These are the simple, yet important, decor basics to know when setting up your home.
As an interior designer, I aspire for everyone to have a beautiful space to call their own. Here are some simple ways to get the high-end designer look without breaking the bank.
1. Get the Right Size Rug. If you don’t already have a rug in your living room, go run and buy one! Having a rug completely transforms a space with minimal effort and expense. When buying a rug, make sure you choose one that is the right size. One of the most common mistakes I see is a rug that is too small for the space. Ideally, all the furniture should be on the rug or at least the front legs of all the furniture should be on the rug. I usually end up going with either 8×10 or 9×12 rugs. There are lots of great rug deals out there. I personally have this one and it’s held up great and doesn’t show dirt.
2. Don’t Do Matching. When buying new furniture, avoid the impulse to buy matching sets of everything (dining room sets, bedroom sets, etc.) A well-designed space will generally have furniture that is pulled together from different sources. Sets look too matchy-matchy and generally make your home appear cheap-looking.
3. Reduce Clutter. Beautiful spaces and organized spaces go hand in hand. You can have the most stunning home but if it is always covered in stuff, it’s hard to see the beauty. I find that the best way to cut clutter is to spend some time organizing and making sure everything has a place. Throw out things you haven’t used in a while that are taking up valuable visual and physical space.
4. Ditch Builder-Grade Light Fixtures. Never underestimate what a new light fixture can do for a space. This is so important in terms of function and beauty. Having a dark room looks bad and also makes it hard to see. Your new fixtures don’t need to be expensive to get the job done. Even Ikea and Home Depot have great options.
5. Put Stuff on the Walls. Blank walls are a major pet peeve of mine. There are so many low-cost options that can give your space that wow factor. Think mirrors, family photos, gallery walls, and clocks. A low-cost way to print large photos/art is to print them on vinyl signs (the website I use is bestofsigns.com) and hang them with wooden photo hangers such as these wooden poster hangers. Here’s a wall clock that I absolutely adore.
6. Minimize Furniture. This is another design mistake I see all the time. Do you really need that armoire, dresser, and chest to store your socks? Sometimes, less is more and a well-designed, expensive-looking room will generally have less furniture.
7. Upgrade Your Hardware. This is a great way to upgrade your home without breaking the bank. Updating your cabinet hardware in your kitchen or on furniture can make a huge statement. Also, updating doorknobs can make a monumental change in your home’s aesthetic. Here, cylindrical knobs and modern pulls, are a couple of great options.
8. Hang Floor to Ceiling Curtains. Curtains are my absolute favorite when it comes to window treatments. To make them look even more amazing, hang them at ceiling height. This makes your ceilings look dramatically higher and takes a room from great to absolutely jaw-dropping. To get the look for an 8 foot ceiling, get 96” curtains.
Have any more low-cost yet high-impact ideas? Let us know in the comments below.
Missing links for organization products?
Hi I emailed you the links 🙂
Thanks these are all great tips. Ahuva, what do you recommend in a dining/living room for sheer curtains if you have a crown molding
Hi Dinah! Thank you so much 🙂 If you have moldings, I would recommend hanging the rod right underneath.
Love these tips!! Would you recommend any curtains online?
Thank you Rachel! Here are the curtains I have hanging in my office right now. I am very happy with them, however, they are more light filtering than blackout.
about the curtains, how do you clean these? And do they go with all window sizes? What type of curtains would you put with them for privacy? I assume everyone can see in ?
I emailed you 🙂
I can curious about this as well. I would love an elegant curtain for my living room, but still some privacy.
Hi Sara! Emailed you
Would love link for curtains please
Hi Ahuva, I’m looking for the same. Would you be able to send me the link too please?
Can you show a concept of the banner idea for a family photo? The banners that I see on the link provided are very commercial/business looking, but I would love an inexpensive yet cool concept to hang a large panoramic family photo on my entrance hallway wall.
Sure! Shoot me an email at interiorsbyahuva@gmail.com and I’ll send you a picture of how I did it in my front entryway
Can you send me a link to a more basic ivory sheer/soft/light filtering curtain for my dining room?
