Welcome to the first in a new series of columns by designer Nina Takesh, founder of her eponymous studio. In By Design for Homes & Gardens, Nina will reveal how she crafts layered, richly detailed interiors.
Most of us don’t give much thought to what we see when we step through the front door or glance down a hallway – but those fleeting moments, the way your eye moves through a space, can completely transform how your home feels. That’s where sightlines come in.
Sightlines are just what they sound like: the natural paths your eyes follow when you enter a room, walk through a corridor, or look across one space into another. Designers pay close attention to them when choosing home decor for good reason. They shape how we experience a home, and when they’re done well, every room feels intentional, harmonious, and inviting.
The best part? You don’t need to knock down walls or call in a contractor to improve yours. In fact, some of the most effective sightline tricks are surprisingly simple – and they can instantly make your home feel more polished and put together.
Here are five easy ways to elevate the sightlines in your space. It is an interior design rule worth knowing.
1. Declutter your doorway views
Stand in any doorway of your home and pause for a moment. What do you see from that vantage point? If the view is cluttered with cords, piles, or a piece of furniture that feels intrusive, it’s subtly working against the calm of your space.
Doorways are natural transition points, and keeping them clear instantly makes rooms feel more open and serene. Often, just moving one or two distracting items is enough to let the eye relax – and the whole space feels calmer as a result.
2. Add a focal point at the end of a hallway
Hallways are natural visual pathways – your eye is drawn to where they lead. Instead of leaving them bare or overlooked, treat them as an opportunity to create a moment of interest. What you place at the end of a hallway can anchor the space and subtly invite you forward.
It doesn’t have to be elaborate. A framed artwork, a tall plant, or a slim console table can provide just enough visual weight to make the hallway feel intentional and complete, without ever overcrowding it.
3. Keep your sightline clear by avoiding visual clutter on surfaces
Sometimes sightlines aren’t interrupted by furniture or walls but by cluttered surfaces. When tables, shelves, or counters are crowded with too many objects, the eye has nowhere to rest – and the whole space can start to feel chaotic.
By keeping surfaces streamlined and intentional, you create cleaner sightlines and a calmer, more cohesive view throughout your home.
4. Position furniture along natural sightlines
Furniture plays a major role in how your eye moves through a space. Oversized pieces or those that block views can make a room feel cramped or disconnected. But when furniture aligns with the natural sightlines of the room, it enhances openness and flow.
Keep walkways clear, and avoid placing furniture directly in front of windows or key focal points. Even small shifts in placement can transform the way a room feels.
5. Add a mirror to open up your space
Mirrors are a simple but powerful tool for extending sightlines. By reflecting light and views, they can make a room feel larger, brighter, and more connected.
Place a mirror where it can catch natural light or reflect an appealing part of the room. Even this small adjustment encourages the eye to travel farther, instantly creating a greater sense of openness.
Good design often comes down to noticing what’s already there. You don’t need new furniture or a full renovation to change the feel of your home. Sightlines offer an easy way to bring calm, flow, and connection to any space.
