Thank you so much, Laurie! For sure not everyone lives in large houses. I've got lots more coming up, just have to get through my current work load. Thanks for stopping by :)
I just found your channel and I love it. My pet peeve is word art...ya' know, like those signs that say blessed and home, etc. I agree with all of your pet peeves too! I'll be binging your past videos now!
Oh Cynthia, you're speaking my language! Yes, I get it, "it's wine o'clock' somewhere." And, I don't need to see a sign that says, "beach this way" or "farm fresh eggs" if you live in a 4 story walk up in Queens, right?
I live in a house in Arizona...must be another Cynthia...lol. My husband is working in Alabama...Huntsville area...we're renting an apartment in Madison. I decide my time up between here and our home. Love your channel!
I love all the extra explaination that you do. I have very little design expertise and all the ideas I can get is helpful. So keep "overtalking" for those of us who need it.
Thank you for your expertise. It is very informative and I am so glad you address small spaces. So many of us have downsized when we get in the golden years. Good luck with your new adventure. I look forward to more of your videos.
Peeve 11 Tell that to my husband! It just fits on the wall in a corner alcove above a cabinet. Luckily I have a beautiful marble fireplace to detract from it. You are right. Don’t place the tv above a fireplace. Not just from neck ache perspective but it won’t do the tv any good.
I've seen many designer youtubers throw their moms under the bus, it seems moms are often a big reason why people choose this profession 😅😅 Great content, very useful tips
Mar, I think that could be true. rugs are an investment and I think some folks think that a small version of an expensive rug will give them the same impact. I'd rather see an inexpensive rug fill a space than a small expensive rug that doesn't fill the space. The other thing I hear a lot is, 'the flooring was very expensive and I don't want to cover it.' INO, a rug enhances the floor. It protects it. Rugs do triple duty: sound abatement, anchoring furniture and enhance decor.
Your channel just popped up in my recommended and love it. My home is not small but most of the rooms are small and some of the spaces are awkward so I'll definitely be binging you, and you have a new subscriber. I watch on my tablet and unfortunately when You tubers say "I'll link this or that below" I can't see it for some reason. Could you possibly share your other links so I can learn more?
Certainly, CCis Right. (great handle, btw...) You can find me on Pinterest, Insta, Facebook @interiorsmh. The best place to find me is my website. I blog much more often and there's a ton of tricky, awkward and small room stuff over there: www.michaelhelwiginteriors.com
Lol. I'm all for chair rails... in a dining room where the walls need protection from the back of a chair. Not a fan of them in say, the bathroom. Last I checked the seat in there doesn't scoot back and forth. (If it does, that's a different type of peeve...) Thanks for the comment! :)
Loved this and agree with everything! I have an L shaped living/dining room with a 6 ft angled wall (which contains the fireplace) and one part of the longest wall contains a set of 6 ft patio doors. Arranging that nightmare wasn't easy but I used pretty much all of your theories including mirrors, mantle contrasts and an 8X10 rug. The only place we differed was that my sofa is on the shorter part of the rug as my late husband was in a wheelchair so had to allow him lots of space. Works like a charm and have left it that way. I also recently inherited two low backed 1950s tub chairs which swivel along with a smaller round teak dining table and chairs, thus removing sharp corners in the dining room to whack against. Still need to get one of the chairs reupholstered in a more up to date fabric but the whole thing works well. Your site gets a follow from me as we seem to think alike, LOL!
Hi Max, Thank you so much for the comment! It's awesome to discover like minded people, right? Your room sounds great and all those little tricks like mirrors, rounded furniture really do work in L shaped rooms! Thanks for subscribing! There's more videos on the way, just been so busy lately, which is a very good thing. Best, Michael
I also love white walls. White is so exciting. It reduces the visual noise and allows you to focus. White is the new canvas that your paint your thoughts and feelings into.
Suzzan. I understand. It's not for everyone. My opinion is that bold window treatments tend to overpower small rooms. I'm all for bright and bold bedding, accents, decor though. Selecting window treatments closer to the wall color highlights the height and structure of windows (can also add height in many cases too) and I prefer simple statements for walls and windows. But, a tone-on-tone pattern can be a beautiful way to bring in definition instead of saturated color. Thanks for commenting. :)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Good video. However, I own a large T.V. in my 400 sq-ft condo although no one knows is a t.v. since I camouflage it with a beautiful painting on the screen which is framed plus I get compliments on the painting. Lastly, I concur with the other advice's on how to decor one's small place. Stay Safe & Healthy... Abrazos
I loved this video and agreed with it all. I would also add...and it also applies to larger spaces...TOO SHORT CURTAINS!!! They hurt my eyes! I will admit...a couple of decades ago...I was guilty of some of your peeves (due to inexperience and lack of funds). Thankfully I have mended my ways. :)
My 70 inches TV (62 inches width) is at the end of a 20 ft room above a fireplace. I believe if the room is long and the TV is placed at a far end it can work. People can follow the guides for TV distance away from the couch to find the correct size. I like the idea of accent walls and patterned window treatments.
