Key Points
\nVaulted ceilings and hidden outlets instantly elevate a home\u2019s design.Photograph your space to spot layout or design flaws.Refine furniture placement, layer lighting, and add tall greenery for impact.<\/p>\n
One of the qualities we love most about interior designers is their ability to see the potential in any space. Show them a room that lacks beauty or is a completely blank slate, and they’ll raise you a magazine-worthy end result.\n<\/p>\n
We asked three interior designers to share some of their go-to design secrets<\/a> that have the most dramatic impact on a project, and they didn’t gatekeep.\n<\/p>\n Meet the Expert<\/p>\n Suzanne Barrow<\/a> is the founder of Barrow Interiors, a boutique Charleston-based interior design studio. Vaulting the Ceiling <\/p>\n Credit: <\/p>\n Dekay & Tate<\/a><\/p>\n Designer Suzanne Barrow considers vaulted ceilings<\/a> to be the ace up her sleeve. In fact, any time she is working on a major renovation or new build, she almost always includes a vaulted ceiling in one or two rooms.\n<\/p>\n “A vaulted ceiling adds architectural character,” she says. “Whether it\u2019s a subtle pitch, exposed beams, or a full cathedral style, it turns the ceiling into a focal point, transforming what\u2019s often ignored into a defining design feature that dramatically elevates the house design.”\n<\/p>\n Want more design inspiration? Sign up for our free daily newsletter<\/a> for the latest decor ideas, designer tips, and more!<\/p>\n Hiding the Outlets <\/p>\n Credit: <\/p>\n Ashley Montgomery Design<\/a><\/p>\n Designer Yvonne Harty fully believes it’s the little details that have the power to transform a space. That’s why if there’s a way to hide an outlet in a project, she’s going to do just that.\n<\/p>\n While hiding outlets with furniture is a good solution for living spaces, she has a special trick for kitchens.\n<\/p>\n “One of my favorite tricks in kitchen design is to hide outlets under upper cabinets, in drawers, or using flush-mount outlets to keep backsplashes clean and visually uninterrupted,” she says. Looking at the Space Through a New Lens <\/p>\n Credit: <\/p>\n Calimia Home<\/a> \/ Photo by Jeanne Canto<\/p>\n According to designer Reanna Channer, taking a photograph of a space will help you see it with fresh eyes. This is especially helpful when dealing with a room where something feels off but you aren’t quite sure what needs fixing.\n<\/p>\n “Early in my career, before I could afford a professional photographer, I spent countless hours trying to capture my work on camera,” she says. “This turned out to be a powerful tool that taught me everything about what not to do in a room. A photograph will show you exactly what needs to be tweaked in a space.”\n<\/p>\n Furniture Layout Comes First <\/p>\n Credit: <\/p>\n Desiree Burns Interiors<\/a><\/p>\n Channer is a firm believer that the key to a beautiful space starts with a good foundation. In the case of interior design, that’s the furniture layout<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n She finds that using an area rug as a guide for your furniture arrangement is helpful.\n<\/p>\n “It’s the ultimate tool for defining a space, grounding foundational furniture pieces, and creating a clear pathway for flowing through a room,” she says.<\/p>\n Layering Light Sources <\/p>\n Credit: <\/p>\n
\nYvonne Harty<\/a> is a Sacramento-based interior designer.
\nReanna Channer<\/a> is the founder of Design to Elevate, a Seattle-area interior design studio.<\/p>\n
With the trend of stone backsplashes<\/a> versus tile, this has become a priority.”<\/p>\n