As a professional organizer, home stylist AND a person who has worked in many homes, I would love to share what I immediately question as I walk into a space:
Is your front entrance making an impression? The front entrance is where you transition physically and emotionally from the exterior to interior. Even if it is cramped and chaotic it still can be an organized space. Are there creative solutions in place that work with your habits and lifestyle? Does everything need to be visible? Is your storage here both functional and pleasing to the eye?
Source: Pottery Barn
Is there good traffic flow? Good traffic flow can create a sense of openness and ease of movement. Is there a natural path through each room? Is the furniture placement promoting or hindering a good flow?
Is there a sense of balance and scale? What is the size of the room and are the pieces appropriately sized and scaled to the room and to each other? What is the relationship of one thing next to another? Is the visual weight of the pieces balanced? Is there a tiny lamp on a huge table or a king-size bed squeezed into a queen-sized room?
Does the room have breathing room and harmony? Is there too much stuff in the room and does it feel pulled together? Every room needs some breathing room in order to function and offer visual balance. Harmony, or repetition in the form of a color, texture, shape or line, helps unify a space.
Is the lighting layered? Are you relying on one large overhead light or only recessed lighting? Are you correctly combining different types of lighting, like ambient, task and accent? A combination of floor and table lamps, picture lights and chandeliers create really great design.
Source: roomfortuesday.com
Is your personal style on display? Lack of personality makes your space look boring and sterile. But don’t copy and paste from a big box store or catalog. Figure out what makes your heart sing (mementos from a trip, your kids’ art or a collection that has special meaning) and let it shine!
Are you using all possible spaces for storage? In tighter places and places with more clutter, it is important to get creative with storage ideas. Utilize real estate under a bed, behind a door, and up a wall when possible.
Source: The Container Store