Hey everyone, welcome back! I’m Nick, and today we’re talking about something I’ve learned a lot about over the years—mostly through osmosis. My wife, April, is an incredible interior designer. She’s the talent behind the beautiful spaces you see, but she’s a little camera-shy. So, she’s graciously allowed me to share some of her best-kept secrets with you.
If you want to give your home that high-end, designer look without blowing your budget, you are in the right place. We’re going to go through 9 simple, actionable interior design tips that you can implement this weekend. Let’s get started.
1. Break Up the Matching Furniture Set
First up, let’s talk furniture. I used to think buying a matching furniture set was the easiest way to furnish a room. But April taught me that’s a one-way ticket to a generic, uninspired space. She calls it the “showroom look.”
A true designer’s secret is to mix and match. Combine different styles, textures, and eras. Pair that modern sofa with a vintage armchair. Use an ottoman that doesn’t perfectly match the sectional. It creates a layered, curated look that feels personal and unique. It tells a story.
April’s Quick Fix: Take a look around your home. If you’ve got a room full of matching furniture, break it up. Swap a piece with one from another room and see how it instantly elevates the space.
2. Choose Art with Meaning
Next, let’s talk about what goes on your walls. It’s easy to grab a generic, mass-produced canvas from a big-box store just to fill a blank space. But April has a firm rule: art should be personal.
Instead of buying something that thousands of other people have, create a collection that is uniquely you. Frame your travel photos, support a local artist, or even frame a beautiful piece of fabric or a vintage postcard. A gallery wall that tells your story will always look more high-end than a generic print. It’s not about the price tag; it’s about the personal connection.
3. Let Your Furniture Breathe
This is a big one, and it costs absolutely nothing. Stop pushing all your furniture against the walls! I used to do this, thinking it made the room look bigger. April quickly showed me the light.
By “floating” your furniture—pulling it away from the walls and creating a central conversation area—you actually make the room feel more open, inviting, and thoughtfully designed. It creates flow and makes the space feel more intimate. Anchor the grouping with a great rug, and you’ve got a layout that looks like it was done by a pro.
4. Get the Rug Right
Speaking of rugs, April says the wrong size rug is one of the most common design mistakes she sees. A rug that’s too small will make your whole room look cheap and disjointed.
The purpose of a rug is to anchor the furniture and define the space. A good rule of thumb is to make sure at least the front two legs of your sofa and chairs are resting on the rug. In a dining room, you should be able to pull the chairs all the way out, and they should still be on the rug.
April’s Quick Fix: If you have a rug you love but it’s too small, layer it over a larger, inexpensive natural fiber rug like jute or sisal. It adds texture and solves the size problem instantly.
5. Upgrade Your Builder-Grade Lighting
You know those flush-mount ceiling lights that look a little like a boob? April has declared a one-woman war on them. Builders love them because they’re cheap, but they do absolutely nothing for a room’s style.
One of the quickest ways to upgrade a room is to swap out that builder-grade fixture for something with a little more personality. Think of it as jewelry for your home. It doesn’t have to be expensive! There are amazing, affordable options online at places like Amazon or Wayfair. It’s a small change that makes a huge impact on the mood and style of your space.
6. Tame the Cord Chaos
We all have them: that nest of cords behind the TV or under the desk. It’s visual clutter, and it instantly cheapens the look of a room. April is all about digital hygiene.
There are so many easy solutions for this. You can get paintable cord concealers that blend right into your wall. You can use zip ties or fabric cord organizers to bundle them together. If you’re mounting a TV, a professional can even run the cords behind the drywall for a completely seamless look. A little effort here goes a long way in making your space feel clean, tidy, and high-end.
7. Use IKEA Wisely
Don’t get us wrong, we love IKEA. April is a master at finding the hidden gems. But she always says the key is to use it wisely. A room furnished entirely from IKEA will look like an IKEA catalog.
The trick is to mix those affordable IKEA finds with other pieces. A single IKEA piece, like a bookshelf or a media unit, can look fantastic when it’s surrounded by furniture and decor from other sources. It’s about creating that high-low mix that designers are so good at. It’s not about where it’s from; it’s how you style it.
8. Solve the Shoe Pile-Up
The first thing you see when you walk in the door sets the tone for your entire home. If that thing is a messy pile of shoes, it’s not a great first impression. April is a big believer in a calm, clutter-free entryway.
Ditch the open shoe rack. They tend to look messy no matter how organized they are. Opt for closed storage instead. A slim shoe cabinet that sits flush against the wall, or a bench with hidden storage underneath, is a game-changer. It keeps the clutter out of sight and instantly makes your entryway feel more peaceful and put-together.
9. Elevate Your Mood Lighting
This last one is for anyone still clinging to their college decor. April wants you to know that there’s a better way to do mood lighting than twinkle lights and tapestries.
While twinkle lights can be great for an outdoor patio or holiday decor, inside, they can make a room feel a bit like a dorm. To get that cozy, bohemian vibe in a more elevated way, April suggests using a mix of lamps on different surfaces, candles, and even dimmers on your overhead lights. It’s about creating layers of light to build atmosphere and sophistication.
Small Changes, Big Impact
And that’s it! Nine expert interior design tips from my amazing wife, April. Every one of these tips can be done on a budget. April’s philosophy has always been that great design is about intention, not expense.
I hope you guys found this helpful. Let me know in the comments which one of these you’re going to try first. And if you liked this article, be sure to subscribe for more of April’s expert advice, delivered by yours truly. Thanks for reading!
