Impractical Interior Design Advice You Should Ignore & How to Make It Practical!

Ever hear design advice that leaves you confused about how someone practically lives like that?! Well, me too. Today, we're chatting about common interior design tips that I feel can be impractical and I'm showing you how to apply them in a practical way so that you can achieve the design look you love!!!! Hopefully, my tips will save you a lot of time, money, and frustration!!!
What interior design tip do you find incredibly impractical? Let me know down in the comments!
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Thanks to Arch Digest, Country Living Magazine, House Beautiful, BHG, Digs Digs, Crate and Barrel, ELLE Decor, Decoist, Homes and Gardens, Home Design Lover, DecorPad, Houzz, Apartment Therapy, The spruce, Beautiful Homes, Blesser House, Food 52, Medium Room, Veranda, Carpet One, Chris Loves Julia, New York Times, Better Homes and Gardens, The Spruce, The Home Edit, Dot and Blush, Curated Interior, Wood Metal & Beyond, and Overstock for the images used in today's video. These images do NOT belong to me and instead belong to the respective creators.

[@xfairfaeriex]

"Did Poseidon bring these to you?" That made me chuckle was was perfect for that segment!

[@KivaBrent]

Haha, thank you! I’m glad I gave you a laugh!

[@joellroyce8475]

Me too! I choked on my coffee! 😂🤣😂

[@kristinapreedy7069]

I came here to say the same thing! Love you, Kiva!!

[@KivaBrent]

@@kristinapreedy7069 love you, too! Thanks for being here 💕😊

[@kenieshathompson5525]

I almost tripped on my walk 😂

[@mavisjones4750]

I've never followed the art rule. My art, includes things I've collected over decades. Also, a piece of art that was my aunts. I love each and every one of them. As far as the wall to wall carpet. I ripped it out because I've always hated wall to wall carpet. I actually got upset with my mother when she covered the wood floors with wall to wall carpet.

[@jamierouse9809]

I love seeing appliances out in a kitchen. Shows how much the host loves to cook, and how versatile their methods of cooking can be.

[@anna-mariepretorius4027]

"I'm not bending down to get them". Finally someone that feels the same as me!! 😊

[@zzizmyheart]

These last few videos have had me rolling! Catch Kiva outside!!!😂 baby she said what she said. I love hearing this. We are having a home built and I am figuring out my husband and my style and these have been SO helpful.

[@yoonhaeon]

Yesss about the art!! I was obsessed into finding the best abstract art because thats the only advice we ever get. I was so scared for my home to look bad, eventho I enjoy landscape paintings so much. The abstract painting really didnt make me happy. Back to landscape now, no longer care if it doesn’t match the overall theme 😂

[@bricksloth6920]

Art first, design second. Always buy the art you love. Or else you'll have a catalog set and not a personal space.

[@KivaBrent]

Exactly!!!

[@aliciaahlvers8741]

I wish someone had told me the art wall advice years ago. I didn't hang things for years, waiting for just the right piece/s. Finally, during the pandemic, I started hanging items so I didn't have to look at white walls, starting with an anchor piece and then just filling in around it, and I love the effect. Why did I wait so long!!!

[@rachaelbruesch6306]

Kiva, your home is not boring. It's done by you for you. You and your love live there and it suits your style! ❤

[@McPorkyCheese]

I am so glad you mentioned putting an area rug down on wall-to-wall carpet. I LOVE carpet, I love that it's noise-cancelling, I love that I get to put my feet down on something suuuper soft in the morning. Plus, I don't have to hear the tippy taps of my cat walking into my room at 4am. People say it's harder to keep wall to wall clean BUT I have a great dyson AND a powerful Bissel carpet vac which I would rather whip out than my O-Cedar spin mop tbh. Other Design KZbinrs I watch say that when you add a rug on top of carpet that it's redundant, looks dumb or that you're trying to hide a stain--all of which I can totally understand. But, I love having soft carpet so much especially in a bedroom and it still needs an area rug to tie it all together. I love listening to other designers opinions, but at the end of the day it is your own home and you're the one living in it so you should design it to fit YOUR lifestyle!

[@verreal]

Uh, have you ever clipped your cat's claws? I have wood floors and I haven't heard any tippy tapping. That's dogs that do that. Cats can retract normal length claws.

[@staceykersting705]

I've never been a symmetrical type....just leaves me much more free. I love big swooping branches and boughs. never heard the matching artwork rule...sounds like an office space rule! So glad we're breaking away from the 'ice cube' design...cold colors, too matchy matchy....reminds me of a Les Schwab waiting room! And, yes, I like bedroom wall to wall.