Hi Abbe, I would agree that, in longer rooms, the height of a TV mounted on a wall or above a FP can be less stressful on your neck. I'm still not a fan of TV over the FP, especially if the FP is wood burning. It could lead to an expensive replacement of the TV... My POV for decorating is that there are no decorating mistakes. If you love something - patterned window treatments - I say embrace them. My decorating opinions are just that, my opinions, lol. Thanks for watching!
Just found your channel and am enjoying it! One question (re Peeve #2 - angeled furniture): isn't that brown chair over your right shoulder angeled? Not trying to be petty or nitpick but do you mean that literally NO furniture should be angeled or is it okay to angle an accent chair? 35:39
I'm so glad you're enjoying my channel. Thanks for the chance to clarify. You are correct, the chair in my office, over my shoulder, is indeed angled. What I mean is don't angle furniture where it will block a pathway or cause an unnecessary obstruction in a room. For example, angling a sofa across a room where you would have to adjust your navigation into and through the room. Or, angling a bed across the room in a small bedroom - making it difficult to walk around. Angling a chair in a corner is fine because that usually helps to facilitate a functional conversation type seating arrangement, like a sofa and angled chair combination, for example. Or, like my office chair, a reading nook corner. The "rule" would be, don't obstruct a pathway with angled furniture. Hope this is helpful? :)
My bedroom has a single window only on the right half of the wall behind the bed, and I just extended the curtains all the way across. It gives the room symmetry and doesn't draw attention to it. (But you can't open the curtains on the left side, since you see wall)
Are you familiar with the mirror trick, where you hang a mirror the same size as the window? This allows for symmetry and a way to open the curtains when you want the full light during the day. The mirror becomes an illusion, looking like another window next to the actual window. Check that out here: michaelhelwiginteriors.com/2017-blog/2020/7/17/20-incredibly-clever-ways-to-decorate-with-mirrors-in-a-small-living-room
@@MichaelHelwig I actually thought about doing that--it just might be hard to find a mirror that's close enough to the size of my window. I like the idea overall though. I'm actually more intrigued by creating a fake window with backlighting, but as a renter I can't really do that...(a big, fake skylight intrigues me even more, but it's insanely expensive)
....I enjoyed the video , your Channel came up on a" recommendation " .. I happen to like " angled " furniture depending on what is going on ,in that room. I take into consideration the Feng Shui, sleeping and sitting directions, etc. There are instances that it works, or is best for the person living in that particular space. Most other things you touched on are good , basic design ....sometimes there has to be a little flexibility when looking at it from Feng Shui perspectives. Thank you for sharing your list !! 🙂
Thank you so much for commenting. I agree, Feng Shui is something I'd love to learn more about so I can offer the best advice possible. As I was planning my vision board for 2022, learning about Feng Shui is on the list. I even planned my VB in a Bagua map grid. I found it very helpful for visually arranging my goals and I'm certain it will help me to actualize them as well. :)
@Michael Helwig ....that is so kind of you to reply , thank you ! One designer that knows A LOT about Feng Shui is Julie k. I do follow her and she has many videos dedicated to Feng Shui. Plus, she's adorable in the way she also uses humour at times in her video presentation. I will find the link to her Channel.
@Michael Helwig ... here's a link to one of her videos,... ruclips.net/video/XfDcAgsXOS0/видео.html I've followed Feng Shui, since 1993, I didn't know what it was,when I was actually " practicing it" by rearranging things until they " felt right, " lol.
Michael, you are a wealth of knowledge and have great insight! The only constructive suggestion that I would offer is to think of your video much like you would style a mantle or bookshelf; tailor your content. If you put everything out on display, nothing is special. Streamline your comments. I'll look forward to watching more of your channel as you evolve and refine your editing style. Thanks for all of the styling and placement information.
I need help, I have a small house. The living room and dining room are together. The room is slim/ rectangular with more windows than wall ( 6 windows in a small area and there’s a fireplace.
