Between the Layers | Design Guide Series
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Holiday

15 Quick Finishes That Make Any Room Look Designer

Sofa ordered. Room still flat?

These 15 pieces make it feel designed by today.

If your living room has been hovering in that almost there phase — the sofa’s in, but the room still feels unfinished — this is your cue. With holidays around the corner, kids coming home, and guests filling the house, these are the pieces that instantly bring warmth and intention back into your space. 

When I’m sourcing for clients, I’m always drawn to the quiet details. The curve of a leg, the patina of a finish, the texture that catches light in a way you don’t even notice until dusk hits. These are the things that separate a room that feels “done” from one that feels designed.

Here’s what I’ve learned walking through hundreds of homes:

You don’t need more furniture — you need the right supporting pieces. A side table that earns its keep. A pair of sculptural lamps that double as art. The tray that finally corrals your remotes and becomes the anchor of your coffee table. The right pillow or throw that softens everything just enough to feel lived-in.

Without these accents your room will fall flat, I promise … so add a few key accents to get a more finished, designer approved space!

Step 01

Pillows. Right now, tapestry inspired pillows are all the rage and I’m loving these two I found! Consider a good accent lumbar like this — great for a bed, or add to your sofa story with a few solid pillows. Mix sizes and fabrics, and have fun with it. I’ve added this solid green one that I absolutely adore with the lumbar. Try these wish a dark chocolate brown sofa, or a a neutral linen to give it some personality.

Step 02

Accent Furniture. This is your coffee table or the side tables. I’ve been sourcing many ottomans lately, and have found that you’re either Team Ottoman or Team Coffee Table! Most of our clients want that relaxed yet polished feel to their living room, so we will add a leather ottoman like this one. Kids can kick up their feet, but then when needed, add a tray and it’s a spot to gather with apps and cocktails. Also I love anything with iron legs these days! These pieces have a beautiful old-world feel. This side table or this one are great for mixing in this material in a delicate way. Don’t go over the top with it, just an accent or two will add depth to your space.

Step 03

Texture. Add a woven element. It can be through a vessel like this one  — just add some faux branches or stems for a pretty soft look to your dining table. Or, a rug is always key IMO! Something like this neutral one — it can go with many different palettes while grounding the space with a subtle pattern and texture.

Step 04

Lighting. Ok, if you have been reading my blog for awhile you know how much I talk about accent lighting. Ha! It’s my not-so-secret hack for creating a layered space. I’m obsessing over these sconces — they’re great in an entryway or above a fireplace. And, though adding electrical isn’t as easy as these other options, if you don’t already have accent lighting in your space, I’d highly encourage you to hire an electrician to add a couple of sconces. You’ll be amazed how elevated it will feel and wish you had done it sooner!

These are small moves that have real weight. Check out all fifteen items we found for you here below.


Shop the look

Rectangular tufted leather ottoman with dark turned legs, perfect for layering trays, books, or cozy throws in a living room. Two-tier round side table with blackened iron frame and glass shelves, ideal for bedside or sofa styling. Warm brown velvet stool with slender black iron legs, a versatile accent for seating or under a console. Double-shelf rectangular coffee table with black iron frame and light wood surface, timeless and functional centerpiece. Arched wall mirror with slim gold frame, perfect for layering light and adding classic elegance to a room. Distressed black console table with multiple drawers and textured detailing, ideal for entryways or behind a sofa. Sculptural marble drink table in warm beige tones, elegant next to an armchair or in a reading nook. Vintage-inspired tapestry featuring lush green foliage and forest scene, framed with a classic woven border. Tall woven wicker vase with sculptural handles, perfect for branches or as a decorative standalone piece. Soft brown linen pillow with natural texture and flange edge, ideal for layering on sofas, chairs, or beds. Long rectangular lumbar pillow with vintage tapestry print in warm brown and mauve tones, perfect for adding depth and texture to a sofa or bed. Rectangular travertine coffee table with slab top and block base, showcasing natural stone veining in neutral tones. Handwoven natural jute rug with a soft grid texture, timeless foundation piece that adds warmth and grounding to any room. Round black iron side table with sculptural, flared legs and hammered finish, a striking modern classic. Sculptural linen wall sconce with pleated shade and brass pull chain, offering soft ambient light with a handcrafted feel.

Click here to shop the complete look!


Need a little more direction?

Promotional image for Clouz Houz Design Guides, featuring layered design boards and a close-up of a woman arranging a silver tray with accessories. Text overlay highlights the guides as a "15+ page complete design guide" for refining your home style.

