Interior designers who transform a room from dull to dazzling are always considered naturally creative, artistic, talented and people are even willing to pay top dollar to hire one of such well-known designers of today. But you too can work some of your own magic just by following the advice of top designers – without paying hundreds of dollars in fees!



1] Trick the eyes using color:

a] Make low ceilings look taller: Are low ceilings getting you down? Check out this optical illusion used by famous designers for artificially and inexpensively raising the roof: Add contrasting strips of fabric along the inner and outer edges of curtains. For example if you have white curtains you can add a midnight-blue or black fabric strips; or if you have beige curtains you can add chocolate brown strips.

b] Add ‘architectural’ interest to a room space: All you need to do is paint the moldings and trim along the windows and doors a shade or two darker than the walls, and paint the window sashes that is, the sliding parts that carry the glass, an even deeper shade of the same color. For example, if your kitchen walls are pale green, you can paint the molding and trim along the windows bottle-green and the window sashes a dark olive-green!

With this technique you can transform any plain-Jane room into a handsome one that your guests will ask for the name of the designer you hired.

c] Show off your lawn/garden! If you’ve got French doors or any other kind of glass doors that lead to a very attractive yard, garden, patio or deck, you can paint the door moldings and trim a deep, dark color, maybe a deep burgundy or olive-green. This helps to lead the eye to what is beyond. Try it. You just might surprise yourself and your guests.

2] Use an ‘unpredictable’ seating arrangement: To add a fresh and unique feel to a room, use a ‘non-matching’ chair – a trick that designers also call a ‘pull-up chair’ – beside your couch, sofa or loveseat.

3] Making the most of everyday items: The secret to inspired creativity and ideas is to decorate on a tight budget. Having to stick to a budget often helps to make the most of everyday items that are readily available to add detail and interest to a room.

For example,

a] Don’t throw away the cushions with your old sofa. Recycle the cushions by covering them with a durable outdoor fabric and use them as floor pillows for extra seating. Perfect for kids and adults especially during movie nights.

b] Pick up any old garden bench at your local flea market and cut off the legs. Now attach chains or sturdy ropes and hang from hooks on your porch, patio or balcony and you’ve got a stylish swing.

c] Create your own custom design artifacts. Take any generic white lampshade from your nearest dollar store. Glue a few tiny red ribbons around the top and bottom edges. Voila! You’ve got your own personalized accessory. If you only find purple lampshades, don’t fret. Just glue some white and gold satin bows and you watch the transformation!

I hope these ideas will inspire the creative genius in you. Remember to just follow your heart and enjoy what you do. That is the secret to a beautiful life.