Jessica, sounds like a typical narrow, tricky room. Good that there's so much light though - even if the windows cause layout headaches. Feel free to reach out to me at: www.michaelhelwiginteriors.com/contact-1 You can share pictures of the space, learn about my e design services and look over my blog all form that page. There's TONS of information on narrow rooms on the blog. (I have plans to turn much of the content into videos, but for now, that's where a lot of the answers are.) Thanks for reaching out. :)
I prefer etageres over bookshelves in small spaces. They are open - usually on the back and sides. When you can see the wall behind furniture in small rooms, it makes the room feel open instead of closed in.
We have lots of small spaces where I am. :) So this could be very popular but I put on 1.75 speed when I saw the total duration of video. But that's exhausting. Yes, keep content but briefer. You made your point sooner than you thought. Also, a little sarcastic eg "hello 1997". It doesn't add anything. You obviously have a lot to say and good content. Blessings as you keep growing and thanks for sharing.
Love this . Never stop doing these kinds of videos
I love your channel. I have been searching for a channel like this. Not everyone lives in a huge, new, wide open home!
Thank you so much, Laurie! For sure not everyone lives in large houses. I've got lots more coming up, just have to get through my current work load. Thanks for stopping by :)
I’m all for new designers-- and people who share their “peeves’” respectfully. And “dog people”. And people who go “off the rails” …. Thanks. Monica
Well, Monica, You're in the right place. All Aboard!!!
I love your ‘honesty’ in your comments and presentation…good advice with a laugh here and there. Your dog was SO cute! Thanks for sharing
You are so welcome. Thanks so much for commenting!
I just found your channel and I love it. My pet peeve is word art...ya' know, like those signs that say blessed and home, etc. I agree with all of your pet peeves too! I'll be binging your past videos now!
Oh Cynthia, you're speaking my language! Yes, I get it, "it's wine o'clock' somewhere." And, I don't need to see a sign that says, "beach this way" or "farm fresh eggs" if you live in a 4 story walk up in Queens, right?
I live in a house in Arizona...must be another Cynthia...lol. My husband is working in Alabama...Huntsville area...we're renting an apartment in Madison. I decide my time up between here and our home. Love your channel!
I love all the extra explaination that you do. I have very little design expertise and all the ideas I can get is helpful. So keep "overtalking" for those of us who need it.
You are so welcome! Thanks for watching!
All very good information. Thank for sharing!
Thank you for your expertise. It is very informative and I am so glad you address small spaces. So many of us have downsized when we get in the golden years. Good luck with your new adventure. I look forward to more of your videos.
Glad it was helpful, Sandy. Thanks for hanging out here for a while!
Never apologize for an awesome dog. I have an awesome dog too.
Thanks for the reminder, Rocco. Awesome dogs rule!
I concur.... an awesome pet is part of Life . 🙂
Peeve 11 Tell that to my husband! It just fits on the wall in a corner alcove above a cabinet. Luckily I have a beautiful marble fireplace to detract from it.
You are right. Don’t place the tv above a fireplace. Not just from neck ache perspective but it won’t do the tv any good.
Right on, Dana! TV's over a wood burning FP is never a good idea. Thanks for the comment. :)
Just found your channel. Very informative, thank you.
Hi Sara, Thanks for the compliment. I appreciate you stopping by!
I've seen many designer youtubers throw their moms under the bus, it seems moms are often a big reason why people choose this profession 😅😅 Great content, very useful tips
So absolutely true, Dilmurod. My mom has pretty good taste even when I cringe, lol.
Thanks for the content. I like your humour and your pooch
Lol! The pooch is a personality, right? Thanks so much for the comment and for watching! :)
The area rugs mistake is because people purchase a rug by price not by size ,,, I truly believe that that is the reason ,,,
Mar, I think that could be true. rugs are an investment and I think some folks think that a small version of an expensive rug will give them the same impact. I'd rather see an inexpensive rug fill a space than a small expensive rug that doesn't fill the space.
The other thing I hear a lot is, 'the flooring was very expensive and I don't want to cover it.' INO, a rug enhances the floor. It protects it. Rugs do triple duty: sound abatement, anchoring furniture and enhance decor.
@@MichaelHelwig true
Thank you for sharing your knowledge, it truly helps
You are very welcome
Omg I love your dog
Lol, Diane, thanks so much. She definitely thinks she's in charge. I just go along with that :)
Your channel just popped up in my recommended and love it. My home is not small but most of the rooms are small and some of the spaces are awkward so I'll definitely be binging you, and you have a new subscriber.
I watch on my tablet and unfortunately when You tubers say "I'll link this or that below" I can't see it for some reason. Could you possibly share your other links so I can learn more?
