniture on the area rug, or at least everything but the sofa. 

 

Ideally, get the biggest rug you can for the room, while still allowing roughly 12″ – 24″ of bare floor between the edges of the rug and the walls of the room. This will not only anchor the room but actually make it look larger.

When you try to go too small it tends to look like a postage stamp in the middle of the room and rather than enlarging the space, will actually make it look smaller!

 

 

Don’t Hang Your Chandelier Too High 

It’s amazing how I’ll see a pretty room on Pinterest or Instagram, and the chandelier is miles above the table! If we’re talking over a dining table, it’s imperative that your chandelier or pendant hang so that it’s low enough to be connected to the overall space.

 

This means the bottom of the fixture should be 30″-32″ from the top of the table for standard ceilings (8′-9′ high). If your ceilings are higher, add approximately 3″ for every additional foot of ceiling height. 

 

 

Add Something ‘Old’ to Every Room

Nothing could be more true! There are a lot of designers that I love, who do absolutely beautiful work, but sometimes the houses can feel sterile or more like a model home.

Adding something vintage, whether that’s a piece of furniture, a rug, or even just a vase can go a long way toward making the space feel more more personal and layered.

 

By adding antiques or vintage pieces, you bring character to the space. This is what makes a home feel collected and not just decorated. It brings soul to the room – and even a small piece has a big effect!

For instance, I love an antique pitcher or rustic vase in a newly designed kitchen. It brings just the right amount of warmth and texture.

 

Hang Drapes High & Wide

Ideally you should hang drapery rods as high as possible above the window casing or trim. This creates the illusion of height, making your room and windows feel taller.

 

A good rule of thumb for the average window is to mount the rods 4″ to 10″ above the trim if space allows. If you want to go all the way to the ceiling, that’s also fine and elongates the room even more. As far as width, you want to mount your drapes 4″ – 10″ beyond the window casings on either side. 

Going higher and wider with your draperies will create the illusion of bigger windows and higher ceilings. The best place to get affordable, semi-custom drapes is Two Pages, in my opinion. I spent so much more on custom in my former home!

 

Make Sure to Have Some Negative Space

This is a rule that’s often overlooked because I think most homeowners don’t really know about it. Don’t feel like you have to cover every inch of the floors with furniture, or every wall with artwork (I did this in my first home!). By leaving some negative space it gives the eye a rest and keeps the room from looking overstuffed. 

 

When a room is over-decorated, it takes away from all the pretty decor you love and have spent time finding and buying! Rather than a cohesive space, you end up with one that just feels cluttered and far from the inviting and beautiful space you’re going for.

Make sure there are a couple of walls in each room that are bare, and likewise, that you don’t have furniture on every single wall, either. When there are fewer things, each object feels more intentional and impactful.

 

 

Buy the Right Size Coffee Table

A coffee table is a prominent piece in most living rooms, so it’s important to get the proportions right. Ideally a coffee table should be at least half, but preferably 2/3, the length of your sofa and roughly the same height (give or take an inch).

And though a ‘too small’ coffee table doesn’t look right, neither does one that’s too big, so try not to go too much over that 2/3 rule. Once you start looking, you’ll notice that the 2/3 measurement is really the ideal proportion.

 

 

Add Something Natural 

This might not be a decorating rule per se, but it is one of mine – and one I feel particularly strongly about! Whether it’s a large tree in the corner or flowers on a coffee table, adding something green to a space really makes it come alive.

And you don’t need a lot! Even a small potted plant adds much-needed life to a room – not to mention cleans the air and can even help reduce stress, and who can argue with that?

 

So if you think your rooms look off or you’re not sure what you’re doing wrong, take a look at these interior decorating rules and apply them to your own home. By changing a few simple things you can improve the overall look and flow of your spaces and get closer to where you want your home to be!

 

Sheila
xo

 

If you enjoyed this post, be sure to check out more design and decorating tips below:

8 Tips for Elevating Your Bedroom

10 Tips for Creating Timeless Interiors

9 Essential Elements That Make Your Rooms Feel More Finished