12 Must Have Home Accessories Interior Designers Swear By (And How to Use Them Right)

Ever wonder how interior designers make a home look stylish and inviting? The secret is in the finishing touches, those carefully chosen home accessories that tie a room together and reflect your personality. Home accessories may be the last things you add, but they have a huge impact on the overall vibe of your space. If you’re not sure where to start, we’ve gathered 12 must have home décor accents that interior designers swear by, and how to use each one right.

These ideas work for any house, whether you live in a modern city apartment or a traditional house in India, and you don’t need a big budget or renovation to get results.

Let’s dive in and transform your home with these designer approved home accessories!

1. Lush Indoor Plants (Bring Nature Inside)

Indoor plants are a go to accessory for designers to breathe life into any room. A touch of greenery instantly adds color, freshens the air, and makes your home feel more inviting. 

How to use: Choose easy care plants suited to your light conditions (snake plants and pothos are great for beginners). Place a large floor plant in an empty corner to enliven dead space, or put small succulents on shelves and coffee tables for pops of green. If real plants are hard to maintain, high quality faux plants can also give a refreshing effect.

2. Art and Wall Décor (Personalize Your Walls)

No designer leaves walls bare, wall art is essential to add character and tell a story. Whether it’s a vibrant painting, framed photographs, or traditional artwork, something on the walls instantly makes a space feel finished and uniquely yours. 

How to use: Hang art roughly at eye level (so it isn’t too high or low). A single large piece can be a bold focal point in a living room, whereas a grouping of smaller frames can enliven a hallway or staircase wall. The key is to fill those blank walls with art that speaks to you, it will transform the mood of the room and reflect your personality.

3. Throw Pillows and Cushions (Comfort + Style)

Throw pillows are the quickest way to refresh a room’s look. Designers love them because cushions instantly add color, pattern, and comfort to a sofa or bed. They make your seating feel inviting and can tie together different colors in your décor. 

How to use: Mix and match your pillows instead of using identical sets. Pick a color scheme and choose cushions in varying textures or patterns within that palette (e.g. mix a solid, a stripe, and a patterned cushion sharing a color). Use different sizes or shapes to create a layered, designer look.

4. Area Rugs (Define Your Space)

A well-chosen area rug really ties a room together. Rugs anchor your furniture, add warmth underfoot, and can bring in a new color or pattern. Designers swear by rugs to make a space feel cozy, a rug under your sofa set, for example, instantly defines the seating area. 

How to use: Size matters. Choose a rug large enough that at least the front legs of your sofas and chairs sit on it; this keeps the arrangement unified. If your room already has lots of patterns, opt for a neutral rug, but if the room is plain, a vibrant rug can be a stunning focal point.

5. Decorative Mirrors (Maximize Light & Space)

Mirrors are a classic designer trick to make a room feel brighter and larger. By reflecting light, a well placed mirror can amplify space and add sparkle to your décor. Plus, a stylish mirror with an eye catching frame doubles as wall art. 

How to use: Be strategic. A big mirror opposite a window bounces daylight around and brightens the room. A mirror above a console or sofa creates a pleasing focal point, just make sure it’s reflecting something attractive (not a cluttered corner). Always use proper wall hooks or anchors to securely hang heavy mirrors. A correctly positioned mirror will instantly enhance the light, depth, and openness of your space.

6. Ambient Lighting (Lamps for Cozy Corners)

Designers layer lighting to avoid relying on a single overhead light. Adding table lamps or floor lamps creates a soft, inviting glow that makes your home feel cozy in the evenings. Lamps themselves act as decor accents too, whether it’s a classic ceramic lamp or a sleek modern design, they enhance the style while lighting the room. 

How to use: Mix light sources at different heights. For example, in the living room place a floor lamp by the sofa and a table lamp on a side table to spread light evenly. In bedrooms, use bedside lamps for gentle lighting instead of harsh ceiling lights.

7. Coffee Table Books (Conversation Starters)

One accessory designers often use is the coffee table book. Those glossy hardcovers on your table aren’t just for show, they reflect your interests and add a pop of color to your décor. Displaying a couple of beautiful books instantly creates a focal point. 

How to use: Stack 2–3 large books on your coffee table. Choose topics you love for a personal touch. Keep the stack neat, or even place a small decor object on top for a bit of flair.

8. Decorative Trays (Style with Organization)

A decorative tray is a styling trick that also keeps things organized. Designers love using trays on a coffee table or ottoman to corral smaller items and create a polished vignette. 

How to use: Place an attractive tray on your table and group a few items on it, for instance, gather your TV remote and a candle on the tray. By containing items, a tray makes even random things look intentional and neat. Choose a tray that complements your decor.

9. Baskets and Decorative Storage (Stylish Organization)

To keep a home beautiful and clutter-free, designers use attractive storage like baskets and decorative boxes. These pieces hide your odds and ends while adding texture and warmth, for example, a woven jute basket brings a cozy, natural vibe to any room. 

How to use: Identify where clutter piles up (living room throws, kids’ toys, entryway items) and place a nice basket or bin there. A large basket beside the sofa can hold your blankets and cushions neatly. On shelves, use a couple of decorative boxes to tuck away things like chargers or papers so everything looks tidy. Functional storage like this keeps your space tidy and stylish at once.

10. Scented Candles & Fragrance (Set the Mood)

Designers know a home’s atmosphere isn’t just about looks, scent plays a big role too. A subtle fragrance from a scented candle or diffuser can make any room feel cozy and inviting, and candles also add a warm glow when lit. 

How to use: Pick a gentle scent you love (nothing too overpowering). Place a candle or diffuser in rooms where you relax or near the entrance so the fragrance welcomes you. In the evenings, light a candle on the coffee table or dining table to enhance the ambiance (always practice candle safety). If open flames aren’t practical, use reed diffusers or plugins for continuous fragrance without worry.

11. Decorative Vases & Bowls (Artful Accents)

Stylish vases and bowls are ideal accents for surfaces. A beautiful vase, even empty, can act like art on a shelf or table, adding visual interest. Fill it with fresh flowers or dried branches and you add a pop of color and life to the room. Decorative bowls are equally versatile, they can hold potpourri or simply stand as sculptural pieces. 

How to use: Display these pieces where they’ll be noticed. For example, a tall floor vase with pampas grass can revive an empty corner, while a handcrafted bowl can serve as a centerpiece on a coffee table or console. Choose designs that complement your overall decor style.

12. Personal Touches & Unique Pieces (Your Signature)

Finally, beyond the store bought decor, it’s the personal touches that truly make your home yours. The meaningful items, a vintage heirloom, a souvenir from travels, a piece of art you created, or a cherished family photo, give your space soul and tell your story. 

How to use: Curate, don’t clutter. Display a few favorite pieces rather than everything at once. For example, hang that one special painting or textile as a focal point in the living room, or dedicate a shelf to a small collection of souvenirs. Blend these mementos with your overall decor so they feel intentional. These unique touches transform a nicely decorated

room into a space that is uniquely you.

Let’s wrap this up! 

The great thing about these home accessories is how easily they can refresh your space without a major renovation. Even on a modest budget, a few well chosen accents can make a big difference. Keep these designer approved home accessories ideas in mind as you decorate and let your personality shine through. With the right mix of these essentials, your home will not only look stylish and cohesive, it will truly feel like your own cozy sanctuary.