The Finishing Touch - Decorating Tips from 8 Designers

This comprehensive guide explores various aspects of home decorating, offering expert advice and insights to transform any living space into a dream home. It delves into a wide array of topics, from fundamental design principles to emerging trends and practical tips for every room. The 'Rule of 3' is introduced as a versatile design trick for styling everything from bookshelves to coffee tables, emphasizing balance and visual appeal. For those looking to furnish their homes affordably and sustainably, the article highlights six mid-century modern pieces that are valuable finds at thrift stores, encouraging a blend of vintage charm with modern aesthetics. Color psychology and its impact on creating a serene environment are discussed, with designers recommending eight specific Benjamin Moore paint colors known for their calming effects. The article challenges traditional decorating norms by presenting ten 'rules' that interior designers frequently break, urging readers to embrace creativity and personalize their spaces. Material trends are also covered, noting the shift from brass to a more understated metal as the 'it' finish for 2026, and exploring the powerful yet free decorating technique of negative space. Practical painting tricks are shared, such as methods to brighten dark hallways and the resurgence of wood paneling, detailing how contemporary designers are incorporating it. Additionally, the guide provides eight chic home upgrades that require minimal effort and highlights five furniture trends that are becoming obsolete in 2026. It introduces the folk-inspired paint trend, which is gaining widespread popularity, and the '3-T Method' as a shortcut to achieve a timeless and cohesive room design. Inspiration from hospitality is drawn upon, with five hotel-inspired design tricks to make a home feel like a cozy retreat. The article also touches upon Pantone's 2026 Color of the Year, noting its departure from previous design trend forecasts, and offers seven home staging tricks to make small spaces appear larger. Retro color combinations are making a comeback, and techniques for making fake plants look realistic are provided. Emerging paint trends like 'color capping' are presented as the next big thing for 2026 interiors, moving beyond 'color drenching' and beige neutrals, with an unexpected neutral (pink) taking over. The article also critically evaluates overrated decor trends of the year, offering insights from designers. Seasonal decorating is addressed with eight holiday decorating tricks for small spaces, alongside advice on maintaining wood furniture for decades and identifying valuable vintage finds. Tips for creating a cozier bedroom for colder weather and the biggest holiday decor trends of 2025 are also included. Looking ahead, six interior design trends predicted to define 2026 are outlined, with alternative wall treatments replacing shiplap. Common decor mistakes that make a home feel like a showroom are identified, with five designer-approved paint colors that evoke a 'forever home' feeling. Benjamin Moore's 2026 color forecast is analyzed, revealing eight paint shades expected to be popular. Outdated window treatments that age a home are discussed, along with popular fall 2025 paint color duos and tips for thrifting. Finally, the guide provides solutions for common decorating challenges, such as making low ceilings appear taller, choosing paint colors that complement existing decor, and the surprising versatility of certain colors for creating a relaxing atmosphere. It also covers DIY projects from the 2025 REAL SIMPLE Home, a 'puzzle trick' for furniture arrangement, the 'checkerboard technique' for walls, and a discussion on the relevance of open floor plans. The article concludes by examining the current status of farmhouse style, showcasing designers' favorite rooms, and identifying critical sofa details, along with advice on decorating with existing items, selecting home accessories, refreshing spaces seasonally, and common entryway mistakes. The guide also addresses flooring choices that easily show dirt and scuffs, and presents color palettes expected to dominate home design in 2026 and beyond, along with small-space design tricks inspired by cruise ships and designer-loved IKEA essentials. #HomeDecorating #InteriorDesign #DecoratingTips #PaintColors #FurnitureTrends #SmallSpaceDesign #Thrifting #VintageDecor #DIYHome

The selection of backsplashes and countertops represents a pivotal aspect of kitchen design, blending aesthetic appeal with functional necessity. While backsplashes offer extensive creative freedom to establish a kitchen's mood or reflect a client's persona, countertops, despite their practical role, contribute significantly to the overall beauty of the space. When these two elements are harmonized, they elevate the kitchen's design to an exceptional level. This article compiles insights from various designers who share their projects, demonstrating how backsplashes and countertops collaboratively create visually pleasing and highly functional kitchens. Genevieve Trousdale, principal designer at Circa Genevieve, emphasizes integrating nature into kitchen designs. She often uses natural stone, such as Elegant Brown Leather quartzite countertops, and stained oak cabinetry. The quartzite, with its brown, taupe, and deep-sea green hues, provides a grounding yet seductive horizontal surface. Custom oak cabinetry, featuring mullions designed to resemble a mountain range, complements the natural theme. Frosted glass in the upper cabinets mimics the sky, enhancing the outdoor ambiance. The backsplash, hand-painted with an olive tree on glossy white ceramic tiles, further