5 Questions Interior Designers Hear All The Time
A few weeks back, we hosted a fun “Ask Me Anything” through our Instagram stories (Currently saved in our "Fun Stuff” highlight reel in case you’d like to take a look!) where we got to answer many of your questions on topics ranging from paint colors to mixing patterns.
As expected there were a few repeat questions, and it got us thinking about the handful of questions Interior Designers always seem to get. Since they’re such consistently popular topics, we thought it would be a great idea to get a few of those answers down on (digital) paper where we could not only elaborate a bit more with our responses but have them captured somewhere for reference the next time they come up!
Here are the top five questions we hear all the time:
1. Why are (fill-in-the-blanks) so expensive?
This topic was explained more fully in both Part One and Part Two of our “Spend vs. Save” posts, but to recap briefly: You pay for quality on those pieces that you want to stick around for a while.
It’s somewhat perplexing to compare our collective willingness to spend on certain items we use every day like a car or a pair of shoes with our reluctance to spend on other items that we use just as often, such as a mattress, faucet, light fixture, or sofa, simply because they’re for the home. From a criteria standpoint, they’re functionally the same — we want to ensure they’re high quality so they’ll perform well and we’ll get our money’s worth out of them.
I generally blame this on fast furniture and other discount offerings (brands that are perpetually having a sale or special promotion) which undercut the industry’s value as a whole. While I guess there is a case to be made for cheaply made, low-cost home goods with a short lifespan (college furniture, limited budget, etc.), the oversaturation of these items coupled with our society’s desire to always find a deal can lead to some rather frustrating realizations when the time comes to invest in quality, “adult” pieces. But when you think of it, a well-made sofa or kitchen appliance has just as much staying power in our lives as a car — maybe even more in some instances!
Another huge factor in determining the cost is whether you are buying stock pieces or custom fabricated pieces. This becomes very apparent in things like area rugs, custom upholstered furniture, and window treatments.
2. What should I do with this weird empty space I have in my (fill-in-the-blank)?
If this question is in regards to a specific piece of furniture, such as behind a sofa, then there are some tried and true answers, like a console table. More often than not, the spaces in question are non-descript leftover corners of rooms, corridors, entryways, and the like which can understandably be a little more difficult to tackle.
When in doubt, adding a fun piece of art or a houseplant is a great place to start! Not only are these items low-profile and out-of-the-way which helps to keep your floorplan from becoming too cluttered, but unlike furniture pieces, there are endless options available for size and style when it comes to art and plants. You have so many to choose from when selecting the perfect piece to finish your space!
This also presents a fun opportunity to play with design. You can choose something more neutral and understated to simply complement the rest of the room, or you can turn this otherwise overlooked space into an eye-catching statement with something bold.
Another go-to solution for spaces like this is to add a mirror (or a clustered gallery wall of a few mirrors). Mirrors bounce light and help open your space up, and also come in a huge variety from oversized leaning floor mirrors, to tiny intricate framed ones.
If you’ve got a little more space to work with, go for something like an accent chair with a floor lamp and/or a small side table. Additional comfy spaces to relax and just “be” around the house are always appreciated for yourself and for guests!
3. I need a new (fill-in-the-blank)! Where should I look to find something good?
I’m always on the hunt for unique art, décor, and accessories. Even if I see something that I don’t immediately need for a project, I will most likely scoop it up and hold onto it knowing I’ll find a good use for it before too long. Furniture tends to be a little bit more of an as-needed basis (a girl only has so much room in her basement and garage after all), but hey, I won’t rule anything out, I guess!
Since this answer falls into a few different categories (and many price points), I’ll try to give you some good starting points, at least.
A few of my regular online haunts are Lulu and Georgia, CB2, World Market, Horchow, Burke Decor, Scout & Nimble, and Article. For local, in-person browsing, I love to pop in to Antiquarian Shop, Hot Haute Hot, Bass & Bennett Trading Co., Nadeau, and staples like West Elm, Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel, and RH while I’m out and about around town. Of course, stores like HomeGoods/TJ Maxx, and Kirkland's are always great for bargains!
Some of my most favorite finds ever have come from thrift stores like Goodwill, or from vintage sellers around Pittsburgh such as Pack Vintage, Frank + Abel, and Mon Modern. I also love to check out estate sales, yard/garage sales, and flea markets for those amazing one-of-a-kind treasures (so happy that warmer weather is headed our way).
Also on the blog: The Beginners Guide to Home Décor + Accessories
4. How high should I hang (fill-in-the-blank)?
While the “rules” for hanging art, photos, and the like are a bit flexible depending on a number of factors such as the size and scale of the piece, ceiling height, the existence of any other architectural elements on the wall (paneling, wainscotting, windows), or obstructions (light switches, etc.) — there are some general rules of thumb.