[@agustinaalvarez7648]

Great video

[@heathenmom]

Came here to say exactly this! 😂❤

[@michelleedwards202]

Thanks for being a realistic interior designer….most of the time. Love your evolution.

[@KivaBrent]

I appreciate that! Yep, I’m not always super practical, but I’m trying to refocus on it 😊.

[@emmaythegray]

“Did Poseidon bring [that wood] to you? 😂 this was perfect. 😻

[@KivaBrent]

Haha, I’m glad you liked it!

[@raedorin979]

Also, artwork, thank you for the validation! I cannot JUST get art to match a space. I have a lot of green and cream in my bedroom but i found a gorgeous print of a landscape from my husband's home in Alaska. The color doesn't match but it HAS to be in our bedroom for him. I love that he loves it!

[@tiffytattoo2450]

"Such a shame the Mona Lisa doesn't come as a pair" has no curator ever said at the Louvre =D

[@TamarLitvot]

Glad you mentioned the issue of kitchen-safe decor and, in passing, bathrooms. I wince when I see people put nice rugs, the kind that look good in living rooms or dens, in bathrooms. Or unsealed paintings or prints in wooden frames in bathrooms. The steam and moisture will ruin a lot of nice items, and non washable rugs in a bathroom? Ugh!

[@marilendelacruz881]

“Do what makes you happy!! “ 💓💓this again ! Coming from you! Thank you ! As we unfortunately fall victim to those “elitist interior designers!” 🤦‍♀️

[@flaviasilvaa]

KB, I am so glad you said about the kitchen appliances, we live in the house and we don’t have a lot of cupboard or storage to hide them, I just agree with you ❤❤

[@etoya7304]

Really good advice. Thank you. Can’t agree more on the art and the kitchens decorated as art galleries. My personal two cents: - too much open shelving - dusting nightmare - countertop lamp next to your cooktop - do you ever cook? - only sitting arrangement perpendicular to your TV screen. Ever watch TV? The list goes on!

[@KivaBrent]

I have a lamp next to the stove so I can see and she does get dirty 😂.

[@lormor460]

@@KivaBrent I just put a small light in the corner of my kitchen counter. I’ll have to keep an eye on that, lol.

[@andiewise]

As a fine artist turned interior designer, your first tip is the most important to me. When I get to the point of having clients, I hope that they have eclectic collections of art/sculpture/heirlooms/photography that I am tasked with including in a space and showcasing ❤ these are the things that really make a space ours and feel like home

[@navidhaliwal4297]

Love you and your content Kiva! Aside from being a wonderful designer, I can tell you are a good person ❤. You’re one of the few creators I don’t skip ads on 😊

[@KivaBrent]

You’re too sweet!! Thank you so much! 💕

[@carolyndurham4888]

Beautiful Kiva, this is my most favorite video of yours to date. I love how you said that it kind of brought you back to earth and in turn it did the same for me. It’s like a whirlwind, listening to all these different “advice” advice/rules and can be overwhelming. Thank you for helping get my feet back on the ground and seeing straight again!🌞❤️❤️🌟

[@KivaBrent]

Aww, Carolyn! I’m so glad! These rules can be so overwhelming.

[@carolyndurham4888]

@@KivaBrent ❤️Seriously!🤗

[@loriloucks-loricanhelp2771]

Thank you for your making beautiful design practical and affordable so that it’s accessible to most anyone who seeks it. Your channel has become one of my absolute favorites!

[@Fairyfink]

Great video - love you for being open to changing your mind; being real about people's budgets; understanding functionality matters and most of all for championing art that you love, and care about, rather than art as a decorative accents.

[@donab1369]

love your updates -

[@jeffreybaughman2302]

Thanks for the positives of keeping wall to wall carpet. I recently moved and have wall to wall carpet that is in great condition. I don’t have the money to rip up and replace. I agree that a fun and interesting rug makes a huge difference. I also appreciate the sound dampening affects. I felt better after hearing your positives. Take care 😁

[@shylo-jean]

Looking good lady! And again, great video, great advice!!!! Love that you're evolving amd transparent about it ❤❤❤❤

[@changeyourshoes123]

OMG thank you for affirming the aesthetic of rug on top of carpet!!!. I LOVE that look. NOBODY gets it and ive been criticized repeatedly over it!