Certainly, CCis Right. (great handle, btw...) You can find me on Pinterest, Insta, Facebook @interiorsmh. The best place to find me is my website. I blog much more often and there's a ton of tricky, awkward and small room stuff over there: www.michaelhelwiginteriors.com
I love your dog ,,, and again mg thank you , best video to the point ,,,, love it !!!
Thank you very much!
Discovered this channel today. Thanks for the information about small awkward spaces.
You're very welcome, Rhea. Thanks for stopping by!
I love chair rails!
Lol. I'm all for chair rails... in a dining room where the walls need protection from the back of a chair. Not a fan of them in say, the bathroom. Last I checked the seat in there doesn't scoot back and forth. (If it does, that's a different type of peeve...) Thanks for the comment! :)
Loved this and agree with everything! I have an L shaped living/dining room with a 6 ft angled wall (which contains the fireplace) and one part of the longest wall contains a set of 6 ft patio doors. Arranging that nightmare wasn't easy but I used pretty much all of your theories including mirrors, mantle contrasts and an 8X10 rug. The only place we differed was that my sofa is on the shorter part of the rug as my late husband was in a wheelchair so had to allow him lots of space. Works like a charm and have left it that way. I also recently inherited two low backed 1950s tub chairs which swivel along with a smaller round teak dining table and chairs, thus removing sharp corners in the dining room to whack against. Still need to get one of the chairs reupholstered in a more up to date fabric but the whole thing works well. Your site gets a follow from me as we seem to think alike, LOL!
Hi Max, Thank you so much for the comment! It's awesome to discover like minded people, right? Your room sounds great and all those little tricks like mirrors, rounded furniture really do work in L shaped rooms! Thanks for subscribing! There's more videos on the way, just been so busy lately, which is a very good thing. Best, Michael
I also love white walls. White is so exciting. It reduces the visual noise and allows you to focus. White is the new canvas that your paint your thoughts and feelings into.
So true, Crystal.
Matching window treatments to bed and wall depresses me. I don't even know why it just does.
Suzzan. I understand. It's not for everyone. My opinion is that bold window treatments tend to overpower small rooms. I'm all for bright and bold bedding, accents, decor though. Selecting window treatments closer to the wall color highlights the height and structure of windows (can also add height in many cases too) and I prefer simple statements for walls and windows. But, a tone-on-tone pattern can be a beautiful way to bring in definition instead of saturated color. Thanks for commenting. :)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Good video. However, I own a large T.V. in my 400 sq-ft condo although no one knows is a t.v. since I camouflage it with a beautiful painting on the screen which is framed plus I get compliments on the painting. Lastly, I concur with the other advice's on how to decor one's small place. Stay Safe & Healthy... Abrazos
Love a TV in disguise, Romano! Thanks for the compliment!
I loved this video and agreed with it all. I would also add...and it also applies to larger spaces...TOO SHORT CURTAINS!!! They hurt my eyes! I will admit...a couple of decades ago...I was guilty of some of your peeves (due to inexperience and lack of funds). Thankfully I have mended my ways. :)
So glad to hear that you have seen the light on long curtains, Alison! They make a huge difference! Thanks for stopping by. :)
My 70 inches TV (62 inches width) is at the end of a 20 ft room above a fireplace. I believe if the room is long and the TV is placed at a far end it can work. People can follow the guides for TV distance away from the couch to find the correct size. I like the idea of accent walls and patterned window treatments.
Hi Abbe, I would agree that, in longer rooms, the height of a TV mounted on a wall or above a FP can be less stressful on your neck.
I'm still not a fan of TV over the FP, especially if the FP is wood burning. It could lead to an expensive replacement of the TV...
My POV for decorating is that there are no decorating mistakes. If you love something - patterned window treatments - I say embrace them.
My decorating opinions are just that, my opinions, lol.
Thanks for watching!
@@MichaelHelwig Thanks for sharing.
Just found your channel and am enjoying it! One question (re Peeve #2 - angeled furniture): isn't that brown chair over your right shoulder angeled? Not trying to be petty or nitpick but do you mean that literally NO furniture should be angeled or is it okay to angle an accent chair? 35:39
I'm so glad you're enjoying my channel. Thanks for the chance to clarify. You are correct, the chair in my office, over my shoulder, is indeed angled. What I mean is don't angle furniture where it will block a pathway or cause an unnecessary obstruction in a room. For example, angling a sofa across a room where you would have to adjust your navigation into and through the room. Or, angling a bed across the room in a small bedroom - making it difficult to walk around. Angling a chair in a corner is fine because that usually helps to facilitate a functional conversation type seating arrangement, like a sofa and angled chair combination, for example. Or, like my office chair, a reading nook corner. The "rule" would be, don't obstruct a pathway with angled furniture. Hope this is helpful? :)
My bedroom has a single window only on the right half of the wall behind the bed, and I just extended the curtains all the way across. It gives the room symmetry and doesn't draw attention to it. (But you can't open the curtains on the left side, since you see wall)
Are you familiar with the mirror trick, where you hang a mirror the same size as the window? This allows for symmetry and a way to open the curtains when you want the full light during the day. The mirror becomes an illusion, looking like another window next to the actual window.
