Having a home is great, but most folks spend the majority of their time inside it, not just admiring the building’s walls. So it stands to reason that interior design is a pretty important part of having a living space. This is considerably easier said than done, so it can always be helpful to explore other folks’ ideas.
We’ve gathered some of the most unique and interesting home decor ideas that people have shared online. So get ready to get inspired, make yourself comfortable, upvote your favorites and be sure to add your own thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
#1 This Is My Downstairs Powder Room
Since it's only 3' x 5', I thought the remodeling job would be easy. Nope. Took me about 8 weeks to complete. My home is from the Victorian-Era (circa 1900). I know this isn't everyone's cup of tea but I like it.
Image credits: maxxnas
#2 Before And After Of Our Ugly Bathroom
Image credits: batspaz
#3 Nursery Makeover Before And After
We wanted a gender-neutral nursery with nature elements and a warm, sunny and cozy vibe. Missing a rug and a side table but it's pretty much ready 💛
Image credits: -thesunwillrise-
Turning a house into a home need not cost an arm and a leg or require expert interior design skills, some basic, sound decisions can help one make a house a cozy, inviting, and comfortable home. With an understanding of some simple interior design principles, one can make their house a homelike space where people are inclined to be, unwind, and connect.
Lighting is perhaps the most powerful tool to make a room feel cozy. Good lighting sets the mood of the room and dictates how we feel within it. Instead of overhead lighting alone, work to layer light across your house. Combine ceiling lights with floor lamps, table lamps, wall sconces, and even string lights or candles. Choose warm-toned soft bulbs that produce a cozy warm light rather than harsh, white light. The atmosphere must be welcoming no matter the time of day.
#4 Gave Our Small Bathroom A Budget Makeover - Thoughts? (After/Before Pics)
Image credits: larvfinger
#5 Usually A Demo And Exterior Guy. Don't Crush My Pantry. Before And Afters
Image credits: ricksflair
#6 Before And After: Kitty Room!
Image credits: fivenapsaday
Warm colors are also essential in warm interior design. Neutrals such as beige, taupe, pale gray, and creamy white form a relaxing base that's easy to work from. The addition of accent colors, like muted blues, forest greens, terracotta, or mustard yellow, provides depth and warmth without overwhelming the room. These colors work well in various cushions, rugs, curtains, artworks, or painted furniture. Choosing a unifying color scheme throughout the home can also foster flow and calm.
#7 I Saved And Reupholstered My Chairs. Results Are Better Than Expected
Image credits: squirlgirl32
#8 Under Stairs Reading Nook
My husband and I built this reading nook and I couldn’t be more in love! (Will be adding a cabinet door to that empty space under the little fireplace and eventually making the fireplace look built in but that can wait)
Image credits: livinginlaundry
#9 I Wallpapered My Built In Shelves And I’m In Love
Posted here for some advice on refreshing this room a few months ago and got some good advice that the shelves weren’t working as a focal point in the room with all the clear glass items (swipe for before photo). I didn’t want to get rid of the wineglasses etc since this a useful place for them so I added wallpaper to give it some pop and I love how it turned out.
Still working on making some small changes to the room but I’m thrilled with what a difference the wallpaper has made.
Image credits: apieceoftoastie
Texture is crucial in making coziness. A space is warmer when it is layered with different materials and surfaces. Think of a plush rug on a hardwood floor, a chunky knit afghan draped over a velvet armchair, linen drapes billowing in front of an open window, or wicker baskets overflowing with magazines and throw blankets. Nature-derived materials like wood, wool, leather, and cotton are grounding and textured. Swapping out throw pillows every season or adding a new table runner can even add warmth and personality.
#10 Before And After Office Remodel
Image credits: SmallRuin6767
#11 Just Finished Our Front Room And We’re In Love! Ceiling Tiles Are From Amazon
Image credits: handmade_brass_light
#12 The Thing We Love The Most About Our Home: Having A Private Library
Image credits: sbaghetticarbonara
Don’t forget to think about how furniture is laid out. Arrange space so that it feels open and accessible, yet still encourages closeness and intimacy. Place furniture in groupings to encourage conversation, put sofas and chairs facing one another rather than all facing a TV. Include plenty of comfy seating with cushions and throws in close distance. If you have a large window or fireplace, consider featuring it as a focal point to extend the sense of warmth or feeling of being close to nature.
#13 My Husband Built Floating Shelves With Grow Lights For Some Of My Plants, And I Painted A Mural Behind Them
Image credits: courtneyrel
#14 I Would Be Chuffed Too
Image credits: Xenoradcd
#15 Closet Door Makeover!
Image credits: lindsey_what
Personal touches turn a house into a home. Having pictures of family members, artwork you love, books you've read, and vacation souvenirs gives the space the feeling of being lived-in and meaningful. Don't fret about mixing styles, warmth comes more from authenticity and charm than from coordinating furnishings. A vintage lamp, a handmade bowl, or a worn leather chair can each carry a story and give your home soul.
#16 Our First Room Renovation In Our First Home. How’d We Do?
Image credits: BepisMucs
#17 Bathroom In 1931 Spanish Revival House In San Marino
Image credits: missyagogo
#18 Stained Glass Nightstand Lamp Made By Me
Image credits: Parmesan28
Bringing plants into your home is a simple method of adding warmth and health. Houseplants bring color and freshness to the room and will purify the air. Even a single or twin plant, a potted fern, peace lily, or hanging ivy, will moderate a room and make it more lively. Should you lack a green thumb yourself, dried flowers or high-quality artificial plants will still provide visual warmth.