[@vociferonheraldofthewinter2284]

I used to 'hide' all of my small appliances because I don't like clutter on my countertops. I kept out the coffee pot, but that was it. Well, there was a situation that meant my food processor had to be out for about a month. AND I USED IT. Suddenly this expensive food processor that only got dragged out every other month was being used several times a week. Got a new blender and left it out to see if the trend continued. Sure did. I used it so much I actually decided it was worth an upgrade to a nice one. I hated leaving my kitchenaid mixer out because it's SO big, but with it out suddenly I'm making homemade whipped cream with my homemade ice cream. I just bought a meat slicer and it's going on the end of my giant, empty island. I've got a steer in the freezer and I know it'll come in handy. I still hate the clutter and I'm trying to find a balance. Some way I can hide most of them and still make them accessible. (An appliance lift may be the answer. An appliance garage is another option. We'll see.) But I did discover that I move very differently when I don't have to lug a 25-30 lb appliance off an upper shelf to the counter then wash it, wipe it down, and wrestle it back onto the shelf when I'm done with it.

[@RED-cy7ig]

I totally agree with you regarding everything you said.

[@tyleranderson4852]

Every single point was so true!! I think especially the wall to wall carpet point. We have lived in many homes both owned and rented over the years and honestly the only thing we heard for years with every home we owed was to not do wall to wall carpet. But having lived in so many rental homes and apartments over the years and dealing with constant noise bc floors were the modern non carpet type , we knew the value and quality of space carpet would bring. I think a better general rule should be carpet in the upstairs bedrooms and hardwood in main living areas. It makes life so much easier. 😊

[@lormor460]

I love this video! ❤❤ Such a breath of fresh air!!

[@jeannineterese1037]

You make a great point about the wood ceiling beams.

[@pcbogie1]

Just wanted to tell you that I really enjoy watching your videos. I love your hair color. You are melting away right in front of our eyes. I don’t know what your doing but you look fantastic. Take care. 😎

[@kitfranzman4860]

Thank you for showing us how to be fierce on wanting what we want in our home.

[@makeapositivedifference]

Welcome back to earth! 😉 The art thing speaks to me because I have a number of art pieces made by my son that are important to me, and for me to display. ( Done by him in high school and college).

[@traceygartrell3419]

Thank you for sharing

[@carolyngrotaers4454]

KB, you have raised perfect logical points.👏 Please continue with these great videos. 😀

[@wisteria808]

Loved this video. Practical advice from a gifted designer.

[@leewhite8355]

You are fabulous! Crack me up ! Common sense from someone at last!👏👏👏⭐️❤️

[@izishillboldon6036]

KB, you are right on the money with this one. File this away for me with my others. Being "practical" make all the sense in the world. I really, really, really do love the advice about the kitchen. I do like having certain items available, like coffee pot and toaster. Great presentation.

[@KivaBrent]

Thank you so much!!! One day I was hiding my coffee machine and I was like, “Kiva, get real. You live here.”

[@staceykersting705]

My counters are usually crowded with my big bamboo cutting board, avocados, lemons, apples, whatever...also a few larger plant cuttings in various vessels. It makes a rather sloppy vignette, but it's my house.

[@niameanspurpose]

i cleared out an upper cabinet for my toaster, coffee items and first aid kit. oh and my mugs. i dont like clutter i do like accessibility. i tuck it all away at night and im good.

[@lillis2943]

Great video, thanks for sharing!

[@KivaBrent]

Thanks for watching!!!

[@catwhsprr4313]

I love your advice and opinions (probably because they are same as mine)! The advice about artwork was especially helpful. I do need ideas for decorating a very bland bathroom, floors, wall decor and accessories.

[@KivaBrent]

I can certainly make a video on that soon!

[@moniquegaines5731]

“……catch me outside…..how ‘bout that”😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Stellaperez658]

Such a good video! Thank you!

[@kathyberman3118]

Looking great Kiva!

[@tanyaflynn4908]

Miss Kiva, you're looking amazing!! Love your channel!! Thank you for another great video!

[@KivaBrent]

Thank you so much!!

[@carolematar3760]

Yes yes yes ; finally advice along my line of thinking!

[@KivaBrent]

Yay I’m so glad!!

[@dimplesd8931]

Great advice! I’ll hold your purse and earrings while you’re outside dealing with the designers who disagree with you 😂😂😂

[@janeshears857]

I love the fake snake on the table!! Hope it becomes the next big thing because I have one I bought to scare the birds away!!🤣

[@juneskidmore6324]

So happy to hear your advice about art!

[@KivaBrent]

Yay, I’m glad 😊.

[@niecee2196]

Spot on, Kiva!! 😊

[@Riggsthetiel]

Hahaha, love the extra attitude in this video! ❤

[@jamierouse9809]

It's smart to layer rugs on top of carpet when you're renting. Helps you get your deposit back from spills and stains.

[@neldanunez-corte6810]

Thank you so much!

