6 Designers Spill the Decorating Secrets They Wish They Knew Earlier

Leave Some Blank Space

"I think, like most designers or stylists starting their career, there is a 'fill in every inch of a space with something really cool' mentality," says Emily Henderson of Los Angeles-based Emily Henderson Design. "But every design needs some breathing room. I definitely over-decorated a bit in the beginning. I would tell my younger self to chill a little because less can absolutely be more. Edit more and have fewer big moments."

Go All in on Wall Treatments

"When I first started working as a designer, I ended up doing a lot of accent walls for clients, whether it was with paint or—you know me—wallpaper," says Megan Hopp of NYC-based Megan Hopp Interior Design. "This accent wall business happened for a variety of reasons, but the most common was that clients were hesitant to go 'all the way' with a bold pattern or color for fear that it would be too crazy, or there was push back on wanting to commit that much of the budget to full wall coverings. 

"Let the record state that I am now all in on wall color or coverings. The difference between a fully attended-to room versus a single wall is striking, and there is no competition. I steer clear of accent walls now, and urge all my clients to paper the entire place because frankly, anything else is just not enough."

Design for Real Life

Designing for real life "means durable fabrics and finishes balanced with comfortable elegance and high style," says Mel Bean of Tulsa-based Mel Bean Interiors. "It means functional and efficient shared spaces, such as kitchens and living spaces. It means making sure each home represents the lives of the people who call it home. The end result is so much better in so many ways!" 

Mix Cool and Warm Tones

"In almost every project we design, we focus heavily on mixing cool and warm tones," says Bria Hammel of Minnesota-based Bria Hammel Interiors. "However, it wasn’t always this way! Mixing tones can often seem like an intimidating task, but once you find that perfect balance, you can truly create some magic.

"It’s the way we can make our designs timeless: If trends fluctuate between cool or warm, the space still looks current and relevant. We believe a room can be light and airy while still being inviting and intimate—why just choose one? Through mixing cool and warm tones, you can achieve that balance and contrast to make a space feel complete."

Make Everything Functional

"When I first started designing spaces, I did just that—designed spaces," says Shea McGee of Utah-based Studio McGee. "I wasn’t thinking about flow or the areas in the home that lead to those spaces. It’s important to not forget about hallways or how people move throughout and use the home (e.g. walkways, location of light switches, etc.). Not only does it help with function, but each space feels more cohesive and complementary to each other." 

Stick to a Budget

"Controlling a budget is a crucial part of every design project," says Abbe Fenimore of Dallas-based Studio Ten 25. "These days, I have a spreadsheet for each project that I use on a daily basis which allows me to keep track of every penny being spent during the process. When I first started my business, I wasn't the best at accounting for the delivery costs, installation fees, and taxes. Submitting invoices to my client with these added costs after they had already paid for the bulk of their furniture created frustration, and put added stress on their budget."