5 Things Designers Immediately Notice When They Enter a Room

Ever wish you had the design-savvy eye of an interior designer? Well, you’re in luck. We can’t grant you all the know-how of a professional, but we can give you an insider's take. First up: giving you a little insight as to what interior designers notice first about spaces. 

We tapped three interior designers to dish what stands out to them most when entering a room. Read on for their thoughts, then look at your own spaces with fresh, interior designer-like eyes.

Balance and Scale

Are you tripping over your too-big furniture? Does your art look ridiculously small on your otherwise undecorated wall? Interior designers are sure to notice off-balance scale and (chances are) so are your savviest of design-fanatic guests. There are a few main culprits to watch out for. 

“Often, people select furnishings that are too large for a space, making the room feel crowded and cluttered,” Fiore says.

Other offenders? Wall art that’s not grouped tightly enough together or simply too small for the wall. We’ve all seen a tiny print get lost (and, frankly, look a little random) on a large wall. Lighting fixtures are another culprit of often not being scaled correctly, either too overpowering or awkwardly petite, Fiore says. 

“It’s the subtle balance of scale, proportion, size, and color that make a space feel inviting,” Urdang Bodie says. “It allows you to feel relaxed and calm in a space.”

Books

According to Downing, which books you choose to keep in your space—and how you display them—is a tell-tale peek into your personality. That’s why books are one of the first things she notices when entering someone’s space. 

“Are they in stacks at their bedside, filed neatly into bookcases, or in prominent display on their coffee table? Maybe they have a library filled with titles they've collected over many years or maybe none at all,” Downing says.

Art

Whether you frame family photos, a child’s finger painting, or a precious piece of fine art, what artwork you choose to display in your home is likely to draw anyone’s eye—but especially an interior designer’s. Fiore, Urdang Bodie, and Downing all agree. 

“Art provides color, authenticity, and mood,” Fiore says. “It is a very deep and personal reflection of who the occupant of a home is, what they value, and what type of imagery they are drawn to.”

Not only is art a great conversation starter, but it sets a definitive mood for the space too. What tone are you aiming for? Serene, bold, or energetic, perhaps? Don’t get caught up in the idea that art needs to come with an eye-popping price tag either. The more personal, the better—no matter how much a piece costs. 

“Art doesn't need to have distinguished provenance to be special,” Downing says. An array of family photos or personal relics, from your grandparents’ wedding portrait to an illustration you picked up in Paris, will draw anyone’s attention the same way a curated collection does. 

Scents

Think of all the senses when designing a room, considering not only what you see, but also what you can touch, taste, hear, and smell too. Beyond how a room looks, Downing is quick to also notice the scents of a space. Maybe it comes from the lighting of a candle, the brightness of cleaning products, or the hominess of dinner cooking in the kitchen. 

“These indicators can tell you so much about how someone inhabits their space,” she says.

Lighting

From harsh overhead lighting to too-dim task lighting to everything in between, Urdang Bodie always notices the way a room is lit. According to her, more often than not, spaces aren’t illuminated with enough light.

“We always incorporate multiple light sources, including overhead, hung, wall, and floor,” Urdang Bodie says.

Invest in sculpture-like light fixtures that catch your attention so that a piece can double as functional artwork. Plus, whenever possible, put any and all lighting sources on a dimmer; that’ll allow you to control the brightness to match the mood.