I've worked as an interior designer for over 20 years. Here are 8 decorating 'rules' worth breaking.

Many interior design "rules" should be challenged and sometimes even broken. alvarez/Getty Images I've been an interior designer for years, and I believe some design "rules" are worth breaking. A room not working doesn't mean you need to make it bigger or completely remodel it. Don't avoid using furniture that's "too nice," or do open shelving just because it's in magazines. In my years working in interior design , I've had many clients approach me looking for definitive "rules" for decorating their homes. They want to know how to make their home look good and function better, assuming there is a set of guidelines to help them get there. Certainly, there are building codes, safety requirements, and circulation considerations that must be met. However, much of what we think of as design and decorating is guided by rules of thumb, best practices, and even cultural assumptions.