70 Genius Decorating Tips From Interior Design Pros

In this elegant mudroom designed by Ashley Montgomery, the caned cabinet fronts serve practical and decorative purposes. They "provide airflow" to cabinets that hold farm clothes, boots, hats, and gloves, and their natural color breaks up the green woodwork. Such high-traffic areas can feel cluttered, but thoughtful details like caning can help calm the chaos.

While the concept might seem to clash, this bedroom designed by Leah Ring of Another Human includes rich colors and prints from patchwork textiles to ceramic items and paint, so it's only fitting that the artwork is multidimensional and unique too. "The bedroom gets great light throughout the day, so we wanted to go for a peachy color on the walls that would give it a nice glow with the sunlight," Ring explains. The bedroom "feels layered in a comfortable way but not too busy—[you] feel very serene when you’re in the room," Ring says.

Meta Coleman was inspired by tile and color to give a California kitchen a refresh. She borrowed square footage from the living room to build this bright walk-in pantry. It's complete with plenty of storage, tons of countertop space, and adorable cabinet skirts that soften the room.

The lesson here is that there are no downsides to practically any shade of blue. Designed by Kingston Lafferty, the artwork above the fireplace sets the tone for the bold color-blocking happening throughout the space, including the light green ceiling, the tonal walls and mantel, the Sputnik light, and the patterned chairs and drapes.

Avery Cox of Avery Cox Design, who loves a classic subway tile, can be found using mosaics and penny tiles as well. "If I'm really going for something special I'll select a hand-painted or marbled tile from somewhere like Balineum," she explains. Bonus tip: Customizations are having a moment in the tile industry, whether it's in your bathroom, kitchen, or bedroom!

"We typically cut readily available materials that are in standard sizes into smaller sizes of those same tiles," Jessica Geller of Toldeo Geller says. The design duo used the budget-friendly method to create the custom tile design in this bathroom.

Have ugly appliances or simply want to change things up? Cover them up with peel-and-stick wallpaper, as designer Janie Molster did to the fridge and freezer in this kitchen.

You can mix colors and patterns that'll push the envelope but still remain stylish and authentic. Just take it from designer Anthony Gianacakos, who did so in his own bedroom. "My strong suit is color and pattern combination," he says.

In a basement room with no windows, Camila Pavone of Effortless Style Interiors came up with the idea to combine two mirrors to fake a window. It brightens up the space and makes it feel bigger.

"We love how this finish surface interacts with light; it is soft, subtle, and welcoming," says Suzanne Stefan of the stainless steel matte finish in her kitchen, which she created using a Scotch-Brite sponge.

"I wanted to fashion a space where you could have a friend over for coffee or tea…and actually use your collected china," says Marie Flanigan of this tea room she designed. It's proof that any collection can be a jumping-off point for a room.

A radiator can easily throw off your design vision. Make it a part of the room by building a cabinet over it, as Leanne Ford Interiors did here to reclaim the hallway space and turn it into a beautiful little reading nook.

Don't underestimate the importance of a personal sanctuary. "I wanted it to feel like being wrapped in a warm blanket," says Melissa Rufty of this Southern library.

It's much more child friendly too. "If someone draws on it, it's a lot easier to repair than real lacquer!" says designer Corey Damen Jenkins.

"Purchase a few matted frames and pop in your own sketches of abstract art. The picture mats will look expensive, and you'll have your own personal touch on the walls for guests to admire," says interior designer Eneia White.

"Small, outdoor ceramic stools are great pieces of furniture that perform double duty," says interior designer David Quarles IV. "They can be used as extra seating or when placed close to a chair or sofa, they can serve as an additional surface to place your laptop during work hours or cocktails and small plates of food during an outdoor hangout."

"In this basement remodel, we would've had to spend a ton of money rerouting the HCVA air duct. Who wouldn't go with ballet slipper pink instead?" — Max Humphrey

"There was no ceiling molding and no molding around the doors in this apartment, so I added them with paint! —Aldous Bertram

"We were able to work in a lot of pieces from their previous home, which made it feel layered." — Jean Liu

"Do something groovy on the actual steps! The bolder you go, the bigger the smile when you see them." — Fawn Galli. Here, a painted runner by Annie Sloan looks just like carpet.