#19 Friend Left Town And I Decided To Paint Her Door! (Don’t Worry She Had Mentioned Before She Wanted It Painted, I’m Crazy But Not That Crazy LOL)
Image credits: chaklimarketer
#20 Kitchen Reno - Reused And Reconfigured Existing Cabinets
Image credits: CalmSail2782
#21 Final Library Reveal!
Image credits: kshades12
Lastly, balance neatness with coziness. A cozy house is not immaculate, it’s relaxed and lived-in. Instead of attempting to create a showplace, think about how the room works in your life. Create tiny spaces where people tend to gather or pause, a reading nook with a light and a chair, a breakfast table by the window, a soft rug where children play. These small, intentional gaps introduce character and coziness into a house.
#22 Before & After (Well, During)
Image credits: the_moody_cottage
#23 Emerald Green Bathroom (Finally Finished)
Image credits: CotaPT
#24 We Love This Triangle Bookshelf
Image credits: reddit.com
Ultimately, coziness is more about sensation than appearance. By paying attention to light, color, texture, order, and individuality, you can create a space that's warm, functional, and full of personality. Irrespective of whether you have a small apartment or a large house, thoughtful design can turn any room into a sanctuary of comfort.
#25 Gave My Front Door Some New Life Today!
Image credits: nocab_09
#26 Bathroom DIY Reno. So Happy!
Image credits: HumpyChip
#27 Lean Into Your Pink Tiles
We bought our house in 2017. When we moved in, I hated our 1952 pink tiles. I almost painted them. But my dad said, "wait a few years. They will be back in style" now I'm so glad we didn't.
I really leaned into the vintage vibes and added gold accents and stenciling to look like wallpaper. I'm so happy w how it turned out. These tiles were handmade in Italy and done so well. I wouldn't be able to replace them w anything of real quality and it would gut me to break them all up.
So embrace your old house and really lean into what makes it unique instead of fighting it.
Image credits: Decent_Cobbler7479
#28 Kitchen Remodel Done Entirely By My Husband And I For $3k
Image credits: courtneyrel
#29 Guest Bathroom Glow-Up, From Shed To Sea
Image credits: mentalist_mental
#30 My Primary Closet Had Lots Of Wasted Space. I Designed/Created A Dedicated Office In There, Still Keeping Enough Room For A Closet. Thought?
Image credits: Dynasty_Handbag
#31 Front Porch Before And After
Image credits: GeneralPineapple1001
#32 It’s Simple, But I’m Happy With This Shelf I Built
Image credits: shell_raiser
#33 Wanted A Dark And Moody Office
Image credits: blenda220
#34 Finally Finished My Living Room In The New Apartment
Image credits: turtlesinatrenchcoat
#35 We Turned Our Tiny Box Room Into A Bedroom For Our Baby Daughter
Image credits: BettyOBarley
#36 Daughter's Nursery
Image credits: chaklimarketer
#37 Moved Into My Own Apartment
Image credits: altertheartist
#38 Kitchen Remodel…. All Work Done Myself… Very Happy With The Results! (Scroll For The Befores)
Image credits: RZNCA1N
#39 Pantry Reno Before & After
Slowly but surely turning this builder grade house into a home one project at a time! My goal was to have a neutral space with increased storage and functionality. We also took the opportunity to open up the wall to put in power outlets and run a water line to the wall where the stovetop is so we could drill through and install a pot filler.
The pantry was full to brim before the cabinets went up since the shelves were so narrow (they were also bowing from the lack of supports on the long side, why builder?!?) and now I have tons of empty space. A local company installed the cabinets and butcher block counter and then we did the tile backsplash. I’m considering some more fun/unique cabinet hardware but the current hardware matches what is in the kitchen and mudroom so I’m going to live with it a while and reconsider later
Image credits: SuperRoonz
#40 Just Upgraded Our Dining Room
We don’t have a pantry or enough storage in the kitchen for all my gadgets. This gives me extra space and gets all the bottles off the kitchen counter! Eventually we will hang a wine rack to the left and turn part of the butcher block to a coffee station as well.
Image credits: ohheyitsjanet
#41 Moody Blues 💙 Seattle, Wa Bathroom Remodel
Image credits: ModelRemodel
#42 I See Your Poop 2.0 Tp Holders And Raise You My Tp Sheep
Image credits: RoisRane
#43 Recovering Gray Millennial - How Am I Doing?
Image credits: TangerineTease
#44 Taupy Kitchen Reno
Image credits: Halcyon-Haus
#45 After/Before Living Room
Image credits: blissingmeee
#46 Before/After Picture Of Our Hallway
Image credits: Intelligent_Log_4438
#47 Primary Bath Before & After
The stone before was making me so dizzy - lived with it for over a year and had to create a more spa-like bathroom retreat. Shifted the shower so we had a his & hers.
Image credits: Halcyon-Haus
#48 Before And After Of Our Scary Basement Bathroom. Before Baby #2 Came !
Image credits: South_Information_15
#49 Psa: If You're Considering Painting Old 70s Paneling, Just Do It
I know people tend to love wood in this sub but... i do not. At least not this wood. It was cheap feeling and sooo orange and just not my vibe. My husband and I primed and painted with Sherwin-Williams Retreat in satin, and I'm so pleased with the results. Also happy we kept the baseboards, window casings, and shelf unpainted - i think the green helps de-orange the wood and make it look more modern.
Image credits: gwendolyn_trundlebed
#50 Before And After Of My First Baby (Now Toddler) Room
Image credits: South_Information_15
