Turning a house into a home isn’t just about tossing in furniture and calling it a day. It’s about picking pieces that actually make you feel good every time you walk into the room.
As someone who loves nesting and making spaces feel special, I’ve always been curious about what interior designers swear by.
So I dug in and found the go-to items they say can truly elevate a space, from practical must-haves to a few fun surprises you might not expect. If you’re ready to ditch the blah and bring in some wow, you’re in the right place.
1. Quality Area Rug
Nothing anchors a room quite like a well-chosen area rug. The right one doesn’t just protect your floors—it ties everything together like magic.
When shopping, look for natural fibers like wool that’ll stand up to years of foot traffic while still looking fabulous. In high-traffic zones, darker patterns hide sins, while lighter ones expand small spaces.
2. Statement Lighting Fixture
Light fixtures aren’t just functional, they’re jewelry for your ceiling! A stunning chandelier or pendant creates an instant focal point that guests notice the moment they walk in.
Many designers recommend spending a little extra here because good lighting transforms the mood of any space. Even when switched off, a beautiful fixture continues to serve as sculptural art above your head.
3. Oversized Art Piece
Blank walls scream for attention, and one large art piece answers that call better than a gallery of tiny frames. Designers love how a single oversized piece creates immediate impact without cluttering visual space.
If original art isn’t in your budget, framed vintage posters or large-scale photographs work wonders too. The key is choosing something that speaks to you personally—art should make your heart happy every time you see it!
4. Cozy Throw Blankets
When temperatures drop, nothing beats curling up under a sumptuous throw. Beyond warmth, these textile treasures add texture, color, and that indefinable quality designers call “layers.”
Cotton throws work for warmer climates, while wool and cashmere offer serious snuggle power in chillier regions.
Drape them casually over sofa arms or fold them neatly at the foot of beds, either way, they instantly make a room feel lived-in and welcoming.
5. Live Plants
Plants breathe life into static spaces, literally! Even notorious plant-killers can find options that thrive with minimal care, like snake plants or ZZ plants.
Try clustering different heights and leaf shapes for visual interest. For small spaces, hanging planters free up valuable surface area while drawing the eye upward.
The natural green provides a refreshing contrast to manufactured items and improves air quality as a bonus!
6. Quality Window Treatments
Windows without proper dressing feel unfinished, like an outfit missing shoes. Good curtains or blinds control light, provide privacy, and add crucial softness to rooms dominated by hard surfaces.
Hanging curtains higher and wider than the actual window frame makes rooms feel larger and ceilings taller.
Though custom options deliver perfect fit, many designers now recommend ready-made panels in natural fabrics like linen or cotton for budget-friendly alternatives with designer appeal.
7. Multipurpose Ottoman
Sometimes the most valuable furniture serves multiple functions. A handsome ottoman works overtime as a coffee table, extra seating, footrest, and, with the right design, hidden storage.
Look for sturdy construction and stain-resistant fabric if you’ll use it as a casual dining surface. Round ottomans soften rooms full of rectangular furniture, while square ones maximize space efficiency.
This versatile piece adapts to changing needs while adding a touch of upholstered comfort.
8. Full-Length Mirror
Mirrors perform practical magic in interior spaces, they check outfits while visually doubling room size and amplifying natural light. Full-length versions offer the most versatility and impact.
Leaning a large mirror against a wall creates casual elegance that feels modern yet timeless. In tight quarters, mirrored closet doors make spaces feel twice as big.
Smart placement opposite windows captures and reflects daylight, reducing the need for artificial lighting during daytime hours.
9. Table Lamps With Dimmers
Overhead lighting rarely flatters anyone, which is why designers layer lighting with table lamps in nearly every room. The soft, ambient glow creates intimate atmospheres that overhead fixtures simply can’t match.
Adding dimmer switches takes functionality to another level, allowing adjustment from bright task lighting to gentle evening ambiance.
Place lamps at different heights throughout rooms for balanced illumination. For bedside tables, choose adjustable options that direct light precisely where needed.
10. Comfortable Reading Chair
Every home deserves at least one chair so comfortable you’ll remember it fondly years later. This isn’t just furniture, it’s your personal retreat spot for books, conversations, or quiet contemplation.
While style matters, comfort reigns supreme here. Test before buying whenever possible, looking for proper back support and arm height.
Pairing it with a small side table and good lamp creates a complete relaxation station. Your future self will thank you for investing in this everyday luxury!
