5 Things I Never Do as an Interior Designer & Why You Shouldn't Either

There are very few absolutes in interior design because, while there's a lot of science to it, there's also a lot of art.

The fun in designing our spaces is to allow our creativity to flow and let the space reflect who we are. That being said, there are five things I never ever do as an interior designer, so let's explore them and the reasons why.

1. Choosing Based on Images Alone

One thing I never do is select anything from a printed or online image only.

The number one question I receive is, "What paint color should I select?" My answer is always the same: it's impossible to make a specific recommendation without seeing the space and all the finishes and furnishings in it live and in person.

I use images and online searches as a starting point, even creating digital mood or materials boards to see how everything might look together.

However, the colors you see on your screen or even in a physical image can vary greatly from the actual material.

Once I've made some preliminary selections, I always order physical samples.

 This includes flooring, paint, wall coverings, countertop and cabinetry materials, fabric swatches, and metal finishes—anything I can get my hands on.

The more permanent and difficult or expensive to replace a finish is, the more important it is to gather those physical samples and look at them with all your other samples.

Look at them in the space where they'll be installed, in natural light during the day, and artificial light in the evening. Live with them for a while before making an expensive decision.

If you need a paint color direction, Samplize is a great resource.

Go to their bundles page and you'll see a wide range of choices by several manufacturers grouped by color families, or get some inspiration on their collections page.

Then you can order peel-and-stick samples by the bundle or in singles.

2. Relying on Single Source Overhead Lighting

Another thing I don't do is recommend single-source direct overhead lighting. Relying on a single overhead downlight fixture for your room's lighting will make the space feel cold and harsh by producing glare, casting unflattering shadows, and causing disruptions to the circadian rhythm by mimicking the midday sun.

I don't recommend overhead lighting at all in most living rooms and bedrooms unless it's in the form of an indirect decorative fixture with very low light output or if the lighting is recessed. In that case, make sure it's on dimmers.

Instead, I recommend layered lighting with a combination of light sources, including wall lights, table lamps, and floor lamps. This eye-level layered approach works well in any room by balancing the light and giving the room a much cozier feel.

Keep the color temperature at 2700 Kelvin or even less in spaces where you want to create a more relaxed feel, and bump it up a little to 3000 Kelvin in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms where you might want a whiter light.

3. Using Sheen on Ceilings

I also don't recommend sheen on ceilings. Ceilings tend to be more reflective than walls due to the angle we view them at, and the way the light is reflected off of them can create a distracting shine and some glare from light sources when they have even the slightest sheen. Sheen will also highlight texture and imperfections that you may prefer to disguise.

On the other hand, flat paint won't reflect light, so the surface's texture and imperfections will be less noticeable, and it won't draw attention to itself and away from the walls and furnishings in the room.

The one exception is if there's a painted wood treatment on the ceiling, then I would consider matching it to the rest of the trim in the room.

4. Sticking to All Warm or All Cool Color Palettes

Next, I don't design using all warm or all cool color palettes.

For a while, we went from super warm interiors that were almost suffocating to all cool interiors that were uber-minimal with lots of white and gray that were quite bland and sterile.

Speaking as someone who loves gray, it was too much even for me. I've always preferred the balance of warm and cool that a palette inspired by nature provides.

That's why the trend toward biophilia and the styles it's spawned has been so widely embraced. It provides a balance of warm and cool, taking its cues from nature's timeless beauty.

One thing to really look out for here is selecting manufactured materials like quartz countertops and porcelain tile flooring. I love these materials because of their durability and ease of maintenance, but when looking for something that looks like wood or marble, it can be a challenge.

I look for patterns that have the most natural marble veining or wood grain look and make sure there's a balance of warm and cool tones for a really natural look.

5. Creating a Look That's Too "Theme-y"

Lastly, I never create a look that's too "theme-y." Even if you're going all in on one style, creating a theme around it can make the space feel forced and unnatural.

Instead of getting too literal with the elements of the style, think more in the abstract. Use the theme more as an inspiration and implement your design in a conceptual way through color, texture, and pattern.

For example, coastal styles are really popular right now. Instead of filling the spaces with a bunch of kitschy items, bring in the colors of sand, ocean, and sky, some textural woven furnishings, and more subtle patterns like a ticking stripe.

This will give you a coastal feel without feeling like you're under the sea.

What are some of the things you never do in designing your spaces? Please share in the comments.

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