Martha's Homekeeping Handbook is my bible. Everyone should own it!

Arrange decorative objects (and set out plants) in odd numbered, rather than even numbered groups.

Best Tried and True Design Rule: There are no tried and true design rules. :)

Less is more.

One in, one out!

Seek inspiration, not trends. If it moves you, do it! Don't worry about the crowd.

If you love it, and can afford it, find a place for it.

From the excellent (but oddly titled) "Living in Style without Losing Your Mind": think Strunk and White, and "edit" each room like an essay (this might be best for people who are writers). Decide the room or area's main idea, and make sure everything supports that idea. This mindset helps me pare down and focus, without getting sentimental about keeping things that are cool but not quite relevant to the main point (the same way you would edit a paragraph, saying "this is a neat fact, but it doesn't support the thesis").

The seam on the lamp shade should always be in the back.

A dining room rug should be at least 5' (1.75m) wider than the table, so that chairs stay on the rug.

A living room rug should be at least 6' (2m) wide, so there is 1) space to walk between the coffee table and seating and 2) a connection between the rug and the seating.

End tables should always be within three inches of the arm height of the sofa/chair that they're next to - but no higher, otherwise your guests may spill drinks or get nasty knocks on their elbows. Nightstands should follow the same rules, but the height guideline is the top of the mattress.

Tab-Top curtains are seldom the right choice - and Tiebacks that gather curtains/draperies in the center of the window are a "No-No".

When you fall for something at a store, ask yourself, "Where would I put it?" Don't bring it home unless you have a good answer.

you probably need at least one more light source.

Don't bring home anything so fragile/high maintenance that deep down you know you won't be able to keep it nice.

That's also a Tried and True Dating tip, too.

Don't buy glass furnishings if you bump into furniture/drop things a lot. Spare yourself the embarrassment/stitches.

Three. The (minimum) number of times an accent color should be used so it looks on purpose and balanced. Red wall? 2 more red items somewhere else in the room. Huge black fridge? Black cabinet hardware, black chairs. Easy.

Universal design is the way to go.

The 60:30:10 color rule. When in doubt, apply a formula.

Thank you to sophiesmom for suggesting that wonderful book. I haven't purchased it yet but I'm already in love!

@creative license - I'd never heard of the 60:30:10 color rule before, but now that I've read about it, I totally agree! I think it's particularly important on building exteriors - I see so many houses that are more like 90:10.

Natural materials age much more attractively than synthetic materials.

- curtains go from sealing to floor, not just covering the windows (then use shades).
- aligning different pieces of furniture along one wall is a no no (like bookcase 1, then table, than bookcase 2, then dresser etc.) Try placing some pieces in the space rather than all against the walls
- no 'beaver puke' furniture (like LACK from IKEA), coating will peal off, hard to keep nice and can't handle as much weight as real wood. They never survive a move anyway.

Like the color rule! 60:30:10, brilliant!

My own favorite lamp is actually all shade with just a thin metal base - breaking the rules never looked so good.

It's not just for decorating - the 80/20 rule. 80% of the job takes 20% of the time.

Had to Google the 60:30:10 color rule, but it's neat! I'll have to go around my house looking for it.

www.lauranav.com

Reserve a small horizontal space near the main door of each room. Set things there that you've just brought in and gather things there to be taken out--saves steps.

I like to apply Coco Chanel's rule of "get dressed for your occasion and then remove something right before you walk out the door". It's a basic editing rule that helps to keep things pared down. Sometimes you just don't need that extra chotchkie cluttering up the space...
ps: i like patrick (the other one)'s antics

Yes, patrick (the other one) is great. I'm glad that I voted for him for house tour contributor, and hope that he gets the position.

Rule of 1/3's. When transitioning from a small piece to a large piece. Picture frame on side table should be 1/3 the height of table lamp with flowers 2/3 the height of table lamp, meeting artwork in 1/3's. Find a nicely accessorized area and check.

and, looking around my house, i am not really buying the lamp shade size rule.

The correct viewing distance for a piece of art is twice its diagonal.

interiorsbytm, interesting. Can you give another rule of 1/3's example so I'm sure I understand it? Thanks.

taureg- that's a good one! i've never heard it.

when arranging tablescapes, etc, arrange in the form of a triangle. tallest item in the middle, shorter things outside.

Don't get stuck on "symmetry" and balance... sometimes a-symmetry can be surprising and refreshing.

I learned that on a visit to Japan. Before that, I was stuck in the "Roman" ideal of matching columns, matching lamps, matching paintings, and centering everything... try a-symmetry, you'll like it!

http://lapsushumanus.blogspot.com/

Yeah, personally, I find perfect symmetry perfectly boring!

1.) It's great to mix new with old pieces as well as matte and glossy finishes. Adds texture to your space. 2.) One thing I always do is: include a small amount of special, shiny, smart pieces in a room to act as 'jewelry'. It's like wearing a great pair of dark jeans and a black turtleneck... you need a statement piece of jewelry to dress up and finish the look. Same thing with a room. 3.) A project manager told me 10 *cough* years ago: "If you wouldn't wear it- don't add it to your scheme."
Have a great weekend!!

"Every room needs a touch of yellow." Eleanor McMillen Brown

"Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful." William Morris

And...some designers say that every room needs a bit of black, while other designers say that every room needs a little red. Following all of the rules would be impossible, and undesirable.

The William Morris thing: "Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”

I start there, and then make it all child, dog, and drunk proof - it's just more comfortable than cringing when someone sits on something or picks something up.

For investment pieces, like art: If I'm mesmerized by a work, I leave it for a couple of weeks, and if I just can't stop thinking about it, I find a way to bring it home.

I rarely follow "rules" but things like the 57" hanging height make life much easier.

Apologies Miami's Elaine! I didn't see that you'd also posted the quote. Cheers to you.

mysoultokeep, "make it all child, dog, and drunk proof" is a sensible, memorable rule that's useful in the real world. Thanks.

Wow some of these tips have really got me thinking and will definitely be useful !

A decorating rule that I live by is to always leave space for things to come into your life (or at least home!!!). For example if I want a new lounge I don't borrow or buy a cheaper one in the interim otherwise you never get around to replacing it. Leave the space bare until you can put something there that you you love or at least enhances it! Bare walls look better than artwork that doesn't look good.

Slight pet peeve here....the phrase Rule of Thumb harkens back to the amount of switches or twigs a man could beat his wife (his property!) with. Couldn't be wider than a thumb.

I only learned this about seven years ago, but once I did, I never used it again. Perhaps it'll be paid forward?