[@vlong7112]

Thank you for this!!! I'm having the hardest time finding art for my office for this exact reason! AND I put a rug on my carpet 🙈😂

[@changeyourshoes123]

i love wall to wall carpeting!

[@clemdane]

Yes please explore the other tenets of design!

[@finesse__1548]

I don't understand the design trend of setting a fancy magnifying glass on a stack of books. I would LMAO if I saw one of my guests reading a coffee table book using a magnifying glass. 😂

[@cynthiapittard4086]

I totally agree with you re the kitchen

[@raedorin979]

I agree on appliances. My toaster and coffee maker stay out. I put away the ones i don't use often but if I'm using it more than once a day is definitely not going in the cupboard

[@debefeldman]

Great video Kiva. Love your videos.🥰😀👏

[@KivaBrent]

Thank you! 💕💕

[@user-yd4yr5hr3s]

❤️❤️❤️asymmetrical balance that is my gem as a designer it is fun interesting beautiful and very natural found all over in nature and I love nature🥰

[@The_Earths_BackYard]

She said “catch me outside “lol

[@KivaBrent]

I edited out the screen recording of the dr Phil segment 😂

[@nicolemiller-rocque1076]

The "Catch me outside" took me out 😂

[@VickyHafler]

Great advice. I’m putting a rug over wall to walk under my dining room table. Just going to do it… I would love to have wood floors but the subfloor is uneven concrete and it can’t happen 😢 so the carpet stays.

[@sandieedward993]

Well said, Kiva😮

[@anneaton921]

You nailed it!!🥰

[@KivaBrent]

Thanks, Ann! How’s your day going?

[@verreal]

If you have one piece of art that just sticks out and doesn't work with the others, just put it in a small bedroom or your home office, out of direct sunlight of course. Maybe later you'll see one other piece that can complement that and also hang it in the smaller room. There, I have solved the problem. I also remember reading that if you're buying art to match your sofa, you know nothing about art, because in this case, you just think you should have something there rather than loving the piece. However, I've come to realize people fall into two categories: those who love lots of different colors going on at the same time, and those who gravitate towards a certain color scheme without trying too hard. So it's also okay if you like art that happens to match your sofa.

[@B_is_for_butter]

Great video! Not on board with carpet though due to allergies and it's not very practical if you have pets that shed a lot. I've tried out a lot of vacuums over the years but haven't found one with the right suction power for carpet.

[@yvonnedozier5468]

Everything speaks object speaks it depends on what type of design style you’re doing bottom line you have to have great taste ❤️

[@cindywannamaker5299]

Girl, looking good. Ms Skinny!!

[@avocadobisque7939]

1st advice 'All Art should Match' haha what? That is the wildest decor advice I've heard, glad you grew up from it

[@PhoenixYani]

Thank you for this! Have you discussed how to cohesively paint your home?

[@willsx2]

I think this was one of your best videos. Only thing I would add is, if putting a rug over carpet, be sure to secure it all around or it could be a tripping hazard.

[@KivaBrent]

Suchhhhhh an excellent point! Sorry I didn’t say that! Thanks for watching 😊.

[@joannejohnson6356]

What is the best way to secure an area rug onto wall-to-wall carpeting?

[@willsx2]

@@joannejohnson6356 I know there is double sided rug tape but you need to be careful and read the reviews. Some leave a sticky residue that is very hard to remove. There are probably other options out there, I just have never had to do it.

[@shaunnarochelle]

agreed matching artwork also leans toward the death of different art styles (which leads to the death of artists careers) because people will often be much more likely to always go for neutral, minimal art because its easier to curate and match and is the trend now.

[@maralfniqle5092]

One can find real gems in Art student exhibitions at your local college or high school. And who knows one day they may be famous.

[@hoedown175]

Thank you for saying it’s ok to put rugs on wall to wall carpeting. We all know who said don’t do it but we’re going to ignore that piece of advice. Lol

[@margaretbucaro7776]

That's some serious SAS today, I love it 😂

[@clemdane]

I have a framed, stylized print of the Swedish Chef from the Muppets in my kitchen! I might also put up a framed watercolor of different spice plants, though it's a bit on the nose...

[@yvonnedozier5468]

You have to have great taste ❤️

[@hajras]

Thank you for saying rugs can go on wall to wall carpet!!!

[@robinbirdj743]

❤ Sense!❤️

[@angelinekilborne34]

Good advice. My current kitchen has very little counter space. I put appliances in cabinet and never use them...too much trouble to get them out.

[@KivaBrent]

That’s super fair!

[@ivettecuevas4466]

Lol you made me laugh with some of your comments. Awesome

[@NuNugirl]

I advise you to find a good framing shop. I just had three pieces framed. One I had reframed to change the look of the piece.