Here’s a quick cheat sheet:
Art, Photos + Mirrors
60-66” from the floor (center of piece at eye-level), with roughly 2” in-between for groups of multiples. Aim for at least 8” for pieces that are hung over a sofa or mantel.Chandeliers + Pendants
Over a dining table, the bottom of the fixture should be 66” from the floor so sightlines aren’t obstructed when seated. Similarly, hang fixtures over an island or counter at 36”. For hanging fixtures that aren’t over a tabletop or counter, aim for 3” of chain or rod for every foot of ceiling height.Headboards
For wall-mounted styles, the standard is to have the top of the headboard 48” off of the floor. If you’re a taller person or have a taller style headboard, this can go as high as 68” without looking off (just make sure you have a frame and mattress tall enough to suit).Televisions
A 42” television should be mounted with the center of the set 56” from the floor. For a 55” set, the screen’s center should be around 61”. For anything larger, make the center point height equal to the size of the television (ex: a 65” set should be hung with the center of the screen at 65”).Window Coverings
If you’ve got the height, hang your window coverings 4-6” above your window frame (generally 2-3” below the ceiling) and extend the rods 5” beyond the outsides of the frame. This will make your windows look larger and your ceilings look taller. For a tailored, casual look, curtain panels should end about 1/2 -1” from the floor — but in some designs, panels can extend onto the floor for a more dramatic puddle effect.
5. What do you think of (fill-in-the-blank) trend?
This one is always a bit tricky to answer, not just because trends come and go so frequently, but because individual tastes can be so subjective. Obviously, it would never be our intent to offend anyone by yucking their yum, but it often feels like this question is actually code for “Is it okay that I like this trend?” Where it gets sticky is that as Interior Designers, we’re literally paid to have (and provide) our opinion or advice. Our tastes might not be the same as yours, but that doesn’t necessarily make you “wrong.”
First, as a blanket statement: You have our professional permission to like whatever you like!
Your home should be a place that brings you joy, filled with all of the things you love. We’re all faced with so many expectations from the minute we step outside our doors each day, and it’s because of that that we should be free from outside expectations at home. Now that we have that out of the way, we can talk a bit more openly about trends.
The thing about interior design is that we can’t really predict how long a trend will stick around. Some things are gone after just one or two seasons (chevron, minimalism), while others last for multiple decades before fizzling out (Mid-Century Modern furniture). Other trends have a habit of going away for a while and then suddenly reappearing (brass fixtures, terrazzo, wallpaper). Still, there are those trends that will never really go away (houseplants, crisp white trim).
Interior design is just one more piece of the massive pop-culture zeitgeist that’s constantly swirling and influencing itself year after year. With all of these trending colors, patterns, and styles that show up everywhere from our runways, to our print marketing, to our homes, it’s often less about trying to predict and more about just keeping your eyes and ears open. Of course, being plugged in with that constant level of awareness takes a lot of time and energy, which is why professional designers exist. We pay attention so you don’t have to!
If you’re interested in a particular trend, our best and honest advice would be to ask yourself the following before diving in:
Is this a feature piece, or just a fun complement to my larger design statement?
Put simply, in case it’s out of fashion in three years, it’s a much better investment to buy a trendy accent chair than a trendy sofa.How easy is it to undo said trend?
Trendy paint or wallpaper, sure. Trendy tile or other more permanent architectural elements, not so much.Does this bring me joy?
Do you really, truly love and want this trend in your home, or do you just feel like you need to incorporate it to be en vogue?
6. (BONUS) Is your home perfectly designed?
This one is a resounding NO! We might have a leg up on the average person when it comes to designing our own space, but Interior Designers’ homes are often far from perfect. Not only do we typically prioritize our clients’ projects before our own, but we’ve got our own budget limitations to contend with. Sure, we know where to source all of the best items from furniture, to paint, to flooring, but that doesn’t mean it’s appropriate for our lifestyle.
Another interesting aspect of all of this is that designers often feel compelled to reserve our best and brightest design ideas for our clients. In addition, we also want each of our clients to feel like they’re getting something custom, truly unique, and one-of-a-kind for their homes. The unfortunate side effect of that approach to design is that we’re usually faced with a choice of recycling something amazing that we’ve already done in our own spaces — or (the more likely scenario for me) we are indecisive and do nothing until a better idea comes along. I’ve got the 3-month-old paint swatches on my living room wall to prove that it’s a vicious cycle!
The old adage that we’re our own worst client is definitely true.
Did you happen to have any of these design questions on your mind? Let us know in the comments below!
If you’re looking for more specific answers, click below to get in touch with the Studio 1049 team. We’d love to hear from you!