Easy Changes, Big Impact

Creating a decorator look without a big-ticket budget may be easier than you think. Libby Langdon, interior designer, author, business owner, furniture designer and design makeover expert for “The Rachael Ray Show”, shares her interior designer tricks of the trade with HomeYet.com.

Choose contrast, rather than “matchy-matchy.”
When everything “matches” or is in the same color tone, a room can sometimes look a little blah. But if you bring in a hint of a lighter or darker tone, the effect can add depth and dimension to a space, as well as a little personality.

Hang it up (high!).
Hang drapes and blinds where the ceiling meets the wall. This draws the eye upward and makes the ceiling look higher, which makes a room look larger. It also can make a room feel very comfortable and look super luxurious.

Don’t buy furniture in “sets.”
Designers never buy furniture in sets, as it can look stiff and uninteresting. Don’t be afraid to mix it up—combine old pieces with new pieces or modern furniture with antiques. How do you know if it will look right? There are no rules. If you own pieces you love and cherish, they will all work together and you’ll be creating your own signature style.

Color walls, not furniture.
Designers love to redo their own spaces more often than the average person, and they know the quickest and least expensive way to completely transform a space is with a few cans of paint. If you buy neutral furniture (tan, black, white or gray), you can easily change your wall color to create an entirely new look. If you have a red, blue or green sofa, however, you are limited in the changes you can make—they may be more subtle and less gratifying.

Mix textures and surface.
Combine several different textures such as silk, suede, wool, linen, chenille and cotton to add visual interest to your space. If all the furniture in your space is one texture (cotton), your room may lack dimension and appear “cold.” Mix surfaces on furniture as well, such as wood, iron, glass, mirror, rattan and steel. Again, this will help create a look that is all your own and appear less “cookie-cutter.” Remember to have some fun with your space!

Think threes.
An important part of what interior designers do to create an overall look is the “styling” of the space. This is when they take accessories, simple or ornate, and artfully arrange them on shelving, mantles or tabletops to give a space a homey, lived-in look. The trick to arranging items like a pro is to think in terms of threes. Two vases on a shelf are too few, and four vases too many. But three vases are just right! Similarly, mixing three items of varying heights balance an arrangement. The rule of three applies to most items, from pillar candles to vases. Just remember: Don’t go overboard, because you don’t want your spaces to look cluttered. A little styling goes a long way!