7 things designers immediately notice when they enter a room

We all like to think of ourselves as having good taste, but not all of us are literally trained to have an eye for design. An interior designer’s job is to notice things that an untrained eye might miss. As it turns out, there are a number of things. When an interior designer walks into a new space for the first time or inspects a just-completed project, they are drawn to certain things that make or break the space.

“For me, a room is a total experience,” says Monika Nessbach, founder and chief interior designer of Designbar. “For me, entering a room is like a visual adventure. Among the details, several elements scream for immediate attention.”

We asked some of the South’s best interior designers what the first thing they notice when they walk into a room, and the answers might surprise you. Chances are, their eyes won’t immediately be drawn to a colorful piece of furniture or a particularly stylish accessory. Rather, they’ll notice positive cues that point to the room’s potential, or negative ones that don’t live up to that potential. People who live in the home and have gotten used to decorating a room might not notice these aspects, but a designer’s keen eyes can’t help but have tunnel vision on those things that either make a room special or stick out like a sore thumb. Here’s what to look for in your own home to see it with new, expert-approved eyes.

Balance – or lack thereof

“The first thing I notice when I walk into a room is the balance, or lack thereof,” says Brad Ramsey, CEO and founder of Brad Ramsey Interiors. “Style and decor is a very personal matter and I can appreciate all different expressions, but if a room doesn’t seem balanced – something is wrong with the size, the color or the layout – I find it harder to enjoy it.”

Bethany Adams, principal designer of Bethany Adams Interiors, agrees that improper scaling that throws a room off balance is a major eyesore and can make the space feel smaller.

“The first thing I notice when I walk into a room is the amount and size of the furnishings,” she says. “When a room is overcrowded, it makes you feel uncomfortable. Oversized furnishings, overstuffed furniture, or – worst of all – a combination of both make a room seem smaller.”

lighting

Lighting is also a key focus for these designers. They say that poor lighting can really bring down a room, while good lighting can enhance it and even balance out other negative qualities on this list.

“For me, there is nothing more depressing than walking into a dark room,” says Adams. “Without a big, bright window or good lighting, rooms just seem sad.”

When looking for designer-approved lighting, there are a variety of options to consider. First, Sara Malek Barney, founder and chief designer of BANDD/DESIGN, considers natural lighting. Shelby Van Daley, chief designer and founder of Daley Home, says, “The more natural light, the better. It creates a bright and airy feel and enhances the mood of the room.”

If there isn’t enough sunlight in the room, Malek Barney recommends getting creative with electrical solutions. Katharine Rhudy, head designer at Reed & Acanthus, recommends taking an ambient approach when designing the lighting in a room. This means installing lighting on multiple levels, including ceiling lights, table and floor lamps, and wall sconces to enhance the natural light. “I prefer soft white light and always use dimmers to control the brightness,” she adds.

Walls

For designers, walls are a blank canvas – even if they’re not quite so blank. Painted, decorated, or adorned in any way, designers see walls as an opportunity to make a statement that sets the tone for the space. Whether they’re fully decorated or left blank, designers’ eyes are sure to be drawn to walls.

“Blank walls are immediately noticeable and make a room feel sterile and uninviting,” says Rhudy, who recommends wall art, wallpaper or interesting colors to solve this problem.

Malek Barney says she looks not only at the wall covering, but also at its construction. For example, she notes that solid limestone walls can limit the possibilities for wall design and that drywall has a texture that some homeowners welcome but others would prefer to remove.

“I definitely notice the walls and what is on them – be it the color of the wall or the wallpaper – but I also pay attention to their texture and material, because that determines what is possible,” says Malek Barney.

Ceiling height

Low ceilings, says Malek Barney, immediately set off alarm bells for her because they are harder to work with and can make a room seem smaller than it is. Unfortunately, not many of us are blessed with gloriously high ceilings, and this is not lost on these designers. To minimize the impact of a low ceiling, Malek Barney recommends thinking of it as a “fifth wall.”

“For example, if you’re painting, paint the walls and ceiling the same color,” she recommends. “This really helps minimize the impact of a lower ceiling.”

Nessbach, meanwhile, suggests using optical illusions to make the space appear larger. She recommends decorating with an oversized mirror to trick the eyes and make the room appear larger than it is.

personality

When a space is loved and lived in, as opposed to a blank slate of a new build, the designer’s eagle eyes will automatically judge the space as a testament to the character of the occupants and how they interact with the space. This can then help them decide how to proceed when redesigning the space.

“My immediate question is whether the room exudes personality. For example, I look at what kind of books are on the shelves,” says Nessbach. For Malek Barney, however, the question of personality is more of a question of feeling.

“The main thing I noticed was how they like to live and how it feels,” she says. “Does it feel homey? Does it feel lived in? Does it feel messy? Does it feel dusty? A lot of these things stand out to me because they show me how they will react to the space when it’s finished and how they will live in it in the future.”

Odor

In addition to the sights (and in the case of Malek Barney, the feeling), Adams and Rhudy point out that other sensory cues can also make an important first impression. The most important one that designers can’t overlook is the smell of a room. Chances are, other guests who aren’t used to your home will notice that smell, too – for better or for worse.

“I have a nose like a bloodhound and can instantly identify unpleasant or pleasant smells,” says Rhudy. “Does a house smell old and dirty? Musty and moldy? Is there an overpowering scent of candles that always makes me wonder what they’re trying to hide? The solution is simple: open the windows as often as possible to let out stale air, especially in bedrooms.”

disorder

We’re sorry to break it to you, but your clutter won’t go unnoticed. In fact, for many designers, clutter is something like a bat signal that they need to respond to.

“Clutter, clutter, clutter – it drives me crazy and is the very first thing I notice. Are there too many books, personal photos, counters cluttered with devices, or toys on the floor?” asks Rhudy, while Nessbach also adds distracting tech cords to the list. “Decluttering a home is an important step in creating a peaceful space and really has a psychological and physical impact on our well-being. Plus, decluttering a room is free!”