Design 101: Interior Design Basics, Explained Simply

Learn the fundamentals of interior design—layouts, color, proportions, and the everyday decisions that shape a room. Straightforward advice from Havenly's designers.

Scandinavian living room with cream sofa, wooden chairs, geometric rug, and neutral palette creating airy, cohesive space
Editor's Pick

7 Items That Make Your Home Look “Low Quality,” According to Interior Designers

290 articles
Sort:
Contemporary living room with charcoal sectional, natural wood table, and neutral monochromatic palette

Design 101

11 Home Decor Choices Professional Interior Designers “100% Regret”

Learn from interior design mistakes. Havenly designers share 11 home decor regrets and how to avoid them.

KC
Kelsey Clark · · 5 min
Airy, minimalist living room with floor-to-ceiling cream linen curtains, bright windows, and organic modern aesthetic

Design 101

How to Hang Curtains Like an Interior Designer: 5 Simple Steps

Learn how to hang curtains like a pro with 5 simple steps from Havenly designer Brady Burke. Master measurements, fabrics, styles & hardware.

KC
Kelsey Clark · · 5 min
Warm mid-century living room with slatted wood credenza, floor lamp, and framed botanical art creating a cohesive, organized aesthetic.

Design 101

How to Hide Cords in Your Home: 7 Designer Tricks That Actually Work

Brainstorming ways to hide cords without rewiring your house? We’ve got you: Clip them along furniture legs, run them under rugs, paint them the same color as your wall, or obscure them entirely with a strategic plant. The trick isn't making cords invisible—it's making them blend in so well your eye stops registering them. Below, Havenly designer Brady Burke walks through seven low-effort fixes.

TH
The Havenly Team · · 10 min
Modern bedroom with warm cognac and cream pillow arrangement against geometric patterned headboard wall

Design 101

How to Arrange Pillows on a Bed: 20 Designer Ideas (and the One Rule That Holds Them Together)

Arranging pillows on a bed comes down to one thing: balance. Whether you want clean and simple or layered and luxe, pick a pillow count, commit to it, and let everything else follow. Below, 20 designer-approved arrangements—plus how to copy each one in your own bedroom.

KC
Kelsey Clark · · 10 min
Warm, contemporary living room with neutral palette, round wood coffee table, and lush greenery

Design 101

How to Style Your Coffee Table Like an Interior Designer: 13 Pro Tips

Learn 13 pro coffee table styling tips from a Havenly designer to create a functional, beautiful display.

KC
Kelsey Clark · · 6 min
Airy open-concept space with warm wood tones, white sheer curtains, neutral palette, and mid-century dining chairs.

Design 101

15 Designer-Approved Tips for Styling a Living Room Dining Room Combo Space

Learn 15 designer-approved tips for styling a living room dining room combo with color, furniture, and layout strategies.

RD
Rebecca Deczynski · · 6 min

Explore more on the blog

Buying Guide
The paint colors, sofas, rugs, and home pieces Havenly's designers actually recommend—with the reasoning behind every pick so you can shop with confidence.
Browse articles →
Design Project
Real design projects from Havenly's team—celebrity homes, first apartments, full home transformations, and every kind of room in between. See the befores, the afters, and the decisions that got there.
Browse articles →
Home Tours
Tour real homes designed by Havenly's team — from room refreshes to full makeovers. See every before-and-after, the design choices behind each room, and the products used.
Browse articles →

Want a transformation of your own?

Work one-on-one with a Havenly designer to bring your dream room to life.

Get Started