Interior Decorator Shares 10 Things She Needs to Have in Her Home

I think lighting is one of the most critical factors in home design and with the introduction of the smart bulb, we have more control over color temperature and brightness than ever before.

A smartphone can control smart light bulbs' brightness and, depending on the brand, users can set scenes and zones and schedule lights to turn on or dim at certain times.

If you need bright-white light during work hours and want soft-warm mood lighting at night, you can customize the settings on your smart bulb for both. And if you rent, controlling the brightness of your lights without installing a dimmer switch is a game changer.

Oftentimes, good interior design extends to the things you don't see, which includes closets and drawers. Clutter and frustration aren't fun so make use of intentional storage solutions to improve your lifestyle.

Invest in quality drawer organizers, clear storage bins, pull-out cabinet organizers, and hooks and racks of every variety to add value to your home.

I love a large statement rug filled with color and texture. Similar to how a piece of artwork can inspire a room's overall design, rugs can be a focal point to create a base for other purchasing decisions. They can also dictate the color palette of my interiors.

If the rug is bright with warm red tones, I'd contrast it with a cool blue or green wall color and incorporate more red in smaller details like artwork. By starting with a rug, a piece that almost every item of furniture will touch, you can easily build your design around a unifying element.

It's important to build a beautiful space that's also functional and getting an entryway mirror is a great way to do so. Incorporating a drop zone with a mirror near the entryway of your home gives you a space to store keys, drop mail, kick off shoes, and hang coats depending on your needs.

I like to decorate entryways with a small console table with a display bowl, a cute lamp or flower vase, and a big beautiful mirror above it. The elements serve as an inviting receiving area for guests and are also a great place to check yourself one last time before heading out the door.

Light-switch and outlet covers can have a big impact on the overall perception of your home. Though higher-quality finishes might initially go unnoticed, they're still little things you subconsciously see and touch every day.

It's also important to think about your specific type of light switch and outlet cover. For example, a toggle switch will get more dirt buildup on it than a rocker version so it will need to be cleaned every so often. Likewise, a screwless switch-plate cover looks more streamlined and clean-cut than one with screws.

I always lean toward putting up larger art pieces rather than hanging multiple elements. If you have a big blank wall, don't just fill the space — take the opportunity to display something on a grand scale.

I find that small decor items can make a space look cluttered but large art creates a more sophisticated feel.

It's even possible to display large art without breaking the bank. There are plenty of creative DIY projects out there to help you make your own large-scale art for less.

I almost always prefer cotton sheets, linen curtains, genuine leather furniture, and wool rugs to manufactured synthetic alternatives.

Polyester sheets, synthetic fiber rugs, and pleather furniture can be less expensive and more durable in some aspects, like their ability to hold color over time. But because they're made from plastic, some of these materials aren't environmentally friendly.

I find natural materials offer a nice sensory experience, wear better over time, and develop a comfortable worn-in look rather than a worn-down appearance.

Floating, or moving furniture to the center of a room while leaving space around the perimeter, is a great trick.

It may seem like you're wasting space, but leaving room along a wall can make an area feel more designed and make the space seem larger.

Floating also allows you to make separate zones within the same room, so it's perfect for oversized living areas that need to double as workstations, home gyms, or hobby spaces.

Planning a color palette for the entire home will create visual cohesion between rooms and an overall theme.

For instance, I might use a natural color palette with warm beige unifying different rooms. If one room uses terracotta and sage, and another features a dusty navy and mauve, I want to lay those colors side by side during the planning process to make sure they support each other even if they're in different spaces.

You can also reinforce a unified theme with consistent flooring, wood stain, and hardware colors.

TVs are common focal points in many spaces, but I recommend creating an area where family and friends can come together without one.

To create a good hangout area, arrange furniture in a conversation circle, prioritizing focal points like a fireplace or large window and having the TV off to the side.

If you have an open floor plan where the kitchen, dining, and living rooms flow together, flexible furniture pieces like floor poufs, ottomans, or swivel chairs allow some movement.

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