'Your home should be a beautiful and functional sanctuary' – celebrity interior designer Brigette Romanek on her rules for creating chic yet cozy spaces

When you walk into a room with design that is thoughtfully layered with textures, colors, and personal touches, it immediately feels like home. It’s like the room is hugging you, helping to reduce stress and ground you. I love creating spaces that are a love letter to yourself and make you feel at peace.

A cozy home blends textures, colors, and personal artifacts. Soft furnishings, layered rugs, curated art, and lighting all play a part. It’s about creating a space that serves its purpose while also being a joy to be in. When taking on projects at Romanek Design Studio, I always ask myself, ‘How do I want people to feel when they walk into this room?’ and design from there.

I love a mix of paint and wallpaper. White walls are classic because they provide a fresh canvas, but I also adore bold wallpapers and rich colors for depth and interest. I’ve recently used lavender and clay-inspired tones, which can add subtle sophistication to any space.

Flooring is crucial for setting the tone. Wood is warm and versatile, stone can be beautiful in more formal spaces, and carpet has a cozy, inviting feel. Layering rugs on top of carpet can add extra interest.

Curtains frame windows and add a touch of elegance. They also help with acoustics and make a room feel cozier. I use sheer curtains in some schemes to let in natural light while providing a sense of enclosure. Heavy drapes bring a richer feel, enveloping you when you want to keep more natural light out.

Lighting is everything. I use a mix of table lamps, floor lamps, and overhead options to create different moods. Materials like brass, glass, and fabric shades can add warmth and style. Layered lighting allows flexibility and enhances the room’s textures and colors, creating depth and highlighting different areas or features. The proper lighting can make a space feel inviting, completely transforming it.

Furniture should serve its function while being a pleasure to look at and use. Low-profile designs keep the space open and airy, while unique shapes and quality materials add interest and sophistication. Combining modern, clean lines with more traditional or eclectic pieces creates a sense of balance.

Well-chosen artworks inject emotion and personality. Sometimes, a piece of art will be the first thing I select for a room, and then I’ll build everything off it as an anchor. Sometimes I’ll choose art based on its ability to enhance the overall design through color, form, or subject matter. It’s important that the piece feels connected to the space and the people who live there.

I believe in mixing high and low elements – a beautiful, expensive piece next to a flea-market find. It’s about creating a narrative with your decor, where every item has a story. A space does not need to have items of high value to be beautiful; it’s about how these pieces interact with each other and how they make you feel.

Little details like books, candles, and plants add life and warmth to a space and personal mementos make a space feel lived-in and cherished. Those personal touches make a home feel uniquely yours. Your home should be a beautiful and functional sanctuary – a place to unwind and be yourself, surrounded by beauty and things that bring you joy.