One Kings Lane Answers Your Trickiest Design Questions

An apartment at One Hudson Yards that was designed by the team at One Kings Lane.

Whether you're intimidated by the blank white walls in your new home, or have been living in your apartment for years but have always felt that something about the design was just a bit off, professional designers can help you make sense of your space and turn it into the beautiful sanctuary you always hoped it could be.

That's why we've partnered with the experts at One Kings Lane to create custom design packages exclusively for Related residents. Below, the Director of Interior Design Becca Roderick shares her answers to some of the most frequently asked questions she's received so far from Related residents wanting to spruce up their homes.

I have a whole wall of floor-to-ceiling windows in my apartment. What should I do?

This is a fantastic problem to have! A wall of windows is such a great architectural feature and allows the view to become part of your space. There’s really nothing you have to do to make that wall feel complete as the view likely speaks for itself. I encourage clients to consider a full wall of windows the same way you would think about any wall in your space. It actually sometimes makes sense to put furniture in front of a wall of windows – I particularly love it when people put their media console and tv in front of the windows. That's a great way to take advantage of the space, because unlike in rooms with only a singular window, you only block a portion of the windows. What a great experience to be able to watch tv and enjoy the view!

What’s a design mistake that you see people make over and over again?

Rugs can be a particularly tricky item to purchase. It’s hard to know exactly what size to buy, and you’re often faced with several options to choose from. I think that’s why people often make the mistake of buying a rug that is too small for their space. I see it over and over again, homes with beautiful furniture, great artwork and a rug that is way too small for the room! A good rule of thumb for a living room is to make sure that the front legs of your primary chairs and sofa pieces are all able to fit on the rug, and it’s even better if your entire seating area rests on the rug. For a dining room, the rug should contain the table and chairs when they are pulled away from the table, which usually means that the rug extends about 24 inches on each side of the table. You can see all of the rugs One Kings Lane has to offer here; always feel free to reach out to the design team if you need help selecting the size that works best for your space.

I need help hanging my artwork. Is there a standard height that works well for most pieces?

You want your art to be hung so that the center of the piece is at eye level for most people. This means that the center of the piece is at about 60 inches off the floor. If your ceilings are over 8 feet, you’ll want to hang the art slightly higher than is standard - up to 65 inches from the floor to the center of the artwork. The same rule of thumb is also true for gallery walls. You’d want to make sure that the mid-point of the gallery collection is at about eye level. As with all design rules, there are exceptions, so I do encourage you to preview your art in the space before it is affixed to the wall.

What’s a favorite trick for making a rental feel like your own?

Something renters don’t often think about is swapping out light fixtures. It’s actually a very easy process to change one light fixture for another. An electrician can easily make the change for you, and it’s generally not an expensive service. The key is to keep the lights in the exact location where they currently exist and simply change out the fixture. There are so many great light fixtures to choose from – including many affordable options – that it’s the perfect way to show off your personality. It creates a space that feels customized and elevated as soon as the lights are installed. A new pendant over the kitchen island, for instance, immediately makes the space feel like your own. Also, when it comes time to move, you can swap them back to the originals and take your fixtures with you to your next apartment, making it a worthwhile investment.

I don’t have a huge budget, but I want a space that makes me feel settled in my new apartment. How do I know if it’s worth it to me to spend money on an interior designer?

Working with a seasoned professional will save you both time and money, so even if you have a small budget, it is definitely worth it to seek out professional assistance. One great thing about working with the team at One Kings Lane Interior Design is that we can tailor a design package especially for you and your budget. Not only are our design packages reasonably priced – the best deal in the industry if you ask me! – but we have an option for every price point. Whether you have a large budget and want to re-design your space from scratch or you just want to make a few impactful changes, we are here to help.

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