10 Artist-Inspired Ways to Make Your Home Look Custom
My Aunt Jody Terrazas’ home in Spain, furnished with art and antiques, as well as ironwork by my uncle, Reynaldo Terrazas
The most beautiful homes I've been in are not the most expensive ones.
The interiors that made the biggest impression on me, that whispered rich stories about the people who lived in them and still live on in my memory, where the homes of creatives.
There was the tiny apartment of the married poets whose every (I mean every) surface was stacked with books. There was the curator's home with the disco ball in the shower. There was my Aunt and Uncle's Oakland home, with its golden walls, collections of Mexican pottery, and my uncle's ironwork everywhere—from the banister to the pot hooks.
These homes might have looked out of place on Pinterest, but in person they were welcoming, intriguing, and unforgettable.
Maybe your home is builder grade, a tract home, or a rental, and you want to add character. Maybe you find it difficult to parse the home decor trends for what reflects your personal taste. Maybe you simply long for a space that feels like you. As an artist that grew up around artists, I learned a creative attitude toward making a home that I carry through my work as a designer. And the good news is that, while artists seem instinctually to make a home feel special, they do so in ways anyone can borrow.
Here's ten creative approaches to your home that will make it feel unique, custom and special.
1.
Know What Inspires You
What moves you? I'm not talking about interior design trends, though you can include them. I'm talking about what gives your life joy and meaning.
Maybe it's family, or your ancestral origins. Maybe it's a particular place you spend summers, or a lifetime of world travels. Maybe it's food, or books, or marine biology. You can find inspiration anywhere—your favorite brands, your grandfather's house, a beloved cookbook. Whatever it is, add images to a collage or a Pinterest board. Yes, that's right—an old fashioned mood board.
When you're done, take a look: what colors, textures, and feelings emerge? If you can start to identify patterns, palettes, and themes, use these to guide your design choices.
photo: my 2023 mood board
2.
Frame it
An easy, budget-friendly way to inject your personality into your home is by framing the special momentos of your life, and I don't just mean photos.
Frame love letters, your grandmother's hand-written recipe, children's artwork, old concert tickets, or a wallpaper swatch from your childhood home. Frame architectural plans and family documents. Frame objects like military badges, old keys, and that feather you found on that special hike.
Use a professional framer if you can, even for humble objects, or source vintage frames at flea markets. Or just use these, which I love.
design: Studio Iro
3.
Create Unexpected Encounters
Now that you have a collection of framed art, mementos and objects, go beyond the gallery wall and be creative in your placement.
One of my favorite tricks is to hang art asymmetrically. Try a small piece above the left side of the headboard, or just off-center of the mantel. It looks special and considered.
And don't neglect the less obvious surfaces and areas of your home. I've seen art beautifully installed under a kitchen cabinet or even on the range hood. Try art in a larger closet, a small bathroom, in a bookshelf or over an interior door. The more unexpected the better.
Design: Hotel Lou Pinet
4.
Light the Mood
Think like a theater director and layer lighting fixtures to set a scene.
Diners linger over a table lit softly by a chandelier. A task light by a cozy chair invites a reader. Sconces flatter (where canned light can be harsh). Picture lights highlight special pieces. A little table lamp on a kitchen countertop is perfect for a midnight snack.
And don't forget candlelight! It makes a space feel cozy and belongs in every room.
design: Aker Interiors
5.
Include Vintage
When everything is new in a home, it tends to look dated quickly.
To give your home a timeless look, layer in a vintage area rug from the flea market, midcentury chairs from Facebook Marketplace, and lamps from local antique shops. That old armoire of your great-grandmother's is probably pretty special too.
6.
Customize Upholstery
This tip isn’t the most budget friendly of the bunch, but is generally a sound investment, especially considering the declining quality and comfort of retail upholstery today.
Many designers know incredible vendors of custom-made-in-the-USA furniture and are happy to help you place even a single order. Source your fabric (upholstery grade) by taking a trip to your local design center or fashion district, or source vintage fabrics online.
You can also ask a local tailor to turn your fabric finds into throw pillows or cushions (this is an easy diy for anyone with a sewing machine). A single lumbar bed pillow made from a vintage rug found on your travels could elevate the whole room.
design: chrislovesjulia
7.
The Magic is in the Details
Artists notice details. And a whole room can be transformed by a single one.
Hit the salvage yard to replace all your builder grade doorknobs with beautiful old hardware. Upgrade your light switches from plastic to brass or ceramic. Update your molding. Choose paint color carefully—even if the wall color is white, make sure it’s the most beautiful white. Consider booking a color consultation with a designer.
Nothing is so humble that it can't be beautiful. Get a pretty wastebasket, an elegant pen holder, a special soap dispenser.
design: Ashe Leandro
8.
Treat Your Windows
Windows connect you to the world, frame your view, and modulate light.
Find beautiful solutions for them.
If you can't afford custom drapery, look for affordable roman shades or bamboo blinds, or take some pretty fabric to the tailor to make into cafe curtains.
Window treatments are a great place to get creative.
design: Betsy Brown Inc.
9.
Commission Craftspeople
When considering a furniture purchase or built-in, consider whether you could commission a custom-maker instead of buying retail.
Artists' homes are full of things their friends made, but you can email the director of a local art school, search Etsy, or tour open studios events to find the right artisan for your project.
Be honest about your budget and open about your desires—a craftsperson will be happy to guide you through costs and design ideas. You'll be supporting your local creative economy and in possession of an heirloom.
design: Commune Design
10.
Bring Nature In
Artists find inspiration outside.
The next time you find an interesting chunk of driftwood, consider how it might look above your mantel. Put your shell collection in a beautiful bowl on a side table for visitors to sift through. Print a shot of your favorite landscape and frame it. These living elements connect the home to the world beyond, and speak to the curiosity and adventures of its owner.
design: Lauren Leiss
I hope you discover some inspiration in these ideas—there are many easy ways to make your home look unique, feel special, and reflect your personal style that don't involve renovating, remodeling, or investing in expensive millwork or custom built-ins. These projects can help anyone dream beyond the cookie cutter and think like an artist or an interior designer to create a space you're proud of.
And let us know in the comments which homes you've never been able to forget, or which special detail makes your home feel custom. Thanks for sharing!
