5 Game-Changing Interior Design Tips That Will Transform Your Home

We love seeing how our community styles their spaces. Recently, the talented Nita (from Nita's Home Decor) shared a video that truly resonated with our design philosophy at Houlte. She broke down the five "game-changing" tips that took her home from simple to stunning.

Whether you are just starting your design journey or looking to refine your space, Nita’s advice is practical, relatable, and deeply effective. Plus, she featured a special piece from our collection—the Alvar 6 Drawer Chest—to demonstrate how the right furniture anchors a room.

Here are the 5 tips Nita swears by, and how you can apply them to your home today.

Tip 1: Understand Your Style (But Don't Be Boxed In)

One of the biggest hurdles in interior design is feeling like you have to commit to just one label. Are you Modern? Traditional? Boho?

Nita’s revelation was liberating: "It is okay to not have one specific style."

You don't have to narrow yourself down. The magic happens when you combine what you love to create a look that is uniquely yours. The key is cohesion. You can mix modern lines with traditional warmth, as long as there is a common thread tying them together.

• Houlte’s Take: This versatility is exactly why Nita chose the Alvar 6 Drawer Chest (Set of 2). Its sleek black oak frame combined with the warmth of the oak veneer allows it to bridge the gap between Modern and Transitional styles effortlessly.

Tip 2: Curate, Don't Accumulate

This might be the most important rule of all. It is easy to buy things just because you like them individually, but that leads to clutter, not design.

Nita advises: "We want to curate, not accumulate."

Curating means being intentional. It means choosing pieces that serve a purpose and contribute to the overall flow of the room. It’s about quality over quantity. Instead of filling a wall with small, unmatched items, choose substantial, high-quality pieces—like the modular chest set Nita used in her guest room—that provide storage while looking aesthetically pleasing.

Tip 3: Lighting is Everything (Layer It!)

If your room feels "flat" or "boring," the culprit is usually lighting. Nita emphasizes that lighting isn't just functional; it's the mood-setter.

She suggests focusing on three layers:

1. Ambient Lighting: The general overhead light. Pro tip: Put these on dimmers!
2. Task Lighting: Lights for specific jobs, like pendants over a kitchen island.
3. Accent Lighting: This is the secret sauce. Table lamps, picture lights, and candles.

"You may have discovered it just in your own home... turning on an accent light and you're like, 'Ooh, that looks nice!'"

• Styling Idea: Notice how Nita uses the top surface of the Alvar Chest to display decor? That is the perfect spot to place a small accent lamp to add warmth to a corner.

Tip 4: Texture, Prints, and Greenery

This is Nita's personal favorite tip. If your home feels "bland or unseasoned," you are likely missing texture.

"Add in textures, add in prints... bring in some greenery, girl, and you gonna have you a full course, tasty meal!"

A neutral room doesn't have to be boring. By adding:

• Texture: Think boucle pillows, a velvet rug, or the black mesh metal handles on the Alvar chest which add a tactile, industrial element.
• Prints: A patterned throw or artwork.
• Greenery: Plants bring life and color to any corner.

These elements add depth and visual interest without needing to paint the walls a crazy color.

Tip 5: Scents and Fragrance (The Invisible Decor)

Design appeals to the eyes, but don't forget the nose. Nita points out that when you walk into a home, two senses are activated immediately: Sight and Smell.

"It is a part of design."

Whether you prefer a bold signature scent or something light and subtle, fragrance adds the final layer of polish to a home. Candles, diffusers, or even fresh flowers can make your space feel finished and inviting. It’s the difference between a house and a home.

See The Transformation in Action

Want to see how Nita applied these tips to her guest room using the Houlte Alvar 6 Drawer Chest?

In the video, she unboxes the set (highlighting the solid ash wood frame, pine wood drawer boxes, and soft-closing mechanism!) and styles it perfectly using her rules of texture and curation. She mentions how flexible these chests are—using them as a set of two creates a substantial storage unit that fits her wall perfectly.

Loved the furniture featured in Nita’s video? The piece she styled is the Alvar 6 Drawer Chest (Set of 2). With its modular design, you can use them separately or combine them like Nita did for a seamless, custom look.