10 Timeless Decorating Rules That Make Any Room Look Better
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/foolproof-rules-for-decorating-GettyImages-1399167457-a3e3cb93b2ce44a1bb509dab55cdad2b.jpg?w=780&resize=780,470&ssl=1 "10 Timeless Decorating Rules That Make Any Room Look Better")
Decorating doesn’t have to be hard—or expensive, or stressful, or a never-ending Pinterest spiral. Whether you’re furnishing your first apartment or giving your longtime home a refresh, sometimes all you need are a few smart rules to help make your space look amazing. Think of these designer-approved tips as your shortcut to decorating any room, just like a pro.
This is an adaptation of an article that originally appeared in the April 2015 issue of REAL SIMPLE, written by Stephanie Sisco and Rachael Weiner. We’re sharing it as part of our ongoing 25th birthday celebration—and because the information is just as useful today as it was then.
Color Palette Math
For a foolproof color scheme, choose one color for 60% of the room, a second color for 30%, and a third that’s brighter than the others for the remaining 10%.
An Easy Entryway Formula
A spot to sit plus mirror plus table (or shelf) equals instant “finished” foyer. A small area rug helps define the space.
Switch Up Shapes
If the bulk of your living room furniture is boxy, choose a round coffee table, side tables, or ottoman for balance.
Choose the Right Size Coffee Table
The ideal coffee table is two-thirds as wide as the sofa and a couple of inches lower than the seats (typically 14 to 16 inches high).
Hang Curtains High
Instead of installing them directly above the window, hang curtains high—between the ceiling and the top of the window—and your space will feel a lot loftier. (And don’t let the bottoms pool. They should just graze the floor.)
Use Mirrors Strategically
Mount a mirror opposite a window. It’s the best way to bounce light around and give the illusion of a bigger room.
Ideal height to hang a mirror is 60 inches from the floor to the center of the mirror.
Keep Rugs Grounded
A rug should never float in the middle of a floor. Place it under at least the front feet of a chair, couch, or bed to anchor it.
Throw Pillow Math
Place one 20-inch square pillow in a matching bold pattern on each end, one 16-inch pillow in a coordinating solid color, over-lapping each, and one subtly patterned lumbar (like a pinstripe) in the middle.
Pattern Play
You’ll never mess up pattern-mixing if you combine bold, large-scale prints with subtle, smaller-scale prints in complementary colors.
Think in Threes
Similar-sized accessories on a shelf or table look better grouped in odd numbers; even amounts can feel too uniform and stiff.
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