Transformative Tricks for a Swiftly Elegant Home Refresh
Ain't nothing like a room that's been dressed up by an interior designer, man. Be it a swanky, polished bedroom or an office that's all about contemporary cool, nailing that just-right vibe requires the perfect combination of furniture, lighting, and accessories – not to mention a sharp eye for scale, materials, and color. But here's the deal – the design process can be a real headache for many folks. With all those options out there, it's easy to either overdecorate and end up with a hot mess or underdecorate and leave your room feeling flat.
But fear not, mate! We've got the low-down on some decorating secrets from the pros that'll help turn that herculean task into a walk in the park. Read on and prepare to identify with these tip-dishing interior designers: Laura Jenkins, founder of Laura Jenkins Interiors; Caitlin Jones Ghajar, founder of Caitlin Jones Design; and Julia Miller, creative director of Yond Interiors.
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1. Don't Be Afraid of Color
"A little color can really liven up a room, and there are lots of ways to use it," says interior designer Laura Jenkins. "If you don't fancy saturating the walls, consider investing in a colorful sofa. I dig deep blues, maroons, and patterned sofas – they can really set your room apart!"
For instance, Jenkins gave a residential project in Charleston a boost with a baby-blue sectional in an all-white sitting area. She's also designed multiple kitchens with cabinetry painted in sophisticated jewel tones.
2. Showcase Your Collections
Everybody's got some stuff they dig showcasing. Some people it's vacation souvenirs, others it's ceramics or vintage finds. To keep your home from veering into thrift-store territory, interior designer Caitlin Jones Ghajar suggests grouping multiple items together on a tray to create a cohesive look.
She tried this in a home bar, where a cocktail set, glassware, and spirits sit together on a minimal tray. "Layers and accessories are what make a house a home and help an interior feel unique to the person living there," says Jenkins. For those on the hunt for meaningful accessories, she suggests looking no further than your own backyard.
"I like to tell my clients to find a couple of types of items they want to collect – for example, pottery," she adds. "Pottery's a great accessory that you can collect during your travels, at thrift stores, and at your local festivals. It's a great way to support local artisans while also building your collection."
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3. Illuminate Your Space
All designers agree that lighting is important, but that doesn't mean you've got to deck the halls with bulbs. Lighting should be placed thoughtfully, with consideration for tone and brightness.
Jones Ghajar prefers accent lighting, saying it's an ideal way to create a softer tone in most rooms. "Turn those can lights off!" she says. "While they're handy in task-oriented situations, you don't need them for most daily activities."
Julia Miller, creative director at Yond Interiors, agrees that bringing in standalone options can improve a vignette's visual interest. "We're huge fans of layered lighting," she says. "We love a statement floor lamp as an opportunity to create a sense of height and sculpture in a space."
4. Always Add Art
You don't have to be a blue-chip collector to have excellent taste in art. If you find something you love – at a local gallery, flea market, or craft fair – then it's definitely worth displaying. Paintings, sculpture, and photography highlight your interests and add depth to your walls.
Plus, according to Jenkins, art doesn't have to cost a bundle. "It's essential to interiors," she notes, "but not everyone has the budget for large, original art." She recommends scouring antique stores and online auctions. "Another great resource can be college art school sales. Buying from artists early in their careers not only supports them; you can also find fairly reasonable pricing."
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5. Set It in Stone
Recently, bold marble has been all over social media. For years, white and gray stones dominated, but, as of late, slabs with intense veining and purple, green, and red hues are popping up more and more.
If you're not sold on diving headfirst into a new sink or countertops, Miller finds that smaller, non-permanent pieces are a safe bet for testing the waters. "Natural stone side tables are a great way to add interest to a space," she says. "You can find stone on Etsy in materials like Calacatta viola and travertine."
6. Play With Pillows and Fabrics
All three industry experts agree that adding throw pillows (on a sofa, in a bed, or to your chairs) is one of the simplest ways to take your decor up a notch. Jenkins recommends a colorful sofa to bring contrast into a living room, but, "if you aren't ready to commit to the sofa, add pillows and a fun throw."
Jones Ghajar seconds the notion. "Decorative pillows are a quick and fun way to add personality and pop to a space," she says. "Rather than buying multiple of the same style, try mixing up textures and patterns to create a layered and more dynamic aesthetic."
For Miller, it's all about the shape. "We love integrating round or circular decorative pillows in our projects, as opposed to just the usual squares or lumbar pillows," she says. "Adding in new and fresh shapes keeps spaces feeling special and interesting."
7. Don't Skimp on Hardware
When it comes to kitchens and bathrooms, it doesn't take a full-scale renovation to refresh things. A simple swap of cabinet handles and drawer pulls is a low-barrier option to add a touch of luxury to the space.
"While subtle, when you choose high-quality cabinet hardware, the visuals are enhanced as well as end experience," says Jones Ghajar. "Ideally, source solid brass or bronze in an unlacquered finish that will patina over time."
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- Interior designer Laura Jenkins advises adding a colorful sofa, such as deep blues, maroons, or patterned ones, to liven up a room.
- Caitlin Jones Ghajar, another designer, suggests grouping multiple items together on a tray to create a cohesive look and make a house feel like a home.
- All designers agree that lighting is important, with Julia Miller of Yond Interiors preferring accent lighting for a softer tone in most rooms.
- Jenkins recommends scouring antique stores, online auctions, or college art school sales for affordable yet excellent art pieces.
- Julia Miller finds that smaller, non-permanent pieces of natural stone, such as side tables, are a safe bet for testing the waters with bold marble trends.
- Decorative pillows are a quick and fun way to add personality and pop to a space, as suggested by both Jenkins and Caitlin Jones Ghajar.
- According to Jones Ghajar, high-quality cabinet hardware can enhance visuals and end experiences in kitchens and bathrooms, particularly in an unlacquered brass or bronze finish.
