While a courtesy scroll through Pinterest helps, there’s nothing like learning the tricks of the trade from someone whose job it is to elevate every space they step into.

11.10.23 | By Sangeeta Kocharekar | Interiors

5 Styling Lessons I've Learnt From My Interior Designer Friend

While a courtesy scroll through Pinterest helps, there’s nothing like learning the tricks of the trade from someone whose job it is to elevate every space they step into.

Once I learnt my first interior design rule, I could never unlearn it. I began to notice it in my friend’s homes, homes on TV and in the movies, even at furniture stores. How did everyone not know this? It was so easy to do, and makes any living room look so much better.

The rule is to place your living room rug 1/3 of the way under your couch. I learnt it from my friend Camilla, an interior designer and founder of interior design and styling business, Unfolded. She visited my old share house one day, and I asked her how I could improve the appearance of my living room.

I asked Camilla to explain why the rule worked, “the rug’s best placed 1/3 under the couch to bring the room together, frame the space and essentially layer and complement the design as a whole,” she said.

This rule isn’t the only interior design lesson I’ve learnt from Camilla. Over the five or so years of our friendship, I have learnt countless more. Because they’ve been so helpful to me not only in better understanding and appreciating good interior design, but also making a home look and feel more like a home, I thought I’d share some of those lessons.

1. Rugs can be used to separate areas of the home

More rug advice! Did you know rugs can be used to separate different areas of your home, particularly if it’s open plan? I didn’t – until Camilla pointed it out in the open plan living room of an apartment I once lived in. She suggested I place a rug underneath my dining table to separate it from the couch and TV area right next to it – brilliant.

And aside from making a room look more cohesive and framing a space, rugs can do a lot more I didn’t realise. “They’re a great solution to warm a space, or even provide character and texture to your area of choice,” said Camilla.

“For example, a round rug in a space that feels clinical, cold, or even a bit sharp provides softness and allows for a calmer thoroughfare when walking around or through the space. You may also wish to add a larger rug in your home office, framing the space but also for warmth underfoot as you work.”

2. Lived-in details are the secret to good décor

I remember once when Camilla suggested I place a carafe and glass in a lounge area of my apartment. Surely, that’s just a thing in home magazines, I thought. Fast forward to today and I have a green Maison Balzac carafe and matching glass sitting on my dining room table.

It was through Camilla I really understood the importance of lived-in details. She also suggests adding indoor plants and statement lighting, as well as artwork and mirrors.

“Artwork and mirrors can really complement the home, so you don’t need to overdo it,” said Camilla. “For instance, artwork on entry offers the overall palette and direction of the home as soon as you walk in the door. Floor-standing mirrors near windows and doors bounce the light naturally into the space.”

Lastly, she suggests adding “vignettes” of your favourite pieces. “Maybe a beautiful coffee table book, sitting together with a devil’s ivy in a complementary vase, with your favourite scented candle placed on the book. It’s personal, stylish, and will make you feel more connected to the space.”

3. Lighting can make all the difference in a home

“Everything in a room is impacted by the light source,” Camilla said. “And the colour temperature of your light can have a big impact on the way you live and work,” she added.

I had no idea what colour temperature of lights meant, but she explained as a general rule, I should steer clear of bright, fluorescent lights as they look sterile, and warm, yellow-toned lights, which create sluggishness and affect visibility – something you definitely don’t want if you WFH.

“Opt for a natural-lighting globe – cool white LEDs,” she said. “It’s a happy medium, and suits practical applications. When buying globes, think less yellow, more white.”

Lighting can also be used to provide focal points within a space, Camilla taught me. For example, a pendant light fitted over the end of a kitchen island bench can designate an area for guests to congregate in the kitchen.

4. Wait until you’ve lived in a space before buying pieces for it

I’ve heard this advice from Camilla and another friend who isn’t even an interior stylist, just very wise: don’t buy new pieces before you’ve moved in because you might find you don’t need them or they don’t work in the space.

“I personally feel you shouldn’t buy new furniture and homewares until you’ve spent time in a space and truly lived day-to-day, understanding both your own practical needs, and how the place serves you functionally, and the best layout to suit your needs… all this takes time,” said Camilla. “So, if you can afford to wait, give yourself a few weeks as I truly believe the ‘do it once, do it well’ rule.”

5. Interior designers offer more than just their styling services

After chatting with Camilla about her job, I’ve learnt a lot about what interior designers and stylists do. Yes, they’re able to guide you in creating spaces that align with your practical needs and personal taste, but did you know they can get you industry trade discounts on furniture, linen, artwork, and accessories?

They also provide you with what Camilla calls “visual bibles”, mood boards of the look and feel of a space they’ll work with you to create, as well as visit suppliers with you. “We can ensure your supplier selections are aesthetically and functionally appropriate for the home or project,” said Camilla. In other words, they’ll stop you from getting items you’ll end up regretting because they either don’t work in the space or aren’t long-lasting.

While a courtesy scroll through Pinterest helps, there’s nothing like learning the tricks of the trade from someone whose job it is to elevate every space they step into.

5 Styling Lessons I've Learnt From My Interior Designer Friend

While a courtesy scroll through Pinterest helps, there’s nothing like learning the tricks of the trade from someone whose job it is to elevate every space they step into.

1. Rugs can be used to separate areas of the home

2. Lived-in details are the secret to good décor

3. Lighting can make all the difference in a home

4. Wait until you’ve lived in a space before buying pieces for it

5. Interior designers offer more than just their styling services

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While a courtesy scroll through Pinterest helps, there’s nothing like learning the tricks of the trade from someone whose job it is to elevate every space they step into.

5 Styling Lessons I've Learnt From My Interior Designer Friend

While a courtesy scroll through Pinterest helps, there’s nothing like learning the tricks of the trade from someone whose job it is to elevate every space they step into.

1. Rugs can be used to separate areas of the home

2. Lived-in details are the secret to good décor

3. Lighting can make all the difference in a home

4. Wait until you’ve lived in a space before buying pieces for it

5. Interior designers offer more than just their styling services

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Hey, Before You Go!

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Ask A Designer: “I Want to Renovate My Kitchen... Where Do I Even Start?”