forum I could use some help with my interior descriptions!

Started Mar 14 by @Writingwriter_01

tune

About a year ago, I started a discussion asking about tips and tricks with describing interiors. I feel like I'm always reading off a grocery list. I received a couple of good tips and tricks and I tried to incorporate them into my writing. I'm still not 100% sure that it feels cohesive so would you guys be willing to let me know what you think?

With a sigh, Alyra pushed open the large door that led to the dining hall. His eyes widened, taking in the large hall which had been redecorated. The large pillars that stretched up to the ceiling had been wrapped with different colored ribbons, and banners with colored symbols had been hung between them. The tables had all been rearranged too. Some had been pushed back towards the walls, while the others had been placed together in the middle of the room. Each table had been covered with a colored table cloth, with candles placed in the center which smelled oddly like oak.

Thank you!

Seems coherent to me! I also like the fact that the details are laid out similar to how the character would notice them. Makes it feel very organic

This looks good. A little tip from me that probably isn't applicable in this circumstance but is still helpful so you don't feel like you're writing down a grocery list is to incorporate discovering rather than seeing and to add intentions to your description. Very often you don't stop still and scan an entire room for every detail, you just sort of walk in and discover things. Likewise, there is no point ruining the pacing to describe something that isn't important. Like a character might discover a door is wood by accidentally bumping into it, or they might look around because they're bored and miss a piece of information that they'll need later adding some kind of pay off when that moment arises.