9 Design Rules I Learned from Touring Interior Designers’ Homes

Imagine if you could go inside your favorite designer’s homes. Well, if you’ve been watching Homeworthy on YouTube, you know it’s a behind-the-scenes tour of interior designers’ homes.

I have been binge watching it because, honestly, it’s better than TV. It’s a rare window inside the homes of people who do design for a living – something you don’t see anywhere else.

The Reality of Time

One thing you hear all designers say is that it’s taken YEARS to get their homes to look like this. It did not happen like it does on TV with Joanna Gaines. Designers collect and mine their interiors, perfecting their homes for years.

It’s basically a continuous process. They’re always evolving their spaces and finding new things on their travels or on Facebook Marketplace. It’s never truly finished, and it certainly doesn’t happen quickly.

Art: Taking Risks and Building Collections

Art is one of the most difficult things to pick out because it’s such a reflection of your personality. However, designers are risk-takers when it comes to art. They don’t limit themselves to one style or price point – their collections often include pieces found at garage sales, thrifted treasures, and family heirlooms.

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They love to mix and match, moving pieces around until they feel right. If you want your house to feel more curated, start collecting art that speaks to you, regardless of whether it’s “perfect.”

The Art of Rug Layering

Most designer rooms have multiple rugs, with layering being a common practice. Even if you find a rug you love that’s too small for the space, they simply layer a bigger rug underneath.

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Many rooms feature four or five rugs because they know rugs are excellent for tying color palettes together. And here’s a secret: many of these rugs come from secondhand sources like eBay and Etsy.

Breaking Space Planning Rules

Designers often ignore traditional space planning rules in their living rooms. While they maintain necessary traffic flow, they prioritize seating and coziness over conventional layout guidelines.

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Many incorporate multipurpose seating like tufted ottomans or extra chairs that might seem too large for the space, maximizing seating capacity over traditional spacing rules.

Lighting: Where the Magic Happens

You won’t see many designers who favor recessed lighting. Instead, their homes feature an array of lamps, chandeliers, sconces, and picture lights. While you might think this requires extensive electrical work, there’s now a world of plug-in options available that can achieve the same effect without rewiring your home.

Examples of plug in lighting
Examples of plug in lights

The Hidden TV Approach

An obvious television is rarely seen in designers’ homes. When present, it’s usually a Frame TV or hidden behind furniture or doors. The TV is almost never an obvious focal point in their living rooms, suggesting they prioritize other activities or have designated entertainment spaces.

Personal Style Reflects Home Design

There’s a fascinating correlation between how designers dress and their design style. Their wardrobe often reflects their home’s aesthetic – from color preferences to pattern mixing. This carries through to their interior choices, where they confidently mix different fabrics and patterns, often breaking conventional design rules.

Multi-Function and Flexibility

Designers prioritize pieces that serve multiple purposes. An entry bench might double as living room seating, or a bookshelf might function as a buffet. This flexibility allows their spaces to evolve and adapt to different needs.

Sourcing Unique Pieces

Many designers are dedicated bargain hunters, regularly checking Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and local thrift stores. They understand that vigilance in these venues can yield unique, one-of-a-kind pieces that make a space special – without requiring a huge budget.

The Mix-and-Match Philosophy

Even the president of Ballard Designs deliberately avoids having her home look like a Ballard showroom. This reflects a universal truth about designer homes: they curate pieces from various sources to create a collected, personal look rather than adhering to a single brand or style.

Best HomeWorthy Episodes

One of the downsides of Homeworthy is that there are too many episodes. I’ve found as I’ve watched so many that if I don’t like the first 30 seconds I won’t like the rest of the video. In the first few seconds they give the highlights of the home.

I made a playlist of my favorite episodes so far. Which ones are your favorites?

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