Curate Your Home Like a Pro

By Amanda Lauren 

When you step into a designer’s home, it has a different feel—it’s more curated, intentional, and cohesive. Sure, you expect it to be stylish, but there’s also a perfect balance of furniture and decor that makes the space both unique and perfectly put together. Ever wondered what their secret is? We asked designers to reveal the must-have pieces they always incorporate into their homes to achieve that effortless blend of style and personality.

Incorporate Statement Lighting 

Most designers take a “boob-light be gone” approach to decorating. They opt for bold, statement lighting whenever there’s an opportunity, such as in a dining room or living space. “We love to play with light,” says Darrell Gardner, director of product development at CORT Furniture. “An oversized pendant lamp or a vintage chandelier can transform a room from bland to extravagant!”

However, it’s not just about overhead lighting, adds designer Vicki Zagrodnik. “A well-chosen light fixture can provide a room with a sense of purpose, opulence, and architectural interest,” she says. “For example, a utilitarian highlight that brings personality and raises the mood is a stunning wall sconce, sculptural pendant, or dramatic chandelier. Warmth and depth can be created by layering task lighting, ambient lighting, and decorative fixtures instead of depending solely on recessed lighting.”

Buy Vintage or One-of-a-Kind Pieces 

Whether it’s a cherished family heirloom or a chic settee from an estate sale, you’ll never step into an interior designer’s home without seeing at least a few vintage or one-of-a-kind pieces, according to Zagrodnik. “Each designer’s home incorporates contemporary and vintage pieces to make their space feel curated instead of contrived,” she says. “Handmade pottery, vintage rugs, and antique furniture provide a sense of history and personality that mass-produced home decor lacks. These pieces add authenticity and individuality, whether they are handcrafted Persian rugs, antique mirrors, or mid-century credenzas. Combining modern and historical design elements keeps a house from feeling overly formulaic.” Remember, you don’t need a huge budget to find vintage or one-of-a-kind pieces. Check out your local thrift store or resale sites like Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp—you never know what fabulous find someone is trying to offload.

Add Functional Yet Stylish Storage 

Even the most maximalist designer homes lack clutter. That’s because designers know how to incorporate functional yet stylish storage. “Higher storage solutions are a must because interior designers understand the importance of refined, uncluttered spaces,” Zagrodnik says. “All storage pieces—from woven baskets to decorative storage ottomans to custom-built-ins—must be both functional and visually stunning. Glass jars for pantry staples, floating shelves for thoughtfully selected dishes, and concealed drawers for seamless organization are all typical kitchen design features.”

Pile on the Pillows 

Interior designer Lisa Faith says designers always have lots of pillows in their homes—potentially too many! “I’m a pillow addict, and I just won’t do anything but feed my addiction,” she says. “The mix of fabrics, textures, and colors keeps any home feeling curated, comfortable, and an extension of what you love and who you are.”  Want your sofa or accent chair to look like a designer styled it? Don’t buy multiples of the same pillow—opt for variety instead. Remember: more is more here.

Decorate With Candles 

Faith confesses that, like most designers, she has way too many candles in her home. “Creating a soft and fragrant atmosphere brings a sense of comfort and cozies up any space instantly,” she says. If you like candles but prefer a scent-free home, that’s okay—opt for small tea lights in unique vessels instead.

Mix a Variety of Glassware 

If you go to an interior designer’s house and they offer you a drink, chances are they won’t serve it to you in a plain glass or mug. They usually have a generous collection of different glassware, according to Faith. “My kitchen cabinets are filled with glassware from all over the world,” she says. “I love my collection of kitchen glasses and dishes. Using different kitchenware allows me to have an outward expression of my mood—am I feeling vintage English garden, ’70s retro, or mid-century modern?”

Switch Up Your Decorative Items 

Tiffany Glasco, founder of Nahla Madison Homeand Peyahla Design, explains interior designers often have a variety of decorative items they can switch out and mix up, such as throws, home decor items, lighting, and pillows. “These items are interchangeable yet add ambiance, layered texture, and seasonality to the home,” Glasco says. “Interior designers also tend to display their collectibles from their travel and shopping journeys in their home.”

Put Up Artwork 

Gardner reveals you’ll always find cool art in any interior designer’s home. “An interior designer’s home is like a museum,” she says. “We always have at least one piece of artwork that tells a story or sparks conversation. It could be a painting, a sculpture, or even a quirky piece of folk art.” Keep in mind you don’t need to pay museum prices—a print from a local art fair or a thrifted oil painting can look just as cool and interesting as an expensive piece of art.

Add Coffee Table Books 

Whether it’s a stack of vintage novels or chic coffee table books, interior designers always use books to decorate. “An interior designer’s home will always have books,” Gardner says. “They’re not just for reading; they can be used as functional decor on a coffee table or a bookshelf.” More of a binge-watcher than a reader? It’s easy to find stylish books at thrift stores and garage sales. Sometimes, local libraries even have seasonal book sales.

Use Pieces That Reflect Your Personality 

Kathy Kuo, founder and CEO of Kathy Kuo Home, says she’s adamant about having statement pieces in her home that draw the eye and speak to her personality. Whether it’s a large piece of essential furniture or a bold sculpture, having something personal makes a house (or apartment) feel like home. “I am always telling my clients that authentic reflections of what you love and what brings you joy are the key to great design, and I point to my own home as proof,” she says. “One of my favorite pieces is a green velvet sofa—it’s always the first place your eye goes [to] in my living room, which is otherwise home to a lot of warm neutrals, and that’s the point—it’s fun, fancy, and totally me.”