Have you ever wished you had the eye of an interior designer versed in design? Well, you’re in luck. We cannot approve you everything the knowledge of a professional, but we can give you an insider’s opinion. First: giving you a little insight into what interior designers first notice in spaces.

We highlighted three interior designers to prepare what stands out the most when they walk into a room. Read on for their thoughts, then look at your spaces with the fresh eyes of an interior designer.

Balance and scale

Do you trip over oversized furniture? Does your art look ridiculously small on your otherwise unadorned wall? Interior designers will certainly notice the unbalanced scale, and (probably) your smartest design-obsessed guests too. There are a few main culprits to watch out for.

“People often choose furniture that is too big for the space, which makes the room feel cluttered and cluttered,” says Fiore.

Other offenders? Wall art that isn’t grouped tightly enough or simply too small for the wall. We’ve all seen a small print get lost (and, frankly, look a bit random) on a large wall. Fixtures are another culprit, often not being properly scaled, either too powerful or awkwardly small, says Fiore.

“The subtle balance of scale, proportion, size and color makes the space inviting,” says Urdang Bodi. “It allows you to feel relaxed and calm in the space.”

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Books

According to Downing, what books you choose to keep in your space—and how you display them—is a glimpse into your personality. That’s why books are one of the first things she notices when she enters someone’s space.

“Are they in piles by the bed, neatly tucked away on bookshelves, or displayed on your coffee table? They may have a library full of titles they’ve collected over the years, or they may have none at all,” says Downing.

Art

Whether you’re framing family photos, a child’s finger painting, or a treasured piece of fine art, the artwork you choose to display in your home is likely to catch someone’s eye—especially an interior designer. Fiore, Urdang Bodie and Downing agree.

“Art provides color, authenticity and mood,” says Fiore. “It’s a very deep and personal reflection of who the occupant of the house is, what they value, and what kind of imagery appeals to them.”

Not only is art a great conversation starter, but it also sets a definite mood in a space. What tone are you aiming for? Maybe calm, brave or energetic?

Don’t get caught up in the idea that art also has to have a high price tag. The more personal, the better – no matter how much the piece costs.

“Art doesn’t have to have a distinguished provenance to be special,” says Downing. An array of family photos or personal heirlooms, from your grandparents’ wedding portrait to an illustration you picked up in Paris, will capture one’s attention in the same way a curated collection does.

Smells

Think about all the senses when designing a room, taking into account not only what you see, but also what you can touch, taste, hear and smell. In addition to how the room looks, Downing is quick to notice the smells of the space. Maybe it comes from lighting a candle, the brightness of cleaning products, air fresheners, or the politeness of cooking dinner in the kitchen.

“These indicators can tell you a lot about how someone inhabits their space,” she says.

Lighting

From harsh overhead lighting to overly dim task lighting to everything in between, Urdang Bodie always notices the way a room is lit. According to her, the spaces are usually not lit enough.

“We always include multiple light sources, including overhead, pendant, wall and floor,” says Urdang Bodie.

Invest in sculptural lighting fixtures that draw your attention so that the piece can double as a functional piece of art. Additionally, whenever possible, put all light sources on dimmers; it will allow you to control the brightness to match the mood.