Don’t Feel at Home in Your Own Home? Interiors Expert Reveals Subtle Design Shifts That Instantly Elevate Your Space

Our homes are meant to be the place we love the most – yet many people feel disconnected from them. Approximately 36% of UK homeowners reported being unhappy with their current housing situation in 2025.

Design can play a major role in this dissatisfaction, with around one in three homeowners regretting initial design changes they made to their home, from impractical layouts to finishes that no longer suited their style.

With that in mind, we spoke to Jordana Ashkenazi, Founder and Design Director of Element One House, a luxury interior design company, to share her practical advice on the small, thoughtful changes that can help you elevate your home without having to fully redesign.

1. Layered lighting

With the UK’s long, dark winter evenings still lingering well into February, lighting plays a crucial role in how our homes feel during this time of year. “Winter light can feel flat, so February is the perfect time to soften the mood indoors,” notes Jordana.

According to Joanna, layered lighting is one of the most effective ways to “instantly make a space feel warmer and more inviting,” particularly when multiple sources are used together. Jordana recommends combining “table lamps, wall lights and floor lamps,” and advises to “swap harsh white bulbs for warmer tones to create a softer, more romantic atmosphere.”

This subtle shift creates a home that’s more intimate and easier to fall in love with during the darker winter months.

2. Texture over clutter

When your home starts to feel tired or flat, instinctively, we go to add more, but in this case, less is definitely more. Jordana notes that homes often “need texture rather than more furniture,” to bring them back to life. She explains that adding texture “adds depth and warmth without overwhelming the space.”

Simple ways you can introduce texture into your home include adding “boucle cushions, wool throws or a textured rug,” Joanna adds. She notes that “these small updates bring instant interest while keeping things calm and considered,” offering an easy way to breathe new life into a home.

3. Colour palette refresh

Another way Jordana suggests to refresh a space is to update the colour palette. Fully redecorating a room isn’t necessary for a reset, often a subtle colour shift is enough, she explains.

She suggests introducing “gentle tones like warm neutrals, muted blush, clay or soft greens through cushions, artwork or accessories.” These soft colours help to “lift a space for late winter while still feeling grown-up and timeless.”

4. Smart storage

“Visual clutter is one of the biggest mood killers at home,” Jordana notes, so it can play a significant role in how we feel about our space.

She explains that smart storage solutions, particularly built-in furniture or storage hidden behind sliding door wardrobes, help to “hide everyday mess and create a sense of calm.” Jordana adds that “Clearer surfaces instantly make a room feel more luxurious and intentional.”

Reducing visual noise is a simple way to make relaxing at home easier and to truly enjoy the space.

5. “Feel good” zone

Finally, Jordana suggests focusing on styling “one ‘feel-good’ zone,” in your home “rather than tackling the whole house.” This should be a space “you use daily, such as the bedroom or living room,” she adds.

This could be as simple as adding “fresh bedding, a new lamp or re-styling shelving.” These small updates “can completely change how the space feels, helping you reconnect with your home without a big spend,” Jordana explains. A simple, cost-effective way to lift the vibe of your home and make it feel instantly cosier and more welcoming.

So there you have it, five expert-backed ways to elevate your home without the need for a full redesign. Which of these simple updates will you try first?