The way you decorate your home is entirely up to you — but there are a few guidelines and design suggestions you may want to keep in mind as you're decorating.
1. Having curtains that are too short can make your space feel incomplete
Lauren White, the owner and principal designer at Ellen W. Interior Concepts, told Insider that curtains should hit always hit the floor. "Curtains that are too short are like wearing high-water pants," she said. "It does not look good and makes your space look unfinished."
2. A rug that's too small can throw off an entire room
A high-quality rug isn't cheap — and the bigger you go, the more expensive they become. Because of this, you may be tempted to go for a smaller, more affordable option, even if that means sacrificing design. If that's the case, the best thing you can do is forgo a rug altogether, White said. "A rug that is too small takes away from the space, although you would hope it adds visual value," she told Insider. "I would recommend not adding a rug if it's not scaled properly to space." But if you insist on getting a small rug, it should at least be able to sit under the front legs of your furniture pieces, White said.
3. Ordering furniture without measuring your space can lead to expensive mistakes
It may seem like very low, but taking the time to measure your space is a crucial first step to a successful design, White said. "The easiest way to do this is to get the dimensions of the furniture you're interested in, grab some blue painter's tape, and create the shape of the furniture with the painter's tape and dimensions," she told Insider. "This will give you a visual guide to ensure your furniture will be functional in your space."
4. Having only one source of light in a room can make the space fall flat
Kirk told Insider that having just one source of light, such as recessed lights, could make the ambiance of a room fall flat. "It's important to layer the lighting in your home by incorporating pendant lighting, chandeliers, or trendy wall sconces to soften the light sources in your home," Kirk said. "This creates a calm and welcoming environment throughout your home and can complement your design style."
5. Your space might feel awkward if you hang artwork too high
"Art is commonly hung too high and looks best at eye-level," Sara Ray, the owner of Sara Ray Interior Design in Nashville, Tennessee, told Insider. She said the sweet spot is about 57 to 60 inches above the floor. "There are exceptions to every 'rule,' but this one holds true most of the time," she said.