6 Underrated Designer Secrets That Instantly Make Any Room Look Better

One of the qualities we love most about interior designers is their ability to see the potential in any space. Show them a room that lacks beauty or is a completely blank slate, and they’ll raise you a magazine-worthy end result.

We asked three interior designers to share some of their go-to design secrets that have the most dramatic impact on a project, and they didn’t gatekeep.

Vaulting the Ceiling

Designer Suzanne Barrow considers vaulted ceilings to be the ace up her sleeve. In fact, any time she is working on a major renovation or new build, she almost always includes a vaulted ceiling in one or two rooms.

“A vaulted ceiling adds architectural character,” she says. “Whether it’s a subtle pitch, exposed beams, or a full cathedral style, it turns the ceiling into a focal point, transforming what’s often ignored into a defining design feature that dramatically elevates the house design.”

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Hiding the Outlets

Designer Yvonne Harty fully believes it’s the little details that have the power to transform a space. That’s why if there’s a way to hide an outlet in a project, she’s going to do just that.

While hiding outlets with furniture is a good solution for living spaces, she has a special trick for kitchens.

“One of my favorite tricks in kitchen design is to hide outlets under upper cabinets, in drawers, or using flush-mount outlets to keep backsplashes clean and visually uninterrupted,” she says.
With the trend of stone backsplashes versus tile, this has become a priority.”

Looking at the Space Through a New Lens

According to designer Reanna Channer, taking a photograph of a space will help you see it with fresh eyes. This is especially helpful when dealing with a room where something feels off but you aren’t quite sure what needs fixing.

“Early in my career, before I could afford a professional photographer, I spent countless hours trying to capture my work on camera,” she says. “This turned out to be a powerful tool that taught me everything about what not to do in a room. A photograph will show you exactly what needs to be tweaked in a space.”

Furniture Layout Comes First

Channer is a firm believer that the key to a beautiful space starts with a good foundation. In the case of interior design, that’s the furniture layout.

She finds that using an area rug as a guide for your furniture arrangement is helpful.

“It’s the ultimate tool for defining a space, grounding foundational furniture pieces, and creating a clear pathway for flowing through a room,” she says.

Layering Light Sources

If you don’t design spaces for a living, it’s easy to forget that lighting plays a huge role in the appearance of a space.

But designers know it serves both a practical and aesthetic purpose, and more than one light source is key.

“We never rely on one light source and always use decorative lighting to create a mood or moment in the house, whether it is ambient, task, or accent lighting,” Barrow says. “All three can create a mood or special moment in the house.”

Three Words: Big Vase + Branches

One of Channer’s favorite ways to add a major statement to a space is actually a super affordable accessory. It’s a large vase filled with sprawling branches.

“The drama this generates will distract from areas of the room you haven’t gotten around to decorating yet,” she says. “When in doubt, it’s almost always better to go bigger. So whenever I’m hosting an event or just in need of a refresh, I’ll cut branches from trees or shrubs in my yard.”