Let's talk about home design, shall we? Not the kind you see on those renovation shows where they casually mention dropping $80K on a kitchen remodel as if they're discussing the weather. I'm talking about real-life, "I have a regular person budget and possibly questionable DIY skills" home design that still makes you feel like you have your life together when you walk through your front door.
Start With a Pinterest Board (Then Immediately Lower Your Expectations)
We all do it—create those dreamy Pinterest boards filled with herringbone floors, custom built-ins, and light fixtures that cost more than your first car. Go ahead and indulge! Pin those dreamy spaces! Then take a deep breath and remember that the people in those photos probably don't have pets who shed or children who believe walls are just vertical canvases for their artistic expression.
The trick is to identify the *feeling* those images give you, not the exact pieces. Maybe what you love isn't actually that $9,000 sectional, but the cozy, layered vibe of the room. That we can work with.
The Great Furniture Shuffle (Free and Surprisingly Effective)
Before you buy a single thing, try this radical concept: rearrange what you already own. I'm continually amazed at how moving furniture around can make me feel like I've gotten a whole new space without spending a dime. Plus, you'll find all those missing socks and approximately $8.43 in change. Win-win!
Some quick guidelines:
- *Pull furniture away from walls when possible
- (even just 4-6 inches creates depth)
- *Create conversation areas where people can actually, you know, converse
- *Consider traffic flow
- (if you need parkour skills to get from the sofa to the kitchen, rethink it)
- *Break up sets! That matching sofa and loveseat from 2007?
- Separate them and see how it feels
I recently moved my desk to face the window instead of the wall, and suddenly I went from feeling like I was doing time in a prison cell to being a sophisticated writer with views. The view is actually just my neighbor's vinyl siding, but my brain doesn't care—it's happier now.
The Power of Paint (For When You Need Actual Change)
If rearranging doesn't scratch the itch, paint is your next best friend. It's relatively cheap, high impact, and if you mess it up, you can just... paint over it again. Revolutionary!
But here's what they don't tell you in those peppy DIY tutorials: painting is a commitment. It's the "let's move in together" phase of home improvement—exciting at first, then suddenly you're both covered in primer at 11 PM wondering where things went wrong.
My hot tips:
- *Test actual paint samples on your walls, not those little cards (light does weird things)
- *Buy the good painter's tape—this is not where you want to economize
- *Invest in decent brushes and rollers (I bet you can’t find the ones you have “in the garage somewhere”)
- *If it takes a few days you can leave wet paint brushes in a zip lock in the fridge instead of washing after each use (you’re welcome!)
- *Only start a painting project if you can finish it—living with half a yellow kitchen for three months will break your spirit
Remember that paint isn't just for walls! I once painted an ugly brown bookshelf a glossy navy blue, and now people ask where I bought my "statement piece." The statement is "I'm too cheap for new furniture," but they don't need to know that.
Textiles: The Afraid-of-Commitment Dream Decor
Not ready for paint? Textiles are the low-commitment way to transform a space. New throw pillows, a rug, or curtains can change the entire feel of a room without requiring you to watch YouTube tutorials on how to use a paint roller without getting streaks.
Pro tip: Layer textures like you're building a sophisticated outfit. Linen, cotton, wool, velvet—mixing textures adds depth that even design-challenged people can achieve. I once added a chunky knit throw to a sleek leather sofa, and suddenly my living room went from "bachelor pad leftover" to "intentionally eclectic."
And for the love of all things holy, hang your curtains high and wide! Nothing makes your ceilings look lower than curtains hung directly on the window frame. Go at least 6 inches out from the window on each side and as close to the ceiling as you can get! It's the interior design equivalent of a good pushup bra—everything just looks... lifted.
The Art of Display (How to Make Your Random Stuff Look Curated)
We all have stuff. Some of it's pretty, some of it's meaningful, and some of it's just... there. The secret to making your home look intentional is all in how you display these items.
The rule of three is your new best friend. Items grouped in odd numbers (especially threes) look purposeful rather than random. Vary heights and textures, but keep something consistent—maybe the color palette or the general theme.
Bookshelves are not just for books! Think of them as your personal museum. The formula is simple:
- 60% books (some vertical, some horizontal)
- 30% decorative objects (that weird souvenir can go here)
- 10% negative space (yes, leave some empty space!)
I recently "curated" my bookshelf using this method and now it looks like it belongs to someone who has their life together, not someone who once ate cereal with a fork because all the spoons were dirty.
Plants: Even the Fake Ones Help (I Said What I Said)
Nothing breathes life into a space like literally bringing life into it. Plants are transformative in home design. They add color, texture, and they clean your air (or so I've been told by people trying to justify their plant addiction).
But listen—if you're a plant murderer, it's okay. There are some surprisingly realistic faux plants out there now that don't scream "I bought this at a gas station in 1992." Place them in pretty ceramic pots and nobody needs to know your shameful secret.
For the truly commitment-phobic, try a weekly bouquet of fresh flowers in a consistent spot. It's amazing how that small splash of color and life can become the highlight of your space. I put daffodils in my dining room every spring and suddenly my ancient table seems charming rather than tragic.
The Finishing Touch: Mood Lighting (The Ultimate Home Glow-Up)
Here it is—the single most transformative thing you can do for your space with minimal effort: lighting. Specifically, layered lighting that doesn't involve the builder-grade overhead fixture that makes everyone look like they're being interrogated.
The fastest way to transform any space from "stark rental property" to "cozy haven I never want to leave" is to turn off the overhead lights and add strategic lamps at various heights. Table lamps, floor lamps, picture lights—mix it up for the full effect.
But the absolute easiest upgrade? Candles. And not just any candles—ones that not only look gorgeous but smell amazing and actually have a purpose beyond making your space look good.
This is where Havilah & Co. candles come in clutch for home design geniuses (which you now are, obviously). Their custom corrugated glass vessels add this gorgeous texture and subtle glow that makes even takeout on the couch feel like a romantic bistro experience. They're basically interior design in a jar.
I keep Sea Salt & Santal in my living room because that crisp, clean scent with notes of sandalwood creates this "yes, I definitely remembered to clean before you came over" vibe, even when I absolutely did not. The Desert Bloom & Saffron is my secret weapon for making the bedroom feel like a boutique hotel—warm, mysterious, and sophisticated enough to disguise the laundry chair we all pretend doesn't exist.
The best part about using Havilah candles as decor? When you're done with them, those beautiful vessels can be cleaned out and repurposed as the perfect pen holder, makeup brush container, or tiny plant pot. (See? We've come full circle to plants again!)
And knowing that 50% of their profits help entrepreneurs around the world makes my design choices feel like they're doing double duty—making my space prettier AND making the world better. That’s the kind of multitasking I can get behind!
