Key Points
\nReplace harsh lighting and synthetics with layered lighting and natural, patina-friendly materials.Avoid mass-produced, overly formal, matchy decor that strips personality from a space.Choose washable, colored upholstery instead of intimidating white sofas.<\/p>\n
An inviting home instantly welcomes you and makes you feel relaxed. Whether it’s through comfortable materials that have developed a patina over time or layered lighting that sets a soothing tone, there are strategic design choices that make a space feel more inviting<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n “An inviting home isn\u2019t about having perfectly matched items, it\u2019s about building interest and layers while showing who the homeowners and the people most important to them are,” says Jessica Brugger, the founder and principal designer of Dwell Well Design Co.\n<\/p>\n To create a thoughtfully edited and intentionally decorated home that greets guests with a warm welcome, here are the seven items interior designers say you should remove.\n<\/p>\n Harsh Lighting <\/p>\n “Lighting is often overlooked as purely practical, but it plays a huge role in how inviting a home feels,” Brugger says.\n<\/p>\n The designer shares that relying solely on overhead lighting can make spaces feel flat and harsh instead of warm and inviting. She recommends taking a layered approach to light fixtures<\/a> and incorporating table lamps, floor lamps, wall sconces, and subtle accent lighting for warmth and depth.\n<\/p>\n If hardwiring is not an option, Brugger shares an excellent alternative: high-quality rechargeable bulbs for scones and lamps.\n<\/p>\n “The goal is to create pools of light that make a room feel calm, comfortable, and human,” Brugger says.\n<\/p>\n Synthetic Materials <\/p>\n “We\u2019re encouraging our clients to swap out synthetic materials like quartz, acrylic, and vinyl for natural wood, stone, or glass,” says Carolyn Fife Bever, the principal designer and co-founder of Foundry House.\n<\/p>\n Natural materials have a timeless look and feel to them, and many only get better with time as they develop a unique patina. This swap creates a more inviting space, as the designer notes that it conveys a message of safety, allowing you to let your guard down and relax.\n<\/p>\n Perfectly Matched or Overly Themed Decor <\/p>\n A home filled with perfectly matched or overly themed decor feels impersonal, not inviting.\n<\/p>\n Instead of trying to match all your textiles and decorative accents, Brugger suggests inviting warmth and character in by focusing on fewer, better pieces with depth, variation, and personality.\n<\/p>\n The designer does this through mixing patterned pillows with solids<\/a> in warm linens or velvets, layering colors that aren’t necessarily an exact match, and swapping novelty or fleece throws for woven cotton, wool blends, and relaxed knits that invite touch.\n<\/p>\n Anything That Causes Visual and Literal Clutter <\/p>\n A cluttered space<\/a> is the antithesis of an inviting one, which is why Elizabeth Vergara, the CEO and founder of design-build firm Vergara Homes, recommends removing anything that causes visual and literal clutter.\n<\/p>\n “Things like too many decorative signs, too many pillows, too many candles or books on top of surfaces\u2014it can make your space feel overwhelming, which deters people from wanting to enter and enjoy themselves,” Vergara says.<\/p>\n Mass-Produced Art <\/p>\n Mass-produced art on the walls makes for a generic-looking space void of personality. To give it character and make it feel welcoming, curate a collection of unique, more personal pieces that reflect your taste and style.\n<\/p>\n