Every now and then I walk into my living room and I feel like something is missing. That’s my cue to switch it up a little bit. It’s normal to not want your home to look exactly the same for years. Aferall, they say variety is the spice of life, right?
Sometimes, even the most beautiful spaces can feel flat or uninspired.
If you’ve ever felt a little disconnected from your home, know that sometimes all it takes is a simple tweak to bring a room back to life. With our busy schedules, finding the time (and budget) for a full makeover isn’t always realistic. That’s where these quick home design tips come in.
These quick home design tips offer high-impact, budget-friendly changes that make a big difference. From refreshing your walls with art to adding cozy textiles, discover 5-minute updates that can instantly revitalize your space, bringing warmth, personality, and style—no renovation required!
Images via Pinterest.
1. Refresh with Art and Wall Decor
Sometimes changing out your wall decor for something else will create a huge impact to the overall design of your space. Recently I did a living room design audit for our client Sara. Sara’s living room was relatively well furnished – it had a sofa, a couple of accent chairs, a media unit where the TV was hung on the wall above. It was a small space but I liked the furniture choices she had made.
One of the things I noticed was that her sofa was placed against a wall and above the sofa, there was a collection of framed family photos. There were about 5 of them and it looked like perhaps Sara had tried to create a gallery wall. Because I’m looking at the wall with my eye for design, I felt that this collection of photos was not the write scale or size for the space above the sofa. It was way too small for the area. I suggested swapping out this collection for a bigger piece of art that would span about 2/3rds of the length of the sofa.
Changing out your artwork is one of the simplest, high-impact decor tricks. A bold piece on a prominent wall can shift the entire mood of a room, drawing the eye to a new focal point and creating a sense of completion. If you’re looking to bring energy into your space, try an abstract piece or something with vibrant colors. For a calm, relaxed vibe, opt for softer, nature-inspired prints.
Also, my personal preference when it comes to family photos is to use decorative frames and place them on surfaces around the room in clusters. This is a general rule I use not only in my space but also when we work on client projects. Obviously if the client prefers a gallery wall feature with family photos, we will happily oblige. Family photos can make a great gallery wall if you understand how to do it in a way that creates an elevated aesthetic.
If you’re on a budget or want to try something unique, print your favorite high-resolution photos in black and white and hang them in simple frames. This look is timeless, and the black-and-white tones lend sophistication without overwhelming the space.
Images via Pinterest.
2. Change Up Your Textiles
Swap pillow covers, throws, or rugs for a new color, pattern, or texture.
Textiles are one of the easiest ways to bring warmth, texture, and color into a room, and changing them out is a super-simple trick that can refresh your space instantly. Think of textiles as the wardrobe of your home. Just like swapping out a scarf or a coat changes your look, swapping pillows or throws can transform your living space.
A good friend of mine, Mariska has a home that is mostly neutral.. To bring warmth into her space she uses textiles like throws and pillows in gorgeous beachy tones like blues, greens and warm beiges. But on a recent visit, she was telling me that she’s feeling a little tired of the cooler tones in her home. We decided to swap them out for some warm tones with richer, textured ones—think deep rust, charcoal, and earthy browns. We added a chunky, knit throw over the arm of her sofa, and within minutes, the room felt cozier, more inviting, and perfectly suited for the season.
Textiles don’t just add color—they add dimension. A velvet pillow, a linen throw, or a patterned rug can add layers of texture that make a space feel dynamic and thoughtfully curated. For summer, try lighter fabrics and brighter colors; for fall or winter, introduce heavier, warmer textures to make the space feel snug.
Switching out textiles is one of the easiest ways to change up your decor as seasons change. But I will admit that I don’t change my decor seasonally. I tend to do it when I’m tired of a look and want a change.
Images via Pinterest.
3. Upgrade Your Lighting
Lighting is often the unsung hero of design; it can make or break the atmosphere of a room. One of my favorite easy home design tips is to change up lighting. This doesn’t mean you have to buy a new lamp—sometimes, just changing the lampshade or swapping a light bulb can have a surprising effect.