[@traceywiseheart6424]

Yes!!!! Is there a forest underground?! 😂😂😂

[@mariastathopoulos744]

Along the same line of wood beams, saturated farmhouse interior when you live in suburbia / inner city. Coastal (Hamptons) interior when there isn't a beach or lake in close proximity (no more than 15 minutes away). When the location view isn't in harmony with the interior of the home, it looks displaced and comical.

[@user-yd4yr5hr3s]

You are funny love your humor 😆

[@KivaBrent]

Thanks so much!

[@lovealwaysmom]

My pet peeves - putting unframed artwork in bathrooms - hello moisture - covering beautiful wood floors with area rugs to the point that you can barely see the floor. Why then spend the money for the wood floor - decorating kitchens to the point that the counters can't be used - lighting placed where when you stand up you hit your head - unfinished furniture - undersides and the back panels - sofas covered with pillows - I want to be able to lounge there. - ottomans that don't have storage - I like me a dual purpose piece of furniture/object - frigs covered with photos, notes, magnets, etc .......... - nick knacks galore - seeing spaces and seeing all the maintenance that would be required. - having spaces that aren't used. The rooms that are for looks. I see these as a waste. - Again these are my opinions. You do you and I will do me. - people putting down others choices!!!! It is their space. You don't live there.

[@TamarLitvot]

“Fridges covered with photos notes magnets” are what families with busy lives who want a simple way to display their kids’ or grandkisds’ artwork and keep track of life do. If your kitchen is too fancy for that, that’s kind of sad.

[@lovealwaysmom]

@@TamarLitvot Even when my now adult children were young and we had busy lives, I didn't care for my frig to have such things. I used other methods. This is what I like and it isn't sad to me. For those that do have items on their frig and that is what works for them, that is wonderful. I'm not here to judge or to be judged.

[@clemdane]

Wooden beams on low ceilings make me think of those Tudor houses in the UK that were built when the average person was 5'4". Those always make me claustrophobic

[@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley]

Oh snaps, I'm early! But I love this video and ask that you please do more! I have an abatract painting from my mom, but didn't want to buy materials to try to create a mother/daughter match for it, so I was going to get a print. I found tons of blue abstract prints, but none that really matched my mom's. Plus, they were the prints from Etsy where I worried the artist wasn't going to receive anything from the sale. This lead me down a rabbit hole for another site that actually would compensate the artist, but the cost was/is a tinge high for me. So! As I'm trying to do what I call "industrial-esque" deisgn (I have tan carpet and walls, with weird, semi-popcorned ceilings, my apartment is nobodies "industrial" 😂), I decided to look at using a different material altogether. I'm thinking about going far left field and using Displate's metal posters instead. The metal ties back into industrial, I can have them framed as well, and I can ensure that what I buy, if made by a small artist, will compensate them. And there's loads of interesting ideas to choose from. There's a few cyberpunk cityscape styles I like that absolutely would not match the large painting in the dining room, but I like your comment about different art telling a story and that's what I think I'm going to be leaning into 😊 Great advice, thank you.

[@KivaBrent]

I think the metal posters will look INCREDIBLE! I want to see it when you do it. Art is fun and you should have fun with it. Also, I’m all for industrial-esque design. That’ll be my next home 😊.

[@sharibrennan2321]

Great options. Can also buy photography that is printed on metal

[@pman2916]

Totally agree with the art over the oven. Unless noone cooks in your house, I don't recommend it either.

[@carolyndurham4888]

Omg HAHAHAA You don’t like the rug on my wall-to-wall carpet??… catch me outside 😂😂😭😭🤣🤣

[@CarrieNita]

My best friend I have to agree to disagree about decorating. I find assymetry more interesting, and she wants everything balanced. I love her, even though she's wrong. HA!

[@HR-re6mr]

I like sassy Kiva...LOL Particularly for art I only buy what I love. I don't match colors or themes or anything. Each piece stands alone and you should purchase based on it. I also frame based on the piece not to match other works. The most I can say is I have several black frames but they are not the same frame. Some are matted, some are floating...it's framed based on the piece.

[@Firas.952]

Agree

[@jamierouse9809]

A way to make my kitchen appliances unique is that I buy the high quality, multipurpose brands that aren't in most kitchens that I've seen. Such as my Nija Hot & Cold Brew System, or my digital Instant Pot Max.

[@KivaBrent]

That's such a great tip!

[@flopipop5376]

In Europe we are more into asymmetrical balance. It is so much eye catching

[@joycesolomon4215]

I have a very eclectic art collection. Much is my art.