11. Quality Bed Linens
We spend roughly a third of our lives in bed, shouldn’t those hours feel luxurious? High-quality sheets transform sleep from necessary downtime into a genuine pleasure.
Cotton with long staple fibers (like Egyptian or Pima) offers the best combination of softness and durability. Thread count matters less than fiber quality and weave.
White linens remain designers’ favorite for their clean, hotel-like appeal, but don’t be afraid of subtle patterns that hide minor stains between washings.
12. Versatile Serving Trays
Humble trays rank among designers’ most versatile styling tools. They instantly organize scattered items into intentional arrangements while making everyday objects look curated rather than cluttered.
Use them to corral remotes on coffee tables, perfume bottles on dressers, or cooking oils near stoves. When guests arrive, they transform into portable serving platforms.
Materials range from warm woods to sleek lacquers to woven rattan, each adding different textural elements to your décor.
13. Wall Shelving System
Vertical space remains tragically underused in most homes. Wall shelving solves storage problems while creating display opportunities for treasured objects.
Floating shelves offer clean, contemporary lines. For flexibility, consider adjustable track systems that can be reconfigured as needs change.
Beyond books, use shelves to showcase art objects, plants, and family photos. The key to stylish shelving lies in leaving breathing room, resist the urge to pack every inch with items.
14. Scented Candles
Scent creates powerful emotional connections to spaces, which explains why designers almost always include candles in their projects. Beyond fragrance, the flickering light adds movement and warmth no electric fixture can duplicate.
Invest in natural wax options with cotton wicks for cleaner burning. Choosing scents seasonally keeps homes feeling fresh year-round.
When unlit, grouping candles of varying heights creates beautiful tablescapes that look intentional and designer-approved.
15. Decorative Baskets
Storage that looks good enough to display openly solves the eternal problem of where to put life’s necessities. Baskets excel at this dual function, they hide everyday clutter while adding natural texture to rooms.
Large floor baskets corral toys, throws, or magazines. Medium ones slide onto bookshelves for organizing smaller items.
Hang collections of flat baskets as wall art in dining areas or entryways. The woven materials bring organic warmth that balances harder surfaces like glass and metal.
16. Vintage Bookends
Books stacked horizontally create instant height variation on shelves, but vertical arrangements need proper support. Vintage bookends add personality while performing this practical function.
Hunt for unique pairs in antique shops or online marketplaces, brass animals, geodes, or carved wood versions all bring character.
Unlike mass-produced modern options, vintage pieces tell stories through their patina and craftsmanship. This small detail signals thoughtful curation rather than rushed decorating.
17. Artisan Soap Dispensers
Plastic soap bottles with product labels create instant visual clutter in bathrooms and kitchens. Transferring everyday soaps into beautiful dispensers elevates these utilitarian spaces immediately.
Ceramic, amber glass, or brushed metal options coordinate with existing fixtures while hiding garish product packaging. Some designers keep a collection to rotate seasonally, just like throw pillows.
This minor upgrade costs relatively little but creates that elusive “finished” feeling in spaces guests frequently use.
18. Hidden Outlet Extenders
Modern homes never seem to have enough outlets in the right places. Rather than stretching unsightly extension cords across rooms, designers use clever outlet extenders hidden behind furniture.
Flat versions slide behind sofas and beds without creating gaps, while others mount discreetly under desks or tables. Some even include USB ports for device charging.
This practical solution maintains clean aesthetics while accommodating our device-heavy lifestyles, function and form working harmoniously together.
19. Furniture Risers
Sometimes perfect furniture sits at imperfect heights. Clever designers use discreet risers to adjust pieces for better proportion and function without expensive custom orders.
Wood or metal options blend seamlessly with furniture legs while adding 2-4 inches of height. This small adjustment makes dining more comfortable, improves sofa proportions, or creates under-bed storage space.
For antiques or inherited pieces that can’t be replaced but aren’t quite right, risers offer an elegant problem-solving approach.
20. Magnetic Spice Containers
Kitchen counter clutter disappears when commonly used items move to vertical surfaces. Magnetic spice containers transform bare refrigerator sides or metal backsplashes into functional storage that looks intentionally designed.
Uniform containers with clear labels create visual cohesion even with varied contents inside. Some homeowners arrange them by color for rainbow effect, while others group by cuisine type.
This system keeps frequently used seasonings within easy reach while freeing valuable drawer and cabinet space.