Interior Designer Responds to Popular Design Questions on Reddit
In this post, I’m having a little fun as an online interior designer by browsing Reddit forums from interior design and decorating groups and answering people’s design questions.
I find it pretty amusing that so many people turn to Reddit for interior design advice—you never really know who’s on the other side or what credentials they do (or don’t) have. Now, don’t get me wrong—you don’t need to be a professional designer to give helpful feedback. Plenty of people have a great eye and solid taste.
That said, I often see situations where Reddit users get steered in the wrong design direction. So in this post, I’ll be critiquing these spaces, sharing my suggestions, and (hopefully) entertaining you along the way.
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Designer Answers r/interiordecorating Reddit Form
The first post that caught my attention was someone sharing their Victorian dining room. It immediately reminded me of a dining room I transformed a few years ago (more on that below), so I was curious to dive in and share my thoughts on what this space needs. Take a look at the photos they posted:
Dining Room Transformation, a Designer’s Suggestions
Now, this dining room isn’t a bad-looking space at all—but it does feel a little unfinished. So, what would I, as an online interior designer, suggest?
- New light fixture: I’d swap out the light fixture. The current one doesn’t align well with the orientation of the table, and it contrasts a bit too sharply with the rest of the decor. Something more classic and rounded would suit the space and style much better.
- Remove overpowering plant: Next, let’s look at the wall with the storage piece. Right now, it feels off balance—the plant on top is overpowering, so I’d remove it and instead introduce a floor plant elsewhere.
- Larger artwork: The artwork above the storage is also too small, making the wall feel cramped. Adding a larger art piece would bring harmony to the space.
- Wall colour/Wallpaper: I’d recommend dressing the walls with a subtle decorative wallpaper to add texture.
- Area Rug: Finally, I’d bring in an area rug. While rugs in dining rooms aren’t always necessary, in this case, one would help define the table and anchor the space nicely.
And, how would this transformation look, you ask? Well, I put together an image:
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Earlier in my career, I transformed a dining room similar to the one posted on Reddit. Check it out below!
Kitchen Dining Nook Transformation, a Designer’s Suggestions
So, here we have another eating area that needs some decor. This time, this space has a lot less going on, which is perfect for a transformation as it gives me lots of play room. Here is the before photo:
Keep in mind, the person on Reddit didn’t mention a specific style, but I’d describe their space as leaning toward contemporary glam.
My suggestions here would be:
- Add a decorative light fixture that drops down—something in brushed gold with a modern design would add interest and tie the look together.
- Introduce drapery that extends below the window, in the same colour as the wall but with added texture. A black curtain rod would provide a nice contrast.
- Place a round rug under the table—slightly patterned to bring subtle dimension without overwhelming the space.
- Hang a rectangular art piece on the right wall, preferably abstract, to introduce some colour and balance.
And the results…
I like the look of this kitchen dining area. It’s warm, and works well with the existing furniture.
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Entryway Transformation, a Designer’s Suggestions
The next Redditor asked how they could “pimp” their entryway. Check out the before photo below:
My suggestions here:
- Paint the door—consider an accent colour like navy blue to add depth and interest.
- Remove the mismatched rugs—if possible, leave the tile exposed to create a cleaner, more cohesive look.
- Swap the light fixture for something more decorative to elevate the space.
- Add tall artwork beside the door to enhance the sense of height and draw the eye upward.
The results:
A nice decorative makeover to this entryway! If I do say so myself.
Kitchen Coffee Bar Upgrade, a Designer’s Suggestions
The next Redditor seeking interior design advice wanted to add an addition to their kitchen. As a designer who specialized in millwork design for part of my career, I knew I had to help. Here is the picture they provided:
All they mentioned was that they needed to incorporate a trash can into the space somehow—and that was about it.
My suggestions here:
- Repaint the kitchen in a lighter colour to give it a fresh, updated look.
- Add additional millwork to extend the kitchen from wall to wall.
- Incorporate a built-in trash can into one of the lower cabinets for convenience.
- Install open shelving above instead of upper cabinets to maintain a light and airy feel.
And the result:
This kitchen has serious potential—and I absolutely love seeing potential when it comes to interiors!
Is Reddit’s r/InteriorDesign a Good Platform to Receive Online Interior Design Advice?
So, after digging through Reddit (and admittedly spending a little too much time there), I have some thoughts for those of you seeking interior design advice online. Honestly, browsing Reddit for design tips is a bit like watching a YouTube tutorial on how to cut your own hair—and then actually giving yourself a haircut. It might turn out okay… or it could be disastrous. Great results? Not likely.
Now, not everyone on Reddit gives terrible advice, but I have to be honest—I wasn’t all that impressed with the suggestions from the average Redditor on the r/InteriorDesign and R/InteriorDecorating subreddits.
What I will say is, Reddit is great for entertainment—but you have to use your discretion when asking for advice on anything, not just interior design. I have to admit, I’ve checked out a few different topics there, and… well, I needed a break from the forums for a while.
You really have to be careful about where and who you seek guidance from. That’s a hard lesson I’ve learned in life, and business.
So, the question is: if not Reddit, where should you turn for online interior design advice?
The Best Online Interior Design Advice
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