8 Interior Tweaks To Make A Big Difference To Your Everyday Joy
You don’t need a full redesign to feel more grounded at home. With just a few intentional changes, these expert-backed ideas bring surprising uplift, softness and clarity to the spaces we live in. By ROXY KAVOUSI-WALKER
In a world that feels increasingly full – of noise, news and never-ending to-do lists – our homes have taken on a special kind of significance. “Our living space becomes one of the few places where we have a sense of agency and control,” says Anna Mathur, psychotherapist and author.
While full-scale renovations tend to steal the spotlight, it’s often the smallest design choices that have the most profound effect on the joy our homes provide – which is why you shouldn’t underestimate the power of subtle design tweaks. As Angus Buchanan, creative director at Buchanan Studio, notes: “There’s that saying – ‘a change is as good as a rest’ – and we think that rings especially true at home.”
Soften your lighting
This was a unanimous favorite among the experts we spoke to. “Lighting is the most transformative device in a designer’s toolkit,” says interior designer Bryan O’Sullivan. Three points were clear: “Turn off overheads, switch on lamps, and always use warm light bulbs (2,700K or lower) for a golden, inviting atmosphere,” explains Buchanan. A change he made in his own home that brings him daily joy is “adding a 5-amp lighting circuit” – simply, one switch on the wall into which various plugs are wired, ideally with a dimmer. And for interior designer Marta de la Rica, “candlelight has a kind of magic that’s difficult to explain, but easy to feel”.
Use color to lift your space
It’s not quite as obvious as it sounds. As O’Sullivan suggests: “You don’t have to go about repainting everything; cushions, fabrics and furniture can all be used to recast a palette.” Plants are another simple way to do this. “They introduce color, texture and a sense of calm,” says Buchanan. “When sunlight hits the leaves, it creates a beautiful display of light and shadow.”
Let nature in
There’s more to plants than color. “Nature is the ultimate mood-lifter,” continues Buchanan, “and larger plants can help zone a space and add a feeling of privacy.” Linda Boronkay of Boronkay Studio takes this idea further: “Plants are wonderful not only for their beauty, but because caring for them becomes a grounding ritual.” It’s a sentiment Mathur agrees with: “I enjoy how the green softens interiors, but also the joy and pride as I witness new shoots and leaves grow.”
Engage the senses
Being purposeful with sensory input can have a ripple effect. “A familiar scent in the hallway can be enough to signal comfort and safety,” explains Mathur. Though not strictly a design tweak, music can also change the feel of a space. “It’s a simple but deeply human design layer,” reflects Boronkay. “Curate a soundscape that matches how you want to feel.” There’s touch, too; in a recent project, Boronkay suggested adding a mohair carpet beside a client’s bed: “Every morning, they step onto this luxuriously soft surface and it brings them joy – it’s a beautiful, tactile start to the day.”
Add one bold piece to spark the imagination
“From intimate photography to expressive abstract works or sculptural furniture, art has the ability to anchor us emotionally and spark daily inspiration,” says Buchanan. “Choose [one piece] you love and move it from room to room. One of our most popular pieces, the ‘Studio Chair’ is often chosen by clients looking to add just one joyful, transformative element to their space. Its graphic stripes and strong silhouette instantly reframe a room.”
Rethink and rearrange
It’s true that clutter can quietly wear us down. “It’s not just about mess – it’s the unresolved decisions and distractions it represents,” says Mathur, who offers a compassionate thought: “A lived-in home is not a failing. The question is whether your space helps you breathe easier or not. If it doesn’t, what might you do to bring some calming order?” Mathur’s new book, The Good Decision Diary, helps people make small, low-pressure adjustments that can boost how they feel and function in daily life. De la Rica suggests “reorganizing a shelf or a tabletop, curating objects, books or personal items in an intentional way”. Doing this one corner at a time makes it more manageable. “This kind of visual order brings calm and speaks to the personality of the home.”
Give forgotten areas some attention
There are certain areas that are key to our daily rhythms, so enhancing these can easily elevate your daily routine. “A beautiful bench or even a special umbrella stand can turn a functional entryway into a charming moment,” says de la Rica. “Hallways are often visible from other rooms and you pass through them constantly, so they deserve thought,” adds Buchanan. “A beautiful runner can turn a forgotten space into something expressive. It’s a great place to be a little bolder and show more personality.”
It’s not about perfection
You don’t need to tick everything off this list to notice a change. If one thing speaks to you, explore that path and see where it takes you. “The most luxurious rooms are the ones that feel personal, layered and full of life,” says Buchanan. Meanwhile, Mathur muses: “A perfectly styled room might look great, but if it doesn’t reflect your daily rhythms, it can feel disconnected. When your home mirrors who you are and what matters to you, it becomes a place of self-acceptance rather than performance.” And that’s where real joy can live and breathe.