Sure! Here’s 2 options:
MIULEE Panels and H.VERSAILTEX Panels.
Thanks a million. I appreciate it.
Thank you for providing links! Is there a difference between the two curtains?
MW
Not much, they are definitely similar 🙂 They’re made from different fabrics and look slightly different. Just a matter of personal preference.
I meant this one. How do you clean these? Are these private, can ppl see in? Would this go on its own, or need something else to go in addition to something else?
Just emailed you back Rochel 🙂
Hi Ahuva! I love this article! Thanks so much for all these awesome tips! Might you consider posting some links to light fixtures?
Hi Pen, just emailed you 🙂
Hi, I just came across this article now- would you be able ot send me some links as well? This article is so helpful 🙂
Hi Shein! Thank you so much! I sent you an email!
Same here please
Emailed you!
wow love it! such inspiration, cant wait to put these ideas into effect into my own home!
Thanks so much!
Awesome tips!! Do you do in home consultations? How do I set up an appointment?
Shaindy
Thank you Shaindy! Yes, I do consultations. I emailed you the info.
Thanks for the tips
Thanks for these tips! you are actually amazing! truly an insparation
thanks!
Wow, great list! Thanks Ahuva. Love the rug and the price- is there any similar design in the same price range? Thanks!!
Hi Ruchie! Thank you 🙂 I emailed you
Great helpful article!! Love all the tips! I gotta do the high up curtains!
Thank you Sarah!
Any ideas of where I can get such curtains online for an affordable price?
Hi Debby. there are some links to curtains in the comments above.
Could I put curtains on top of zebra blinds?
Sure, why not? I emailed you some sample photos.
Can you email me as well
Just did 🙂
Can you please email pictures of curtains on top of zebra shades tx
JUst reading this thread and love the sheer curtain idea. I have zeebra shades (which is not working properly either way) would you be able to send me pix as well of curtains on top of zebra shades.
Thanks!!!
Love the tips! Thanks for sharing! Looking forward to more of your posts!
Thank you!
Great ideas! Can you give some ideas for how to make old style built-in
dinette shelves look decent? I want to use it for miscellaneous items as well…
Can you email me a picture?
@interiorsbyahuva, your designs are beautiful and refreshing! Thank you for sharing your tips! Am looking forward to future articles.
Thank you RB.
I love your ideas! Looking forward to seeing some more posts from you! My apartment opens to a large hallway that runs right to left and I’ve been struggling with how to decorate it without overdoing it so my entryway looks nice but not too busy. What do you recommend in general for entryways?
Hi Devorah! Thank you! I generally do a big mirror with either a bench or a console table. Good luck!
Awesome post and thanks so much for giving us so much more in the comments!!! Keep these types of posts coming!
Thank you BetweenCarpools!
Thank you Rachel!
Hi, Where can i get good quality well priced roller shades? thank-you!
Hi Goldie! Just emailed you some links.
Hi would you mind sending me a link to for roller shades
Thanks so much
Sure! Just did 🙂
Hi,
If you see this comment, can you please send me the links to roller shades?
Thanks.
Hi!
This post and comments are amazing!! I just want all the links lol!! Would love some specifically for the good quality roller shades and some light fixtures.
Thanks!!
Thank you so much Gitty! Just sent you a master list of links 🙂 Hope it helps!
Hi Ahuva, can you pls email me the master list of links as well. I am also interested in seeing the picture of your entry hallway. Loved this article and hope you do more!
Thank you so much! I emailed you 🙂
Hi can you pls send me links for the roller shades-
Sure, just did 🙂
Can you send it to me as well? I have a window that is placed too low down (bec it has a semi circle window on top) and I am having a hard time finding a shade that work.
Thank you!!
Of course 🙂
thank you for the great tips! could you send me the links for the rug please?
Sure! I emailed you the links and I’ll also paste them here.
overstock.com, amazon, and amazon.
Hi was wondering what coloring rug you would recommend for a living room that has a blue velvet couch. No other color in the room.
Hi Chaya, I love blue and gray together so would definitely recommend a rug that is mostly gray, could have blue in it as well.
hi can you send attach a link for pinch pleat shears? (as pictured?)
