Many homeowners or renters find themselves frustrated when their interior design efforts fall flat. You’ve bought the furniture, added decorative touches, and followed the basic principles of design — yet something still feels off. Your space lacks that polished, professional quality that makes a house truly feel like a stylish home.

Takeaways New Hide ▲

Vary faux floral

stem heights and textures

for a natural arrangement

Add matting or

fabric under art

for a gallery look

Replace white light

switch plates with coordinated

colors or metals

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If you’re wondering why your decor doesn’t quite measure up to the inspirational images you save, you’re not alone. The difference often lies in small details that most people overlook but that professional designers instinctively address. These subtle elements can be the difference between a space that looks amateur versus one that exudes sophistication.

Fortunately, we’ve got answers from interior designer Kiva Brent (@kivabrent), who has identified three simple swaps that can instantly elevate your home’s look. These easy-to-implement changes require minimal investment but deliver maximum impact in transforming your space from basic to beautiful.

@kivabrent

Here’s how to upgrade the home decor you already have to take your home from looking cheap to looking chic! #homedecorating #interiordesign #luxuryhometips #homedecor #homedecoratingtips

♬ 夏とブランチ (Acoustic) – ruuka

1. No More Uniform Faux Florals

“Fake flowers can feel flat when they’re all the same height,” Brent says. “Instead, vary them in stems and mix in other textures for a designer arrangement.”

The uniformity of store-bought artificial arrangements is often what gives them away as fake. Professional designers create dynamic displays by incorporating stems of different heights, adding unexpected elements like branches or grasses, and ensuring the overall composition has a natural, slightly imperfect appearance. This approach creates visual interest and mimics the organic quality of real floral arrangements.

2. Upgrade Your Art

“No prints directly from the frame,” Brent advises. “Add a poster board or even fabric swatches, for a high-end gallery look.”

This simple trick instantly elevates even inexpensive artwork. The added matting creates visual breathing room around your piece, drawing the eye inward and making the artwork appear more intentional and valuable. Consider using colored mats that complement your decor for an extra designer touch, or try layering materials for a textured, dimensional effect that adds sophistication to your walls.

3. Get Rid Of The White Light Switch Plates

“Skip this if your walls are painted or wallpapered,” Brent explains. “Choose one that’s metal or paintable, that repeats an existing color in your space and articulates your design style.”

Standard white plastic switch plates create jarring visual interruptions on colored or textured walls. By swapping them for options that either blend in or become intentional design elements, you create a more cohesive, thoughtful appearance. Consider brass plates in rooms with warm metallic accents, matte black versions in modern spaces, or even custom-painted plates that match your wall color perfectly for a seamless look.

The Final Touch

These three refined swaps embody the essence of sophisticated design: thoughtful consideration, textural contrast, and visual harmony. By implementing these subtle yet significant changes, you’ll transform your space into one that whispers elegance rather than trying too hard to impress. After all, true chic lies not in grand gestures, but in the artful attention to those small elements that collectively elevate the everyday into something extraordinarily stylish.