Facilitate smart-looking design with smart storage.

Toronto designer Brian Gluckstein makes this elegant and modern Georgian home unfussy and livable, thanks to closed cabinets and hidden storage. The kitchen balances style with practicality: panelling on the fridge keeps it discreet while honed granite countertops hide fingerprints. In the bathroom, quiet artwork and serene colours transform the room into a luxury retreat. Towels and toiletries are tucked away, giving the beautiful architectural details the attention they deserve.

For more designer style secrets, see our photo gallery.

Double up on key furniture pieces to create a symmetrical layout.

English bureaus flank the fireplace, corralling clutter in this formal yet cosy space. Timeless silhouettes upholstered in family-friendly fabrics meet the demands of everyday use.

Put personality on display with colours and patterns.

Karen Cole — interior designer for ColeDuron Interior Design — has a bold and eclectic personal style. Her advice for an organized home: “Have dual-functioning pieces so everything has a proper resting place.” She also organizes furniture to work with the space’s natural lighting, creating cosy reading nooks and welcoming, well-lit entertaining areas.

Watch a video tour of Cole’s bohemian-chic house. Plus, get more designer style secrets in our photo gallery.

Use furniture pieces in new ways — cabinets can make wonderful bedside tables.

In designer Karen Cole’s bedroom, two mismatched tall found cabinets stand on either side of the bed and act as storage units for socks and delicates. A large kilim-upholstered ottoman, layered atop a graphic Madeline Weinrib area rug, brings the home’s exotic feel upstairs.

Find more Designer Style Secrets and Bedside Table Styling Tricks.

Use clear lucite tables and chairs to make narrow rooms look spacious.

Designer Christine Ralphs of Lloyd Ralphs Design is well known for her signature monochromatic colour scheme paired with bold zebra prints. She prefers a streamlined black, white and neutral palette with classic furniture and a few glamorous accent pieces, such as the gold kitchen faucet and an oversized, ornate mirror. Clear side tables maximize space and keep the eye focused on the surrounding artwork.

For more designer style secrets, see our photo gallery. Also, see more trendy interiors by Lloyd Ralphs Design.

Consider white walls and pale wood floors to lighten an airy, open space.

Symmetry is key in the layout of this dining area. A pair of floor lamps sit on either side of a black and white photography display. Two white bird sculptures are perched atop the table, which is surrounded by casual, Eames style chairs. The delicate lines of the glass dining table make the room look even more more spacious.

For more beautiful interiors by Lloyd Ralphs Design, see our photo gallery. Also, see other designer spaces with our Michael Angus gallery.

Choose neutrals to visually expand small, stylish spaces.

Cheryl’s modern condo dining room, designed by Allen Chan, Anwar Mukhayesh and Matt Davis of HGTV’s Designer Guys, has a touch of country. The designers like to juxtapose old and new. Here, a rustic harvest table made by Cheryl’s dad is paired with sleek, modern chairs in two contrasting colours. Three light fixtures — odd numbers always look good — add an unexpected bohemian touch.

For more designer style secrets, see our photo gallery.

Use grey, brown and taupe hues to create a zen vibe.

Toss pillows and a fur throw add a luxurious touch to a modern linen sectional in Cheryl's living room. The Designer Guys chose to keep the seating low, creating the illusion of higher ceilings in the space.

Celebrate a fantastic view with big, floor-to-ceiling windows.

CityLine Design/Build Contractor Ramsin Khachi and his team opened up a 1960’s bungalow to create an airy living space. Engineered materials, such as the wide-plank flooring and a travertine kitchen island create a natural look, which contrasts nicely with the modern-industrial space. His motto: “Be creative. Not everything needs to cost a lot.”

For more designer style secrets, see our photo gallery. Also, see an Online TV tour of this dramatic bungalow makeover.

Open up adjacent rooms to create a sense of space.

CityLine Design/Build Contractor Ramsin Khachi and his team took down walls that blocked natural light, therefore creating a lovely flow between rooms in this 1960s bungalow. Using a rustic-looking flooring adds richness and warmth to an otherwise industrial space. Mixing and matching natural and industrialized materials is a great trick to keeping a look fresh and chic, as well as under budget.

For more designer style secrets, see our photo gallery. Also, see an Online TV tour of this dramatic bungalow makeover.

Make neutrals bolder with graphic prints.

The Toronto-based designer, and host of shows like HGTV’s Sarah’s House and Sarah 101,
combines a horizontal stripe wallpaper with similarly striped Olivia chairs. Introducing patterned furniture in a room with patterned walls seems risky, but the neutral colour palette keeps it sleek and simple. A pair of chairs in a pretty colour are a good investment, too. Choose a colour and fabric you absolutely love, as it will not suffer from the same wear and tear as a couch.

For more designer style secrets, see our photo gallery. Also, see more of Sarah’s designs in our photo gallery.

Use curved-back chairs to temper an otherwise boxy space.

At night, a mirrored wall in this dining room reflects the city lights. The capiz shell fixture casts a warm glow like the moon in the sky, says designer Sarah Richardson, host of HGTV’s Sarah’s House and Sarah’s Cottage. A Zebrano-wood table base grounds the room.

See more of Sarah’s designs in our photo gallery.

What’s hot for 2011?

“Brass is the new chrome!” says the Toronto designer, HGTV favourite, and co-host of shows like Sarah’s House and Sarah 101. His living room bookshelf is right on trend — vintage and shiny, piled high with his favourite design books. He also predicts fashion hues will show up in interiors — combinations of orange, purple and grey, for example. In his living room, he uses an unconventional mix of patterns to give classic silhouettes contemporary flair, just like designers do on the runway. The abstract leopard print on the chair works with the bold stripes on the rug and throw pillow — an unexpected yet fun combination.

See more trends in our Designers’ Top Trends Of 2011 photo gallery.

An all-white backdrop makes art and objets stand out.

Tommy loves mixing modern and vintage. In this living room, he created a lovely mantel display using contemporary art and vintage collectibles. Crisp colours and shapes keep the look fresh.

What’s hot for 2011?

Toronto designer Anne Hepfer sees 2011 as a brighter, more colourful year for interiors. She thinks people are experimenting with more whimsical patterns and graphic wallpaper and fabric. This converted den hits all the right notes — a bold suzani, striking red wallpaper, and patterned furniture for a graphic punch.

See more trends in our Designers’ Top Trends Of 2011 photo gallery.

Create an old-world atmosphere with patterned bedding, ambient lighting, matching side tables and art in mirrored frames.

To add height and dramatic flair to a bedroom, Anne suggests adding a ceiling mounted canopy made of the same fabric as the bed skirt. For a uniform look, she carried the same shade of green throughout the room.