extends the nature theme, symbolizing the client's desire for a unique kitchen that brings the outdoors in. An adjacent wall showcases a single olive branch with a bird, along with a metal pot rack for copper pots, adding both storage and display. The versatility of the white tile also allows for varied design treatments, as seen in another project where metal accents are used with the same tile. Lauren DeBello of Lauren DeBello Interiors notes the rising popularity of zellige tile for backsplashes due to its handmade, unique texture and timeless appeal. While white and ivory are common requests, DeBello successfully incorporated blush-colored zellige tile for a client seeking a 'wow' kitchen with a touch of pink. The tile is extended from countertop to ceiling on the focal wall, with floating shelves accentuating the height. White cabinetry and Vadara's Carrara quartz countertops, featuring subtle gray veining, ensure the backsplash remains the central design element. DeBello highlights quartz's durability and ease of maintenance as key reasons for its popularity among her clients. She also advocates for extending countertop material to the backsplash for a sophisticated, easy-to-clean look, and finds pleasure in assisting clients with these crucial selections. Rebekah Zaveloff, design director and co-founder of KitchenLab Interiors, employs a holistic approach to material selection, considering the overall vibe of the kitchen. She evaluates light and dark tones, colors, and the 'language' of each material, ensuring a balanced design where statement pieces are complemented by quieter elements. Zaveloff observes current trends such as zellige and hand-painted terracotta tiles, as well as marble with brass inlays and multi-stone mosaics. Antiqued mirror is also used in butler's pantries for light reflection. Full-height quartzite or marble backsplashes remain popular for modern projects. She prioritizes honest conversations with clients about material characteristics and maintenance to guide them toward informed decisions, especially concerning materials like marble. In older homes, Zaveloff often creates layered looks by mixing materials like natural stone, ceramic tile, and beadboard. An example includes a renovated 1890s home with Carrara marble countertops, a butcher block island, and a painted brick wall with subway tile, aiming for vintage authenticity. Mel McDaniel, founder of Mel McDaniel Design, encourages clients to prioritize personal happiness over trends in finish selections. In one project, she designed an eclectic French kitchen with vibrant colors and patterns, including black painted cabinets, a black and white checkered floor, and a rich blue True refrigerator. A New Ravenna Kelp Forest Alexandrite mosaic tile backsplash in blues and greens served as a unique focal point. McDaniel emphasizes that backsplashes can be a canvas for special design elements. For bold backsplashes, she recommends quieter countertop materials like quartz or natural stone, ensuring durability and easy maintenance. In this instance, Cambria Portrush quartz, with its soft white foundation and navy veins, was chosen to complement the striking backsplash. McDaniel sometimes starts with the backsplash to fully explore its design potential, recognizing its significant role in defining the kitchen's vibe. Erin Judge, studio director and senior designer at Kelle Contine Interior Design, focused on authenticity and raw materials for a new-construction home. In the kitchen, visible steel beams, wood accents, and concrete floors set the tone. A blackened steel ventilation hood, flanked by hidden cabinets, is contrasted by a small stack mosaic tile backsplash from Ann Sack’s Savoy Collection. The metallic glaze and Graphite colorway of the tile provide shimmer and texture, while its smaller scale balances the hood's heft. Caesarstone’s Organic White quartz countertops, with a waterfall edge on an 11-foot island, offer a soft white, consistent surface without excessive veining, meeting the client's preference for understated finishes. Judge notes the popularity of durable, low-maintenance quartz and quartzite. She often extends countertop material to the backsplash for a clean, contemporary look, especially with bold veining or texture. Porcelain slabs are also gaining traction for their varied textural patterns beyond natural stone, offering design flexibility and durability. #Backsplashes #Countertops #KitchenDesign #InteriorDesign #NaturalStone #Quartzite #ZelligeTile #HomeRenovation #DesignTrends

This blog post addresses common home decor mistakes that can detract from a space's aesthetic appeal, drawing on insights from interior design experts Tami O’Malley, Erin Carlson, and Niki Cheng. The article identifies five specific items that designers consider "tacky" and offers advice on how to avoid them or choose better alternatives to create a more polished and curated home environment. The discussion emphasizes the importance of intentional decor choices to enhance, rather than diminish, a room's overall harmony and sophistication. The first item highlighted is unrealistic faux plants. While artificial greenery can be a convenient option for those without a green thumb, designers stress the need to select high-quality faux plants that closely mimic real ones. Overly plastic or visibly fake versions are cited as detrimental to a space's atmosphere, making it appear neglected rather than lively. The experts recommend opting for realistic artificial plants or, ideally, incorporating live plants to introduce genuine freshness and vitality. The second tacky item is artwork in irregular sizes or poorly framed pieces. The article points out that while art is essential for adding character