It’s actually a stock photo 🙂 but i sent you some links
Hi can you please send me links for sheers as well? Thank you
Sure! Just did.
Hi. Can you please send me links as well. Thanks so much
I ordered two navy blue velvet couches and I’m trying to coordinate a rug. My dining room (that is adjoining) has brown wood chairs with upholstery that has a pattern that has champagne and gold. Would that impact the color of the rug I get?
Hi Tova! It’s hard to say without seeing the space but generally, if you have a dining/living room, you should try to coordinate the furniture. I would say try to get a rug with navy and champagne to pull the room together, I sent you a link.
THank you so much for this info!! Really great!! Can I ask you to send me the pics of the picture/poster idea you had? And Im looking for a light fixture for my front hallway with the rooms right next to it having the colors black, white, and gold, and the other room dark blue, brown, tan.. can you send some ideas? If possible. Thank you so much!
Thanks Rivka! Jut emailed you!
Can I get that pic too? I would also love the master list of links! So glad I can across this oldie but goodie!!
Hi Bracha! sent 🙂
Hi Ahuva, thanks so much for this amazing post! Here I am a year later and wondering if I can get the master list too! Tysm!
Have a nice day, an interesting idea from the table, but it would not hurt you to refresh the ceilings in this room to make the room brighter, if you are looking for something new for your interior lighting, I advise you to consider Open Ceilings .
Hi,
I just moved and i am so excited that I found this post.
I want to put these curtains that you have pictured, in my dining room/living room.
where can I get them?
Thank You
Hi Chani! I emailed you some links.
Hi, Can any recommendations on how to make a dream playroom?
Hi! I definitely hope to do a post on this in the future!
Thanks for all tips! can you also sent me detailed links of all the above mentioned for curtains with privacy for dining room.
emailed you 🙂
Hi Ahuva
I love this article I keep going back to it for all your great links and ideas. Can you email me your master list of links as well as information regarding in home consultations? Thank you!!
Hi Rochel! Emailed you 🙂
Hi, can you send me a list of the curtains and good roller shades/zebra shades? Also a horizontal mirror for a dining room (above couch)? ANd what about a console table/bench for entry way? I have a calcutta floor?
hi, can you send me link for pinch pleated sheers as well as roller shades?
thanks!
HI Rivky! I emailed you
Hi,
I love that rug. Would it go with taupe couches?
HI Rochel,
I emailed you 🙂
Hi, If my couch goes almost all the way until the end of my living room, is it proper to put a rug underneath? In order for the front legs of the couch to be on the rug, it would mean that the rug has to start three inches away from the living room entrance. Is it okay to have a rug so close to the entrance of the room?
Hi Shira 🙂 I emailed you!
Can you please email picture of curtains aon top of zebra shades and the links thanx
sent!
Hello. What modern art wall decoration would you recommend to hang on the wall near a cream color velvet couch?
Hi Bleemee,
It’s hard to say without seeing the space but for modern art work, I usually like etsy, target and wayfair.
Where can I look for an affordable chandelier for my dining room? Room is about 20×13. No other lights in the room. How big do you think it should be?
Thanks!
Hi Jen!
I like wayfair, ikea, home depot and build.com for affordable fixtures.
In terms of size, you should add the length and width of the room in feet and convert it to inches. In your case, the chandelier should be about 33 inches. Hope this helps!
Hi, was wondering what color rug would go in master bedroom with white furniture?
It’s hard to say without seeing the space but since white is very neutral, you have a lot of options 🙂
Hi! Would you be able to send me the picture/poster idea from best of signs and also master list of links? Hope I’m not asking for too much!!
sent!
Hi,
Love the article! Would you be able to send me some links for kitchen fixtures? Looking for something modern over my dinette.
Thanks!
Hi,
I emailed you 🙂
Thanks for so many great tips. I would love to get some links on fixtures/chandeliers for both modern kitchen and my 28×18 dining/living room. In the dining/living room there are spots over the living room area that form a v, and there is an option for a second fixture in the dining room aside from over the table. Would you recommend a same/ nothing/ or same but smaller fixture for that middle spot?