I live in an area where there are a lot of condos. From what I see there is an equal mix of cool and warm tone lighting used by a lot of homeowners. I’m not the biggest fan of really cool toned lighting. It makes me feel like I’m in some institution like a school or a hospital and that’s not what I would want in my home. A quick swap to warm-toned bulbs will softened the whole room, making it feel cozier and more inviting instantly.
For those who want a more modern look, consider using a cooler, white light in areas like the kitchen or bathroom, where you need clarity. For living rooms and bedrooms, warm-toned lighting can bring a relaxing and intimate feel. And don’t overlook lampshades—swapping a plain shade for something with texture or a pop of color is an easy upgrade.
You can also invest in dimmable LED bulbs or smart bulbs that allow you to change the hue and brightness with a simple app. It’s a small change that lets you customize the ambiance to suit your mood, making the room feel fresh and personalized.
And if you have the budget, try a new table lamp or a floor lamp to instantly create a different look in your space.
Images via Pinterest.
4. Style with Decor Accents
Add or rearrange a few decorative accents, like vases, books, or small sculptures, on shelves or tables.
I think of small decor accents as the jewelry for your home. They’re not essential, but they add that special touch that completes the look.
When styling with decorative accent pieces, the key is to mix different shapes, textures, and heights. Group items in threes for visual appeal, and vary the height of each item for dimension. This is especially helpful on coffee tables or shelving units. For example, try a small plant, a stack of books, and a decorative bowl or candle together on a tray. The key is to make the setup look intentional and balanced, not cluttered.
With places like HomeGoods or HomeSense, you can easily change your accessories without a big hit to your wallet.
Pro Tip: Stick to a color palette when styling to create a cohesive look, or, for a quick seasonal touch, add themed decor that reflects the current time of year. In winter, a metallic or crystal candle holder adds a warm glow; in summer, a small seashell or coral sculpture can bring a coastal vibe.
Images via Pinterest.
5. Revitalize with Greenery
Bring in a small potted plant or vase with fresh flowers, or reposition existing greenery.
Nothing adds life to a space quite like plants. I worked with a homeowner, Emma, who had a beautifully decorated living room but felt it lacked warmth and energy. After adding a potted snake plant to a corner and a vase with fresh blooms to her coffee table, her space felt complete. The greenery brought a natural softness and vibrancy that perfectly complemented her minimalist decor.
Plants aren’t just for aesthetics—they also have health benefits. Studies have shown that plants can improve air quality and even reduce stress. For easy maintenance, go for plants like succulents, snake plants, or pothos. These varieties require minimal watering and are resilient to indoor conditions. If you’re not into real plants, high-quality faux plants can add the same visual appeal with zero upkeep.
If floor space is limited, consider hanging a small potted plant near a window or adding a trailing plant like a pothos on a shelf. The cascading greenery adds texture and draws the eye upward, giving a sense of height and flow to the space.
Images via Pinterest.
When it comes to designing a home you love, it doesn’t always take a big renovation or a big budget to make a meaningful change. Sometimes, it’s the small, thoughtful adjustments—the ones you can complete in just five minutes—that end up bringing the most joy. With these easy home design tips, you now have the tools to refresh your space without any hassle or heavy lifting.
Each of these quick wins—whether it’s refreshing wall art, switching up textiles, upgrading lighting, styling small decor accents, or adding a touch of greenery—offers a high-impact transformation with minimal time investment. They’re the kind of changes you can make in the middle of a busy day, during a coffee break, or even as a way to unwind after a long workday. Imagine walking into your living room after swapping out a couple of pillows or adding a warm-toned lightbulb, only to find that the space feels instantly refreshed and more like “you.”
These tiny updates are like little gifts to yourself, creating moments of joy and discovery within your own space. It’s amazing how a well-placed plant, a bold new piece of art, or the right lighting can shift the whole vibe of a room and make it feel like you’ve breathed new life into it.