and depth, inconsistent sizes or cheap, plastic frames can lead to visual disarray. Designers advise homeowners to be deliberate in their art selection, ensuring pieces are appropriately sized for their intended space and framed in a manner that complements the room's design, thereby contributing to a cohesive and refined look. Flimsy rugs are identified as the third decor item to avoid. Rugs serve a crucial function in anchoring a room and providing warmth, but low-quality options are prone to shifting, curling, and rapid wear, which can cheapen the entire space. The experts suggest investing in durable, high-quality rugs that offer structure and definition. Additionally, the importance of choosing the correct rug size is highlighted, as an ill-fitting rug can disrupt the room's balance and layout. Fourth on the list are dingy window treatments. The designers explain that poor-quality or outdated window coverings, such as flimsy panels, can instantly make a room feel dated. They advocate for clean-lined window treatments made from quality fabrics, tailored to the correct length, and featuring details like pinch pleats for a timeless appearance. Complementary elements such as sturdy curtain rings and well-made rods are also recommended to complete a sophisticated window ensemble. Finally, inexpensive floor lamps are cited as a common decor misstep. Lighting plays a significant role in establishing a room's mood and ambiance. Floor lamps with awkward proportions, cheap finishes, or excessive ornamentation are noted for their ability to detract from a space's design, making it appear unpolished and dated. The article advises researching various styles and colors to select a floor lamp that harmonizes with the existing decor, ensuring it enhances the room's atmosphere rather than creating a kitschy focal point. #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #DecoratingTips #HomeStyling #DesignersAdvice

Distinguishing between an interior designer and an interior decorator is essential when seeking professional help to transform a space. While both professions aim to enhance the interior of a space, their roles, qualifications, and services differ significantly. Interior design often requires extensive formal education and training, typically involving studies in color theory, fabric knowledge, computer-aided design (CAD), drawing, space planning, furniture design, and architecture. Graduates often complete apprenticeships before establishing their own practices. In some regions, interior designers must pass an exam and register with a governing council, indicating a higher level of professional regulation due to the structural and safety aspects of their work. Interior designers are equipped to handle spatial planning, designing, and renovating interiors, which includes drawing initial floor plans and overseeing structural changes. They collaborate with architects and contractors to ensure that both the aesthetics and functionality of a space are optimized, whether for residential, office, or hospitality projects. Conversely, an interior decorator primarily focuses on the beautification of a space through style, color, furniture selection, and accessories. Formal training or specific educational degrees are not typically mandatory for decorators, as their work usually commences after structural modifications are complete. Their expertise lies in the surface appearance of a room. Many professional decorators, however, pursue courses in color, fabric, room layouts, and furniture styles, and certifications from organizations like C.I.D. (Certified Interior Decorators International) can authenticate their practices. Decorators excel at visualizing and implementing aesthetic changes, assisting clients with style choices, color schemes, purchasing furniture, selecting window treatments, and accessorizing. They frequently work directly with homeowners or business managers, collaborating with furniture makers and upholsterers to achieve the desired visual outcome. Both interior designers and decorators typically charge for their services on an hourly basis for consultations, visits, and the development of decor presentations. Alternatively, they may use a flat rate or a commission-based fee, calculated as a percentage of the total project cost, which includes materials, furnishings, and contractor fees. On average, a professional can add 10% to 45% to the project cost, with fees ranging from $1,500 to $15,000 or more, depending on the scope. The choice between hiring a designer or a decorator hinges on the client's specific needs. If a project involves structural changes, such as altering walls, moving plumbing, or adding windows, an interior designer is the appropriate choice due to their expertise in structural planning and ability to work with architects and builders. If the objective is purely aesthetic—like selecting wallpaper, paint, furnishings, or accessories—an interior decorator is well-suited to provide guidance and execute the vision. Ultimately, the distinction often blurs in practice, as many designers perform decorating tasks, and experienced decorators might capably handle projects involving contractors. Therefore, when hiring, it is crucial to clearly define project needs, review portfolios, check references, and inquire about credentials, experience, and partnerships. The most important factor is selecting a professional whose skills align with the project requirements and who understands the client's aesthetic preferences, ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, and a transparent fee structure. #InteriorDesign #InteriorDecorating #HomeDesign #DecoratingTips #DesignProfessionals #HomeImprovement #SpacePlanning #AestheticEnhancement