Design Rules? I Prefer Design Suggestions | My Favorite Interior Design Hot Takes
Hey Roomies!
Can I let you in on a little secret?
The older I get (yes... all 58 fabulous years of me), the less interested I become in following everyone else's design rules.
Somewhere along the way, interior design became filled with "don'ts."
"Don't paint a room dark."
"Don't mix metals."
"Don't use bold colors."
"Don't put that there."
And my personal favorite...
"That's not what it's for."
Roomies...
Says who?
One of my favorite things about being an interior designer is reminding people that your home should tell your story—not someone else's.
That's exactly what today's video is all about.
Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/UfjVhD3DSIE?si=_kA0I1m6rrcA6rgO
For more interior design inspiration, visit: www.roomsbyroma.com
Dark Paint Doesn't Make A Room Smaller...
Let's just start with the controversial one.
No...
Dark paint does not automatically make a room feel smaller.
I know.
Some of you just clutched your decorative pillows.
Here's what I've learned after years of designing homes.
Dark colors don't shrink a room.
Poor lighting, bad furniture scale, clutter, and awkward layouts shrink a room.
Beautiful charcoal.
Rich navy.
Warm chocolate.
Deep forest green.
Those colors can actually make a room feel:
cozy
sophisticated
dramatic
luxurious
inviting
Sometimes the mood of a room is far more important than making it feel two inches larger.
Design isn't just about square footage.
It's about emotion.
Stop Using Things The Way They Were "Supposed" To Be Used
This might be one of my favorite design habits.
I love looking at an object and asking...
"What else could this become?"
That pretty soap dish?
Maybe it's holding paper clips on your desk.
A beautiful olive oil bottle?
Perfect for dish soap sitting next to your kitchen sink.
That decorative tray?
Maybe it becomes the landing spot for your keys and mail.
A gorgeous woven basket?
Who's to say it can't become the prettiest trash can you've ever owned?
Some of the most interesting homes I've ever walked into are filled with creative thinking—not expensive thinking.
That's the difference.
Your Home Should Feel Collected... Not Purchased
One thing I always encourage my clients to do is think outside the box.
Your home shouldn't look like you bought every single thing on page 42 of a furniture catalog.
The best homes feel layered.
Collected.
Lived in.
Personal.
They're filled with pieces that tell stories.
Pieces that make people ask,
"Where did you find that?"
Not,
"Didn't I just see that in three other houses?"
That's where personality begins.
Mix The Colors. Mix The Patterns. Mix Your Confidence.
Can I lovingly challenge you today?
Stop playing it so safe.
If you've always loved color...
Use it.
If you've secretly wanted floral wallpaper...
Do it.
If that vintage chair makes you smile every single time you see it...
Bring it home.
Design should bring joy.
Not anxiety.
Some of the most beautiful spaces I've ever designed happened because someone was willing to trust their instincts instead of the latest trend report.
And honestly...
Confidence is one of the most beautiful design accessories you'll ever own.
There Are Very Few "Rules"
People ask me all the time...
"Roma... what's the right way?"
My answer?
There usually isn't one.
There are good design principles.
There are functional layouts.
There are smart investments.
But creativity?
That belongs to you.
Because your home isn't being designed for social media.
It's being designed for your life.
A Home That Reflects You Will Never Go Out Of Style
Here's what I hope every Roomie remembers:
The homes we remember aren't always the most expensive.
They're the ones that made us feel something.
The ones filled with laughter.
Family dinners.
Coffee conversations.
Birthday celebrations.
Quiet mornings.
Sunday naps.
Life.
That's what good interior design creates.
Not perfection.
Connection.
Final Thoughts From Roma
At 58, I've learned something that applies to design—and honestly, to life.
The moment you stop worrying about what everyone else thinks...
You start creating spaces that feel authentically yours.
So paint the room dark.
Mix the patterns.
Repurpose the basket.
Use the pretty soap dispenser.
Fill your home with things that make you smile.
Because trends come and go...
But a home that reflects your heart will always be beautiful.
Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/UfjVhD3DSIE?si=_kA0I1m6rrcA6rgO
Looking for more luxury interior design inspiration, decorating tips, home styling ideas, and personalized interior design services? Visit:
www.roomsbyroma.com
Thank you for being here, roomies!
Now go break a few design "rules"...
I promise I won't tell.
I look forward to creating with you.
