Interior designer Hans Lorei – known for his viral, easy-to-follow tips and design advice videos on social media – has just cut through one of the simplest, yet most-overlooked, and impactful ways to make a room feel cohesively designed.
His latest video focuses on the theory that successful interior design needs emphasis, namely one clear focal point in a room – no matter your interior design style.
Hans' advice (see the TikTok below) is simple: pick a focal point in your room and highlight it. 'Do you want to know the secret to a room that stops people in their tracks? Every space needs a focal point, think of it like the star of your photo.' If only it were that simple. Here, I break it down, with three easy techniques.
@hansloreidesign ♬ original sound - Hans Lorei Design
1. Highlight an architectural feature
Hans begins his advice: 'When you walk in, what is the main thing? A fireplace, a killer window? That's your hero, now frame it like a pro. Flank that fireplace with some art on the wall or sconces,' he advises. 'Frame that window with some nice tall curtains.'
Other clever ideas we champion as an interiors team at Homes & Gardens? Giving window frames a contrasting lick of paint in a bold color, and hanging hero artwork over a fireplace.
If you don't have an impressive fireplace, arched doorway, or tall window, you can add architectural charm to a room and create those focal points with elements such as feature walls, window treatments or, perhaps the most obvious solution, decorating with artwork that makes a statement.
This print of an original gouache painting by the artist Aisyah Amiru is sure to make a statement, whether it's hung above your focal point or becomes the focal point itself.
Decorating with art brings character and is an easy way to elevate an empty wall. Composed of detailed lines, this vintage-style map of Paris is a classic choice that nods to the city of love.
Bring an organic modern feel to your space with this pair of fabric wall hangings inspired by antique tapestries. Hang above a mantel or side-by-side above a sofa for an interesting textural display.
2. Frame furniture with symmetry
Perhaps you want to make a large piece of furniture, as Hans suggests, a cozy bed, your focal point? Or your couch? This is where balance and symmetry in interior design work to your advantage, creating a scheme that is visually calming, allowing your focal point to take the spotlight.
'Bring some symmetry to your bed with lamps on each side,' he advises. 'Think like a photographer, every room is your shot, pick your focus and then style around it.'
This technique needn't be limited to just large pieces of furniture; it's all about scale in interior design. For example, a featureless entryway can be made interesting with a statement mirror, styled with a console beneath it and lamps at either end. This simple, symmetrical arrangement that works both horizontally and vertically will draw the eye and create impact as soon as you walk in the door.
Cheerful and fun, this yellow-striped table lamp will bring some life to a room. For a symmetrical arrangement, pair one on either side of a bed for a balance of color and height.
Embrace the still much-loved trend for unexpected red, and add a pop of color to either side of your bed, or use it on two side tables next to your couch for the same effect.
A statement mirror will create impact and elevate any plain surface. This black round style from CB2 is effortlessly contemporary and will act as a bold centerpiece in any room.
3. Ground a scheme with an area rug
Perhaps Hans' simplest trick is to 'angle your sofa with a rug that frames and contrasts'.
Doing so, whether with a couch in a living room or a bed in a bedroom, creates a clearly dominant area (as long as you choose the right rug size for your space and get your rug's placement right; get either of these wrong and the whole room will look off-balance and unfocussed, the opposite of what you are trying to achieve).
This will elevate your overall design, add dimension, and give the eye a point of interest to feast on. More to the point, it will bring cohesion to a grouping of furniture, making a room feel cozier, effortlessly.
This geometric rug is rich in color and material. Paired with a leather armchair or a wooden coffee table, it is a truly decadent accessory that will make any room feel luxurious.
Bringing in a rich-hued rug is an easy way of creating warmth and variety in a room, transforming the space into a welcoming and cozy nook. The Velma rug has been woven with a deep indigo thread, a sophisticated choice that will last for years.
A soft blue is ideal if you want to choose a rug that will be a focal point but won't dominate a space. It's just slightly bolder than a neutral and the print is equally subtle.
Hans has proven that, whenever you're in doubt, seek out your 'money shot' as this will create drama and encourage the eyes to gaze at the focal point.
If Hans' advice has resonated with you, we have plenty more interior design advice, covering everything from mastering negative space in interior design through to the 60-30-10 rule to balance color scheming in any room.