 

Are you struggling to define your style or figure out how to pull your space together? That’s exactly why we created our Clouz Houz Design GuidesThey’ll help you design a space that feels cohesive, elevated, and personal … without hiring a designer.

Click here to explore the five curated styles, complete with inspiration boards, designer tips, and product links that make sourcing simple. Download for free and get started designing your dream home today!

Not sure which one’s for you? Take our free quiz to discover which aesthetic best suits your space.

We’re here to help you move forward with confidence, and create a home that truly feels like yours.

P.S. Are you new to Clouz Houz? If you’d like to be in the know on all things home and lifestyle, subscribe now so you never miss a post! As a bonus, you’ll receive our exclusive 42-page ‘Paint Guide.’ This Guide will help you select the perfect shades for your home. And, you’ll also receive our weekly newsletter, including special finds that are not on the blog and are only for subscribers. ?

Life is short. Make it beautiful!

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Our style has always leaned timeless and traditional, but never too polished. There’s always a bit of ease to it. Maybe that comes from our roots in Oregon, or maybe from where we are now in Tennessee, but we’re drawn to spaces that feel warm, deeply personal, and quietly layered. A hint of western influence, but not in a way that defines everything. Just enough to give it an organic and rustic edge.

If that feels like you, we’d love to help bring it to life (link in bio to inquire)!
I’m going to be honest... when I first started in this business even I was intimidated.

I would walk into showrooms and wonder how their pricing worked and if you really must know there was a lot of ambiguity around how designers worked.

I have never wanted our clients to feel that way. We keep our process really streamlined, transparent and unintimidating. It starts with a quick questionnaire: budget, goals, how you live, etc. From there, we hop on a 15-minute discovery call to make sure we’re aligned. We want to be sure both parties are a good fit for each other!

Once everyone is agreed this feels “right” we dive into your first full conceptual design and walk you through layouts, materials, and selections in a way that we think brings the space to life.

You’ll have time for edits, and then from there we finalize everything so you can move forward with confidence. We follow through with executing the vision.

Our goal is always to make the process feel approachable and comprehensive. If you’ve been thinking about working with a designer but didn’t know what to expect... this is your sign.

Link in bio or head to our ‘work with us’ page to get started!
Enjoy a minute and a half walkthrough of the main level of our 6th Street Bungalow project. I’ve been having so much fun finally starting to style some of these finished spaces and wanted to share a little update.

This is also your reminder that life actually happens in our homes. Notice the hallway that still hasn’t been wallpapered, the moving boxes stacked in the corner of the dining room, or the empty shelves in the hutch that have quickly become our family’s catchall. Don’t get me wrong, I love a clean and tidy home, but as things usually get put back by the end of the day, a new mess unfolds the next morning. That’s just the reality of living through a renovation. But the mess is also a good sign. It means things are changing, construction is moving, and we’re getting closer to a home that finally feels like ours without people constantly in and out working.

While it’s fun to share the final reveals, this is your reminder that Instagram is a highlight reel. Try not to compare your home to someone else’s on its best.
This voiceover is from an interview with Ina Garten, and it stopped me in my tracks.

My parents still tell the story how they’d leave for a dinner out while I babysat my little sister and brother, and by the time they got home, the entire living room would be completely reworked. Not asked for.... but I just had to see if it could feel better. I had recruited my sister and brother to help me move the furniture in an entire new layout!

I didn’t know it then, but that instinct was the beginning of everything.

Fast forward 35 years... I went from being a stay-at-home mom to starting my own business, taking on real clients (not just my parents, who truly didn’t sign up for the redesigns😂 and building something that genuinely fills my cup.

There were so many moments of doubt in between, like starting later, wondering if it was too late, if I’d missed my window. But here’s the thing. It’s never too late to start. To pivot. To build something around what you naturally love.

Sometimes the thing you’re meant to do has been quietly following you your whole life.
Hey, I’m Allison:))

If you’re new here: I’m a self-taught designer with 20+ years of experience. What began as renovating our own homes has grown into a business helping clients coast to coast reimagine their spaces.

Lately I’ve been re-evaluating who we are and what we do best. I have lots of big ideas (dreams, really), but somewhere along the way things got a little muddled. So I’m getting back to the heart of it:

I make homes feel personal. Whether it’s a full renovation or just a few rooms, I help spaces reflect the people who live in them. A skill I’m most proud of? Knowing how to allocate your budget to deliver an elevated design that’s not only beautiful but lasting.

I’m also deeply committed to listening. I take your vision seriously, guide you through the overwhelm, and help turn those ideas into a reality, because I know how hard decisions can feel alone.

This is what clients come to us for. If this resonates, welcome and glad the algorithm brought you here!
Thanks for being here🫶🏻