My 3 Favorite (and Easy!) Ways to Elevate a Room — A Note from Heather

Simple Design Tips That Instantly Refresh Your Space

One of the most common questions I get is:

“How do I refresh a room or make my home feel more elevated—without doing a full renovation?”

And I love this question, because the answer is: you don’t need a massive budget or major remodel to give your home a designer look. A few thoughtful tweaks can completely transform a room.

Whether your space is feeling a little flat, dated, or just not as pulled together as you'd like, here are my three go-to design tricks to refresh a room quickly and affordably—without compromising style.

1. Switch Up Your Accessories & Decor

This is hands-down the easiest way to give your space a lift—and it works every time.

You don’t need to replace your furniture (though if that’s on your list, we’ve got you 😉). Just start small and strategic.

Swap out or layer in:

• Throw pillows

• Cozy throws

• New table or floor lamps

• Vases and ceramics

• Artwork or framed prints

• Shelf styling accents

Seriously, even just switching out four pillows on your sofa can breathe new life into the whole room. And don’t underestimate the power of a well-styled bookshelf—rotate a few items, rearrange others, and suddenly the space feels fresh.

Pro Tip: Accessories are the best place to experiment. Want to try a bold color, interesting shape, or new texture? This is your moment. It’s low commitment, but high impact.

2. Add a Rug (Yes, Even Over Carpet!)

I say this all the time because it’s that powerful: a rug can totally change the feel of a room—even if you already have carpet.

Rugs do so much heavy lifting in a space. They:

• Ground your furniture

• Add visual weight and dimension

• Introduce texture, pattern, and color

• Make the room feel warm, layered, and intentional

And no, you don’t need a super luxe or vintage rug to see results. There are tons of beautiful, budget-friendly options out there that look high-end.

When choosing a rug:

• Make sure at least 2/3 of the rug’s colors already exist in your space.

• If you have a lot of pattern going on, opt for something more neutral.

• If your space is solid or minimal, try a fun vintage-inspired pattern for a pop.

Bottom line: A well-placed rug makes any space feel complete.

3. Don’t Sleep on Lighting

Lighting is one of the most overlooked elements in a room—and one of the most transformative.

So many people rely on ceiling cans and call it done. But adding layered lighting is where the magic really happens.

Try this lighting trifecta:

• Overhead lighting (check)

• Table lamps (for ambiance)

• Floor lamps (for warmth + style)

• Bonus: Candles (real or faux) for that extra glow

Switching out an outdated fixture or even just adding a new sculptural lamp can elevate your entire room. And don’t forget your natural light! Open those curtains wide, consider switching to sheers, or even reposition your furniture to take better advantage of your windows.

Lighting brings warmth, depth, and that cozy “designer” feel we’re all after.

Let’s Recap:

If your space needs a refresh, these simple updates go a long way:

Swap out accessories & decor
Add a rug—even over carpet
Layer in lighting for warmth & style

They’re easy, budget-friendly, and most importantly—they work.

Need a Hand Pulling It Together?

We do this every day—and we’re here to help. Whether you're shopping for the perfect throw pillow, hunting for the right rug size, or looking for lighting that doesn’t feel cookie-cutter, we’ve got you.

Bring a few photos of your room, stop by our Utah interior design showroom, and we’ll help you find the pieces that bring your vision to life.

Your space deserves to feel finished, fresh, and totally you.

-Heather Hansen, President
Elevated home design. Personalized style. Effortless experience.