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

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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.

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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

Hanging curtains the right way comes down to five steps: measure twice, choose the right fabric for the light you want, pick a curtain style, match your hardware, and install high and wide. The cardinal rule? Mount the rod close to the ceiling and well past the window on each side, then let the panels just kiss the floor. Havenly designer Brady Burke walks through each step below.

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Kelsey Clark · · 6 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Rebecca Deczynski · · 6 min

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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.
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