Learn how much room to allow for furniture, and tricks you can use to make the most of a tight space.

Kitchen islands are a much-sought-after feature — A well-planned island layout can allow a smooth workflow and provide a comfortable space for preparing and cooking food. Islands also frequently provide space for dining, working and storage. But while a well-planned layout offers much enjoyment, a poorly planned island can be frustrating. This is particularly true if there is insufficient space for an island to begin with. If you’re considering a kitchen island, follow these tips to help you decide whether you have enough space to make an island work for you.

One of the easiest and simplest ways to give a bedroom a big wallop of design is with an accent wall. You could make the case that the best place to do this is behind the headboard, because the rest of the room should bow down to the place where we lay our heads, rather than compete with it, right? The process can be as simple as painting the wall a different color. But with options available today like 3-D cement tiles and mica wallpaper, you might want to consider the range of choices before making a decision. Check out some of these beautiful and creative ideas for bedroom accent walls.

The holidays may seem like a long way off, but they are right around the corner when it comes to interior design. Do you have a design project you’d like to complete before hosting Thanksgiving dinner or a holiday party? Contact your favorite interior designer; her schedule is filling-up. It’s time to start now!

Bring your room to life with these expert tips for grouping artwork and photographs.