Hi- do you recommend sheers over white roller shades? Do you have a picture?
Hi Chavi, you can definitely do sheers over roller shades if you you like the look. I emailed you a pic.
Hi,
Thanks so much for this great article (and BCP for refeaturing it!). Could you please share the master links for curtains with me? I’m specifically looking for something that will allow in the natural sunlight but prevent people from seeing in. Also what would you recommend for windows that have radiators right below them?
Thank you
Hi Tova,
I emailed you!
emailed you!
Hi Ahuva
Thank you for the great post! What can I do to update a kitchen and living room with the orangey maple cabinets and molding that were so popular at the beginning of the 2000’s. I’m looking for a paint color that would bring them more up to date. Tysm!!
Hi Rachel! I emailed you!
Hi, thanks for this great post. I’d love the master list of links as well if you can email it to me. Thanks!
Hi leba! I emailed you!
Hi,
Thanks for so generously offering your advice here. Can you send me the master list of links too please?
Do you have links for nice rod like in the link with the sheer curtains that you posted 2 options? looking for my dining room window
emailed you!
Hi. I love your ideas. Can you please send me links for roller shades and light fixtures? Thanks!
Emailed you!
Hey, I see this was posted a while back…but relevant for me now.would love sheer curtains for my dining room, but don’t like the ones with the holes where you see the rod. Any options for that ,that you recommend? Would greatly appreciate. Want the rod as not visible as possible. Do people do those pleated curtains with those crazy pins these days? That’s the look I think I want, but without the hooks….thanks!!
Hi Shana! I emailed you some links
Can I also have the links to the curtains without a rod please? Thanks!
Hi! Would you please be able to send me the picture/poster idea from best of signs and also master list of links? Thanks!
Hi,
I just read all the post and am wondering if you can send me a link. I am looking for sheers, would prefer pinned. Is there anyway I can do it if I have mouldings.
Thank you
I emailed you some links
Hi,
What cheap curtains would you recommend for master bedroom? it doesn’t have to be blackout. just for the decoration.. Thanks!
Emailed you 🙂
Hi. I love your ideas. Can you please send me links for roller shades and light fixtures? Thanks a million…
Hi, would like to have the master links too…
Hi can you please send me some links for light fixtures for the kitchen?
Hi I emailed you
Hi! I love your posts and I’m a regular follower of your blog. You’re so talented! I’m curious what you answered the commenter how to update the orange maple kitchen. Would you recommend cabinet refacing?
Hi 🙂 Thanks for the kind words! I emailed you!
Hi, Thanks so much for this post.
Can you please send me links for affordable zebra shades and sheer curtains?
Also, if my Living room has wood flooring (brown) and I have a brown couch, what coloring should I go with an for an area rug.
Thanks.
Hi can you please send me some links for light fixtures and sheer curtains?
Can you please send me all the links from the master list as I am redesigning different rooms in my house and could use ideas, especally, the sheer curtains, light fixtures, furniture..
Hi,
Love this post! Learned so much from it.
Would love to see links for floor to ceiling sheer curtains for 10ft ceilings without a visible rod. And basic simple roller shades for large windows.
Thanks so much!
Hi! Great post! Can you send me a link for sheer curtains for 9 foot ceiling and for lighting options. Can’t wait to see more posts from you. Thanks!
Hi, can I please have links for light fixtures for bedrooms and bathrooms?
Hi can i have the links to the light fixtures please? Love this post!
Also, what size rug would u get for under two full size beds? And is it a problem to buy those floor to celing curtains with a silver metal hole for over a black rod? I have black hardware in my house.
TY!
Hi! Would you be able to email me a list of links please? I’m redecorating my house now. Thank you!
HI. Would I be able to get a list of links please. If you are still sending it out. Thanks so much!
Hi! are the amazon tracks a good idea to hang curtains on? I don’t love the rod idea. If so, which curtains would you recommend?
HI,
I would love to get the links to sheer pinch pleat curtains.
and the master list for lighting and curtains.
Thank you