Ask a Designer

Great design starts with great questions. On this page, real homeowners write in with their design dilemmas — from awkward layouts and tricky color choices to storage struggles and renovation roadblocks — and our designer offers thoughtful, practical solutions. If you’ve ever stood in a room and thought, “What do I do with this space?” you’re in the right place. Dive in, explore real questions from real people, and get inspired by answers you can actually use in your own home.

Have a design question? Submit your question here!

Filed under:

• Design

 How do I decorate an above fireplace mantel?

Learn expert tips on choosing mirrors or art, proper sizing, spacing, and layering decor for a balanced look.

Filed under:

• Design

How to Decorate Above a TV on a High Living Room Wall

Filed under:

• Design

Creative Storage Ideas for Kids’ Rock and Shell Collections

How to Reduce Echo in a Great Room With Tall Ceilings and a Brick Fireplace

How to Modernize a Stone Fireplace Without Covering It

Should You Paint Your Ceiling Dark? Color Drenching Design Tips for Living Rooms

Filed under:

• Kitchens

10 Great White Kitchens

Inspirational white-hot rooms from the National Kitchen & Bath Association‘s Design Competition archives

Filed under:

• Fireplaces

10 Ways to Warm Up a Nonworking Fireplace

Filed under:

• Design

13 Thrifty Ways to Give Your House Vintage Charm

6 Design Ideas for Tile Rugs

7 Charming DIY Home Change-Ups on The Cheap

9 Ways to Add Charm and Save Cash