In a world saturated with Pinterest-perfect interiors and cookie-cutter design aesthetics, many of us find ourselves living in spaces that feel oddly sterile and impersonal. We scroll through social media, saving images of minimalist living rooms and neutral palettes, only to recreate these same uninspired designs in our own homes. The result? Spaces that feel like showrooms rather than sanctuaries. But what if the key to truly loving your home isn’t found in the latest design trend, but in embracing the wonderfully weird?

Takeaways New Hide ▲

Reject beige couches,

add statement pieces

for playful living

Embrace odd color

combinations and clashing

patterns for personality

Funky lighting transforms

spaces into dynamic

conversation-starting environments

Design your home

to reflect your

unique passions and quirks

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❯

Denver-based interior designer Lily Walters (@lilswalty) suggests that many people feel disconnected from their living spaces because they’ve prioritized internet-approved aesthetics over personal expression. “Your home should be a reflection of you—your quirks, your passions, your unique perspective on the world,” Walters explains. “When we design solely based on what’s trending online, we lose that essential connection to our spaces.” Instead, she advocates for a more playful, personalized approach to interior design that celebrates individuality and whimsy.

According to Walters, the path to a more fulfilling home environment lies in embracing the unconventional. This means letting go of design rules that prioritize safety over personality and instead leaning into choices that might seem strange but speak to your authentic self. From unexpected color combinations to furniture pieces that tell a story, Walters encourages homeowners to make bold, sometimes even “weird” choices that transform their spaces from forgettable to unforgettable. Let’s explore her refreshing approach to creating homes that feel truly alive.

@lilswalty

Your home still isn’t weird enough!! #interiordesign #interiordesigner #interiordesigntips #interiordesignideas #weirdhomedecor

♬ original sound – Lily Walters

No More Beige Couches

Walters doesn’t mince words when it comes to the epidemic of neutral furniture sweeping through homes across America. “You don’t need another beige sectional,” she insists. “You need wallpaper that looks like a forest and curtains that clash on purpose and a striped sofa that doesn’t make sense.” This bold stance against playing it safe challenges us to reimagine our living spaces as canvases for creative expression rather than exercises in restraint.

The designer particularly advocates for statement pieces that spark conversation and joy. “Add whimsical touches like a side table that looks like a horse for more character,” she suggests. These unexpected elements become the personality anchors in a room, transforming everyday spaces into memorable environments that reflect the inhabitant’s playful spirit. The approach isn’t about being different for the sake of being different, but rather about surrounding yourself with objects and designs that genuinely delight you, regardless of whether they follow conventional design wisdom.

Add Unhinged Touches

“Your cabinet knobs should be tiny brass spirals or your table legs should be covered in snails,” Walters proclaims, encouraging homeowners to seek out the extraordinary in even the smallest details. These seemingly minor elements can transform utilitarian objects into artistic statements, adding layers of interest throughout your home. The cumulative effect of these small but unexpected choices creates spaces that feel curated rather than copied.

She further elaborates with practical suggestions: “Dining chairs can look like they belong in a children’s board game, a console table can be made of a green bumpy ceramic tile, drawer pulls that are made of rope.” These unconventional choices inject personality into otherwise ordinary functional items. The beauty of this approach is its scalability—you can start small with eccentric hardware or go all in with statement furniture pieces. Either way, these unhinged touches create a home that feels distinctly yours, impossible to replicate from a catalog or algorithm.

Go With Funky Lighting

Lighting represents one of the most overlooked opportunities for creative expression in interior design, according to Walters. She encourages homeowners to “add wall sconces that look like chocolate lava from a melting pot” and other unexpected fixtures that transform the quality of light and the aesthetic appeal of a space simultaneously. Lighting fixtures occupy a unique position in design—they’re both functional necessities and sculptural elements that can define a room’s character.

Beyond just the fixtures themselves, Walters suggests playing with the quality and placement of light to create atmosphere and drama. Unusual lamp placements, colored bulbs, or fixtures with adjustable features allow you to continuously reinvent your space through illumination. This approach to lighting transforms it from a mere utility to an evolving art installation that can shift the mood of your home according to your whims, creating spaces that feel dynamic and alive rather than static and predictable.

Living With Personality

The essence of Walters’ philosophy boils down to a simple yet profound truth: your home should feel like someone with a genuine personality lives there. When guests enter your space, they should get an immediate sense of who you are—your interests, your sense of humor, your unique perspective on the world. A truly successful interior does not garner the most likes on social media, but one that makes you feel authentically represented and deeply comfortable in your own environment.

Creating a home with personality doesn’t require an unlimited budget or professional design skills. It simply demands the courage to trust your instincts and embrace the elements that bring you joy, regardless of whether they fit into conventional design categories. Mix family heirlooms with flea market finds, display collections that showcase your passions, and don’t shy away from bold color choices that reflect your energy. The most compelling spaces tell stories that couldn’t possibly belong to anyone else.