Date:  December 22, 2017  |   Photography: Courtesy of vendors  |  

Shhh! Don’t let the cat out of the bag, but we’ve got a secret to share—13 of them to be exact. We asked top Arkansas designers to share a few tricks of the trade, and we’re spilling the beans.

“When it comes to rugs, I say the bigger, the better! Nothing shrinks a room faster than a tiny ‘postage stamp’ at the seating area. The best rule of thumb is to keep 12 inches of wood showing around the perimeter.” —Julie Nichols, Statements Interior Design

“At the beginning of a design project the world is your oyster … you can do anything you want. But with that first big decision you have narrowed the field for all future options. Each new decision continues to limit those options even more and the course is set. Don’t get distracted by what your friends are doing or what you’ve just seen online. Stay the course.” —Talena Ray & Mona Thompson, Providence Design

“In most of my designs, I like to start with a neutral base and from there incorporate layers of color and texture. Neutral palettes do not mean boring! Invest in neutral larger pieces like a sofa and rugs, then add color and unexpected surprises through textiles, accessories, artwork, and accent chairs.” —Katie Henry, Katie Grace Designs

“When selecting a paint color, don’t rely on the small swatch or a color card. You might be unpleasantly surprised! Purchase a sample can and paint a three-foot section of your wall. This provides an opportunity to see a larger amount of the color in a variety of lighting situations—daylight, dusk, nighttime with artificial light, etc. Choose the paint color that looks the best at the time of day you are home the most. We prefer to paint the trim the same color as the wall, creating a background that does not compete with your art and furnishings.” —Linda Tedder, Phoenix Interiors

“If you have the luxury of a designated mud room or laundry room space in your home, this room is the key to keeping your entire house organized. I call it the ‘work room,’ because it is the hub and the command center of your family’s life. If you are building or remodeling, dedicate time to thinking through every square inch of this space and consider its functions or features. These might include daily gear storage, a mail drop, a coat closet, file storage, a craft station, a wrapping station, a place for cleaning supplies, a pet area, and plenty of counter space.” —Jill Lawrence, J. Lawrence Design

“I believe that every room in your home tells a story. A lot of pattern isn’t for everyone, so we feel layering textures and hues within the same color family allows our design to connect one space to another. Never fall into a current ‘trend’ too heavily. Beware of over-indulgence in certain trends that can lead to a very dated look in only a few short years.” —Debi Davis, Debi Davis Interior Design

“I have five go-to tricks I use to make rooms feel larger. For starters, cover the walls with a light paint color and use a monochromatic color scheme throughout the room. Hang mirrors that are substantial in size. And finally, opt for unskirted chairs and sofas and use open tables with glass tops.” —Sha Davari, Art of Design

“The material used in a home should always welcome you into the space. For example, in flooring, running the hardwood grain with you as you walk in the door, instead of against you, will always create a more open and inviting vibe.” —Alexis Dietrich, Kaufman by Design West

“I like to make a new color statement and refresh a living space by switching pillows and maybe popping in coordinating colored accessories. A great neutral space acts like jeans—and jeans go with anything. So pop that emerald green or navy into your space and sit back and feel the fresh new change!” —Lee Anne Henry, Whiteline Designs

“When it comes to fabric selection, I use a mixture of large and small pattern and add textiles with texture to the design for depth. Mixing pattern and texture is currently on trend! Bold colors are also trending and homeowners are becoming more adventurous than ever, especially with the help of a designer with a trained eye.” —Shayla Copas, Shayla Copas Interiors

“I think one important tip with lighting is being able to use your lamps for ambient lighting. The best tip for this is to put dimmer sockets on the lamps in your home. It’s a quick, inexpensive process that I love to use, and we do it for customers all the time in our store.” — Jeremy Carter, The Shade Above Lighting Collection 

“One trick that I find helpful, particularly with young families, is using crypton fabrics in high-traffic areas of the home. They resist stains, spills, and odors and are available in numerous options ranging from crisp linens to velvets. After incidents with smashed strawberries and magic markers, I decided performance fabrics are life (and money) savers!” —Leigh Montgomery, Blu D’or Interiors

“Want to elevate your interiors? Art makes a room come to life. Think outside the box; original art doesn’t have to be expensive. Student art shows are a great place to pick up amazing art at an affordable price. Can’t afford an oil painting? No problem. Consider a collection of beautiful drawings. Don’t forget to shop tag and estate sales for unusual pottery, metal art, and textiles. Decorating should be fun and an adventure. Keep your eyes open and buy what you love.” —Kevin Walsh, Bear Hill Interiors