Check that out here:
michaelhelwiginteriors.com/2017-blog/2020/7/17/20-incredibly-clever-ways-to-decorate-with-mirrors-in-a-small-living-room
@@MichaelHelwig I actually thought about doing that--it just might be hard to find a mirror that's close enough to the size of my window. I like the idea overall though. I'm actually more intrigued by creating a fake window with backlighting, but as a renter I can't really do that...(a big, fake skylight intrigues me even more, but it's insanely expensive)
....I enjoyed the video , your Channel came up on a" recommendation " ..
I happen to like " angled " furniture depending on what is going on ,in that room. I take into consideration the Feng Shui, sleeping and sitting directions, etc. There are instances that it works, or is best for the person living in that particular space.
Most other things you touched on are good , basic design ....sometimes there has to be a little flexibility when looking at it from Feng Shui perspectives.
Thank you for sharing your list !!
🙂
Thank you so much for commenting. I agree, Feng Shui is something I'd love to learn more about so I can offer the best advice possible. As I was planning my vision board for 2022, learning about Feng Shui is on the list. I even planned my VB in a Bagua map grid. I found it very helpful for visually arranging my goals and I'm certain it will help me to actualize them as well. :)
@Michael Helwig ....that is so kind of you to reply , thank you ! One designer that knows A LOT about Feng Shui is Julie k.
I do follow her and she has many videos dedicated to Feng Shui. Plus, she's adorable in the way she also uses humour at times in her video presentation. I will find the link to her Channel.
@Michael Helwig ... here's a link to one of her videos,... ruclips.net/video/XfDcAgsXOS0/видео.html
I've followed Feng Shui, since 1993, I didn't know what it was,when I was actually " practicing it" by rearranging things until they " felt right, " lol.
Michael, you are a wealth of knowledge and have great insight! The only constructive suggestion that I would offer is to think of your video much like you would style a mantle or bookshelf; tailor your content. If you put everything out on display, nothing is special. Streamline your comments. I'll look forward to watching more of your channel as you evolve and refine your editing style. Thanks for all of the styling and placement information.
Thanks for the suggestions, Karla. I appreciate the feedback and will edit my future videos into more tailored content. Great insight!
Very useful, thank you
Glad it was helpful, Evgenia.
I need help, I have a small house. The living room and dining room are together. The room is slim/ rectangular with more windows than wall ( 6 windows in a small area and there’s a fireplace.
Jessica, sounds like a typical narrow, tricky room. Good that there's so much light though - even if the windows cause layout headaches. Feel free to reach out to me at:
www.michaelhelwiginteriors.com/contact-1
You can share pictures of the space, learn about my e design services and look over my blog all form that page.
There's TONS of information on narrow rooms on the blog. (I have plans to turn much of the content into videos, but for now, that's where a lot of the answers are.)
Thanks for reaching out. :)
Awesome video. 👍👍
Thank you! Cheers!
Talking to me. I have the large tv in a large room above the large fireplace.
It happens, Barbara. I won't hold it against you, promise! :)
What do you think about bookshelves??
I prefer etageres over bookshelves in small spaces. They are open - usually on the back and sides. When you can see the wall behind furniture in small rooms, it makes the room feel open instead of closed in.
Yea, I don’t need a big tv my husband on the other hand
That seems to be the norm... lol
Hello Sir I just found you.
Welcome, Kenneth. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Good informative video but waaay too much talking, while not showing examples.
Note received. I'll do better in the future. Thanks for watching.
Very long winded....
Thanks for the comment, Catherine. I'll work on that.
Video long, great content, pleasant, but maybe cut into a couple of separate video s.
We have lots of small spaces where I am. :) So this could be very popular but I put on 1.75 speed when I saw the total duration of video. But that's exhausting. Yes, keep content but briefer. You made your point sooner than you thought. Also, a little sarcastic eg "hello 1997". It doesn't add anything. You obviously have a lot to say and good content. Blessings as you keep growing and thanks for sharing.