Interior Design Do's & Don'ts: 10 Rules Worth Knowing
A better room rarely needs more furniture. Usually, it needs the right proportions, a few interesting materials and somewhere comfortable to sit.
There are no perfect formulas for decorating a home. Rooms have awkward corners, windows in inconvenient places and furniture you already love. But there are a few decisions that make a noticeable difference. Here are ten we come back to at OROA, with real pieces from our collection to show how they can work.
01 / DO measure the room. DON'T guess.
The showroom floor can make a generous sofa look surprisingly compact. At home, the same piece may leave very little space for a walkway. Measure your room, doorways and stairwells before ordering. Mark out the furniture footprint with painter's tape. You should be able to walk around the coffee table without turning sideways. Our sofa collection offers different proportions, so start with the measurements, not just the color.
02 / DO give the sofa a proper coffee table. DON'T choose one that's lost in the room.
A tiny coffee table in front of a long sofa tends to make the whole seating area feel disconnected. As a starting point, try a table roughly half to two-thirds the sofa's length, then check that there's room to move. A shelf can be useful if you like to keep books and remotes nearby.
03 / DO mix materials. DON'T buy the whole room in one finish.
Too much matching furniture can make an otherwise beautiful room feel flat. Pair warm wood with glass, stone, woven details or soft upholstery. The contrast is what gives a room personality. A natural mango-wood table, for example, can look particularly good beside a structured linen sofa.
04 / DO plan the lighting. DON'T rely on one bright ceiling fixture.
Overhead lighting is useful, but it shouldn't do all the work. Add a table lamp where you read, a floor lamp beside an armchair, and dimmable lighting where appropriate. A woven or ceramic lamp introduces texture even when it's switched off.
05 / DO choose an accent. DON'T make everything compete.
An unusual chair, sculptural mirror or confident color can carry a room. But if every piece demands attention, the eye has nowhere to rest. Give one or two pieces the spotlight and keep the rest quieter. The same principle works in an entryway, bedroom or living room.
06 / DO mix shapes. DON'T fill the room with sharp rectangles.
If your sofa, sideboard, rug and coffee table all have straight edges, a round side table or curved chair can soften the arrangement. You don't need a completely curved interior. One contrasting silhouette often does enough.
07 / DO look at how a rug connects furniture. DON'T leave it floating in the middle.
A rug that's too small can make the seating look scattered. Ideally, at least the front legs of the main seats sit on the rug where the room allows. Before buying, tape out the dimensions and look at them from the doorway.
08 / DO think about your everyday routine. DON'T furnish only for photographs.
A room might look lovely with a tiny side table, but where will you put your glass, book or phone? Think about how you actually use the space. Side tables, drawers and shelves should earn their place.
09 / DO use texture. DON'T confuse texture with clutter.
Wool, linen, rattan and shearling-inspired upholstery can add depth to a restrained room. You don't need ten cushions and several trays to make it feel finished. A chair with a beautiful texture can do more than a collection of small objects.
10 / DO check the details. DON'T buy on the image alone.
A styled photograph tells you how a piece might look, not everything you need to know. Read the dimensions, materials, care instructions and what is included in the price. Check whether a stone surface is natural marble or a marble-look finish, and whether a chair comes individually or as a set.
Where should you start?
Start with the room you use most. Keep the pieces that work, measure the empty spaces and make a short list of what is missing. That might be a useful side table, better lighting or a properly sized coffee table. It doesn't have to be a complete redesign.
Interior design questions we hear often
What is the biggest decorating mistake?
Buying without checking scale. A piece can be beautiful and still be wrong for the room. Measure first, including clearances and delivery access.
Should every piece of furniture match?
No. Related colors and materials create cohesion; a little variation adds interest. Mix thoughtfully rather than buying everything as a matching set.
How can I make a living room feel more considered?
Focus on a comfortable layout, appropriate lighting, a rug that connects the seating and one strong focal piece.