I’ve definitely had moments where I looked around my living room and thought, Why doesn’t this look like the spaces on HGTV? Turns out, those jaw-dropping reveals aren’t just about big budgets or fancy designers.
With a few smart changes, I was able to totally elevate my space, and you can too. You don’t need a total overhaul to get that magazine-worthy glow. Just some intentional tweaks that make a huge impact.
If you’re craving that ‘wow’ factor without the price tag, I’ve got the tricks that worked for me, and they might just change the way you see your space.
1. Layer Your Lighting
Forget that sad ceiling fixture! Proper lighting works like magic. Start with ambient lighting for overall brightness, then add task lighting for reading nooks, and accent lighting to highlight art or architecture.
Floor lamps, table lamps, and wall sconces create layers that pros swear by. Bonus points for installing dimmer switches! When evening hits, you’ll have a cozy glow that makes everyone look fantastic.
2. Hang Curtains High And Wide
Your windows might be average, but your curtains can lie for you! Mount curtain rods close to the ceiling and extend them 8-12 inches beyond the window frame on each side.
When you hang curtains this way, windows appear larger and ceilings higher. Choose fabric that puddles slightly on the floor for extra luxury points. This tiny change fools everyone into thinking your architecture is grander than it is!
3. Incorporate Large-Scale Art
Tiny frames scattered around scream ‘amateur hour.’ Instead, go big with statement art that anchors your space. One large piece creates focus and tells visitors you’re confident in your style choices.
Can’t afford original art? Large engineering prints or vintage posters work beautifully. The secret is proper scale – your art should fill about two-thirds of the wall space above furniture for that designer-approved look.
4. Mix Up Your Throw Pillows
The matching pillow sets that came with your couch? Chuck ’em! HGTV designers create pillow stories using different sizes, textures, and patterns that somehow work together perfectly.
Try this formula: start with a pair of large solid pillows (24″), add two patterned pillows (20″), then one funky accent pillow front and center. Mix textures like velvet, linen, and knits for that ‘collected over time’ richness.
5. Paint An Accent Wall
Nothing says ‘I know what I’m doing’ like a bold accent wall. Pick a color that makes your heart sing – maybe that navy blue you’ve been eyeing or a forest green that brings the outdoors in.
The trick? Paint just one wall, not the whole room. This creates depth without overwhelming the space. Your furniture will suddenly look intentional rather than randomly placed.
6. Add A Statement Rug
Your floor needs love too! A proper rug anchors furniture and defines your living space, especially in open floor plans. Size matters here – too small and it looks like a postage stamp floating in the ocean.
The rule? All furniture should either sit completely on the rug or have front legs on it. Bold patterns hide stains better than solids, and natural fibers like wool and jute age beautifully over time.
7. Create Conversation Areas
Pushing all furniture against walls creates that dreaded ‘waiting room’ vibe. Pull pieces away to form intimate conversation zones where people can actually talk without shouting.
Chairs should face each other at comfortable distances (about 8 feet apart max). Even in small spaces, floating furniture away from walls creates breathing room and flow. This simple rearrangement immediately signals ‘professional touch.’
8. Hide Your TV
Let’s be real – most of us watch TV, but HGTV ‘afters’ rarely showcase giant black screens. Consider a gallery wall surrounding your television or a frame TV that displays art when not in use.
Another trick? Paint the wall behind it dark to help it disappear. If possible, tuck components into built-ins or cabinets. Remember, your living room should say ‘sophisticated adult lives here,’ not ‘I worship at the altar of Netflix.’
9. Incorporate Natural Elements
Every drool-worthy HGTV reveal includes something living or natural. Plants add oxygen, color, and that crucial organic element that makes spaces feel alive rather than staged.
No green thumb? Try hard-to-lose varieties like snake plants or pothos. Wood, stone, and woven baskets bring natural texture too. The contrast between sleek manufactured items and organic elements creates that perfect tension designers love.
10. Clear The Clutter
No HGTV ‘after’ ever shows piles of mail or random phone chargers! Ruthlessly edit your space, keeping only items that serve a purpose or bring genuine joy.
Create hidden storage solutions for necessary but ugly items. The goal isn’t minimalism (unless that’s your style), but intentionality. Every object should look chosen, not accumulated. This zero-cost change dramatically transforms how your room feels.
11. Play With Texture
Flat, one-note rooms bore the eye. Professional designers layer textures to create visual interest even within neutral color schemes.
Mix smooth (glass, metal), rough (jute, concrete), and soft (velvet, knits) elements. A leather sofa paired with a chunky knit throw and smooth ceramic lamps creates delicious contrast. When everything feels too similar, rooms fall flat no matter how expensive the pieces.
12. Style Your Coffee Table
That empty or cluttered coffee table screams ‘help me!’ Create a magazine-worthy vignette with the rule of three: something tall (candlesticks), something organic (plants/flowers), and something personal (books, sculpture).
Trays corral smaller items and make random objects look curated. Coffee table books showcase your interests while adding color and height. Switch elements seasonally to keep your space feeling fresh and intentional.
13. Upgrade Cabinet Hardware
Think of hardware as jewelry for your furniture! Swapping out basic pulls for statement pieces instantly elevates built-ins, media centers, or storage cabinets.
Brass, leather, or uniquely shaped handles add personality to boring pieces. This five-minute upgrade costs little but pays huge visual dividends. Pro tip: bring your old hardware to the store to ensure new pieces fit existing holes.
14. Create Symmetry
Our brains love balance! Create mirror-image arrangements on either side of focal points like fireplaces or sofas. Matching lamps, similar-sized art pieces, or twin chairs signal intentional design.
Perfect symmetry feels formal and traditional. For a more relaxed vibe, try ‘balanced asymmetry’ where items have similar visual weight but aren’t identical. Either approach instantly makes spaces feel thoughtfully arranged rather than randomly assembled.
15. Introduce A Splash Of Black
Every designer’s secret weapon? A touch of black! Without at least one dark element, rooms lack depth and appear flat. Black picture frames, lamp bases, or decorative objects provide necessary ‘punctuation’ in your design.
Think of black as the period at the end of your decorating sentence. It creates contrast and helps other colors pop. Even the brightest, whitest rooms need this grounding element to avoid looking washed out.
16. Float Shelves For Display
Floating shelves offer prime real estate for personality-showcasing moments. Unlike closed storage, they invite curated displays of books, art, and treasures that tell your story.
The key is restraint – leave breathing room between objects. Group items in odd numbers and vary heights. Books stacked both vertically and horizontally create levels for smaller objects. Regularly refresh displays to prevent the dreaded ‘dusty museum’ effect.
17. Invest In A Statement Piece
Every unforgettable room has something that makes guests go ‘wow!’ Whether it’s an unexpected light fixture, bold furniture piece, or oversized mirror, statement items create focal points that elevate everything around them.
Save up for one amazing piece rather than several mediocre ones. The right statement item becomes your room’s personality anchor. Everything else can be budget-friendly once you have that star player carrying the design load.