## 1. Bring Life Indoors
If there’s one thing that all high-end interiors have in common, it’s that they pay attention to the details—one of which being the plants and flowers added to the space. Bringing the outdoors in not only makes a home feel complete, but also makes it feel curated and welcoming. But don’t worry, this doesn’t mean you have to shell out the cash for expensive greenery. The same effect can be achieved by simply collecting some interesting branches from the outdoors, planting your own seedlings in a pot, or drying found greenery and flowers.
## 2. Rethink Your Furniture Arrangement
When tasked with updating our space, often the first thought that comes to mind is the need to buy new furniture. But trust us when we say that simply swapping pieces from room to room can make a staggering difference. (And yes, that includes artwork!) For instance, try placing that side table that has been next to your bed for ages in your living room next to a lounge chair. Or move a chair that was once in your office to your entryway under a chic sconce. The options are endless, but you get the idea… what was once old and stale can immediately feel new and expensive again, just by giving it a fresh backdrop in a different room.
## 3. Repaint Your Front Door
If you’ve ever painted any part of your home, chances are you have some leftover paint lying around somewhere. Instead of letting it go to waste, consider using it to give new life to your front door (or even interior doors if you have enough!). Whether you opt for a bold neutral like dark grey or black, or go for a pop of color, a fresh coat of paint on the front door will elevate the exterior of your home in a cinch.
## 4. Ditch Anything That Doesn’t Add Value to Your Design
Clutter can easily build up in the home and cheapen the look of your space. Clearing out unnecessary items and décor that you’re no longer in love with will give you a clean slate to work with, and give the pieces you really love room to breathe. Remember, when it comes to creating a truly elevated space, it’s about quality, not quantity. A good rule of thumb? If it isn’t functional, doesn’t make you excited when you see it, or isn’t something you’re truly in love with, toss it.
## 5. Focus on One Corner at a Time
When faced with an entire room, decorating down to the details can seem overwhelming. Instead, focus on vignettes throughout the space—a bar cart along the wall, your entryway, a lounge chair in the corner—and carefully style each vignette individually. This way you won’t overlook the most important details throughout your space, and everywhere you look will feel as if it was intentionally designed.
## 6. Pay Mind to Your Lighting
Misplaced lighting in the home can take any decent design from stunning to dreary. (After all, what good is a carefully decorated home without proper lighting to view it?) When decorating each vignette in your home, consider how the lighting around it flatters the décor, and make adjustments where needed. Perhaps that killer piece of artwork you have needs to be moved from a dark wall in the corner to a spot on the wall under a sconce, or next to a table lamp. Or maybe an area rug needs to be adjusted to fall more naturally under a ceiling pendant light. The lighting in a space is just as important as the décor that surrounds it, so take the time to experiment until it is just right.
## 7. Throw a Throw Over Your Seating
It may seem too simple to actually work, but believe it or not, a cozy throw casually thrown over the end of a sofa or back of a chair can do wonders to make a space feel more luxurious and expensive. If you want bonus points in this category, try a faux fur throw you already have on hand (or even a budget-friendly option from Target), a thick woven design, or a globally-inspired textile.
## 8. Paint Your Trim the Same Color as Your Walls
Contrasting trim in the right setting can certainly feel luxurious, but it is also at-risk of looking dated if not done carefully. To take your space up a notch, try using some leftover paint from your walls to paint your trim the same color. (We especially love how Gray employed this look on his own bedroom fireplace.) The monochromatic vibe will make any space feel more modern and daring, as well as lend a clean backdrop for any artwork on your walls.
Which one of these tips would you try in your own home?
Give them a go and we promise you won’t be disappointed. For more décor tips, tricks, and inspo, don’t miss our interiors page on the blog…
Happy decorating,
Xx Team GM
Photos: (Header) Lindye Galloway Interiors, 1. Minimal Major, 2. Lauren Pressey for Kate Lester, 3.-4. GrayMalin.com, 5. Décor Aid, 6.-7. Lauren Pressey for Kate Lester, 8. GrayMalin.com