How can you make sure your home is memorable? 9 ways to create head-turning, unforgettable spaces

A memorable home is more than just a functional space; it’s a space that tells a story. Our interiors aren't simply spaces to work, eat, sleep, repeat; they are an extension of our personality – places to express ourselves and surround ourselves with things that bring us joy.

When creating a memorable home, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach; what makes a home memorable will vary from person to person. For those who love to decorate boldly, vibrant color combinations and flamboyant wall coverings are all guaranteed to bring wow-factor and create a talking point.

That said, memorable doesn't have to mean maximalist. Sometimes less is more; indeed, minimalist spaces can command equal attention when designed well. In addition to color and pattern, architectural features can have a role to play, as can lighting and furniture choices. Artwork, too, can transform a room, while carefully curated collectibles, handcrafted and meaningful items, will all add unique character to a space.

Really, creating a memorable home is about designing a home that feels like you. So, whether you’re embarking on a complete redesign or simply want to bring more personality to an existing space, you’re in the right place, as we’ve rounded up an array of head-turning schemes and ideas to inspire, alongside some handy tips from top designers.

1. Add a whimsical wall mural

Exotic wall murals and wallpapers are a fabulous way to create magical, memorable spaces. Decorated in a beautiful hand-painted mural from De Gournay, this dining room instantly transports guests to an exuberant tropical jungle and makes for a memorable dinner setting.

To dial up the glamour, the designer, Courtnay Tartt Elias, founder of Creative Tonic Design, added a gloss ceiling and an elaborate chandelier, along with a luxurious antique table. Not only does this mural make a great talking point, it also holds personal significance for the owners, conjuring happy memories of travel and holidays.

'To make a home genuinely memorable, I like to start by getting to know the client on a deeper level – asking about their favorite travel destinations, meaningful memories, and even quirky family obsessions,' says Courtnay. 'This client loved Palm Beach and had an affinity for monkeys, so we worked with de Gournay wallpaper to customize and personalize details. It’s all about telling their story – that’s when a space becomes truly unforgettable!'

2. Embrace bold color combinations

Color is by far the easiest way to create instant impact in a room, and embracing contrasting colors within the same space will immediately command attention. When choosing a head-turning palette for a colorful room, take inspiration from the color wheel and go for two tones that sit opposite each other, as done here with a peach and green combination.

‘Color is a wonderful way to highlight or incorporate architectural details into your design schemes. Perhaps the bravest approach is combining contrasting colors, by using color blocks of contrasting mid-strength colors to create a dynamic and bold scheme,’ says Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene. Alternatively, ‘a tonal color combination, perhaps using a deeper shade of the same color, or a complementary color will create a softer, more harmonious interior.’

‘The elegant warm stone, Split Pink is a versatile shade that will radiate peachy warmth when paired with contrasting greens. Use above paneling in Harley Green and Livid to create a dynamic contrast that is both sophisticated and elegant.’

3. Go for a color drench

If you're looking to create a lasting impression, then you can't go wrong with a color-drenched scheme. Dark colors work particularly well in living rooms and snug rooms where you want to create an intimate feel, as demonstrated in this luxury living room by Storie Collective.

'We wanted this space to feel cocooned and intimate, with a sense of quiet luxury. The rich, saturated blue immediately creates mood, and the velvet wallcovering from Phillip Jeffries enhances that with its soft texture and subtle sheen,’ explains Sara Swabb, founder of Storie Collective. ‘It gently reflects light in a way that gives the walls depth and movement, especially in the evening, which wouldn’t be possible with flat paint alone. It’s both inviting and dramatic, which felt right for a room meant for retreat.’

Sometimes, the technique can actually help make small living rooms feel bigger, as the continuous use of color blurs boundaries between the walls and floor, and distracts from the size and shape of the room.

4. Layer patterned fabrics for a maximalist look

For a memorable, maximalist home, lean into layers and combine patterned fabrics in a range of designs and scales. If you’re a fan of English country interiors, then chintz and stripes are a go-to pairing.

'With florals and stripes, the trick is balancing the boldness of both designs while keeping the overall look cohesive. Start by picking one of the patterns to be the focus,’ says fabric designer Cinny. Here, Raine floral chintz is the star of the show, used generously on the curtains and bed canopy, while Arthur stripe makes the perfect coordinate. ‘A stripe helps make the room feel more modern and less fussy. Both these designs are equally bold, but the coordinating color palette helps tie them together and avoids them clashing.’

To dial up the look further still, embrace frills, ruffles and trims over curtains and soft furnishings for a flamboyant finishing touch. ‘I always tell clients not to be afraid of layers. Let the curtains be full, choose gathered silk lampshades for a soft, warm glow, and don’t forget the details like trims, braids, and little flourishes,’ says Henriette von Stockhausen. ‘Also include something unexpected, like a quirky object or a pop of color, to stop the space from feeling too 'done' or predictable.’

5. Embrace muted maximalism

If you’re cautious about decorating with color then fear not, as you don’t need to rely on bold hues to create a memorable home. Neutral tones can have just as much impact, as this scheme proves. In this powder room Sara Swabb of Storie Collective has channeled neutral maximalism by combining a leafy wallpaper by Martha Armitage with a striking marble sink, resulting in a space bursting with individuality.

‘A memorable home feels deeply personal and a little unexpected. I always encourage clients to choose one or two bold gestures in a space – maybe it’s a large-scale wallpaper in a powder room, a room cocooned in the same color, fabric or texture on the walls, or a quirky family heirloom on display. Even in neutral palettes, contrast in materiality or patina creates a lasting impact, such as in this project,’ explains Sara Swabb.

6. Create a statement ceiling

For so long, ceilings were ignored in interior design, but now they are being rediscovered as a fifth wall with many designers treating them as a canvas for creative paint effects and wallpapers. Whether teamed with bold walls as part of a maximalist interior or to make a talking point in a neutral room, decorative ceiling ideas are a great way to make a home more memorable. They can also serve as an optical device, helping to lead the eye upwards.

‘This room, which we call the den, is meant for lounging, TV watching, and kids playing video games, but it's open to the rest of the house, so we needed a way to make it feel cozy and intimate. Adding the wallpaper on the ceiling gives it a cocooned feel and adds pattern in an otherwise patternless room,’ says Corine Maggio, founder of CM Natural Designs. ‘The orange suede sofa was the perfect color to complement the blue in the drapery, and it also ties in the wallpaper, which has small bits of citrus notes in the flowers and butterfly wings.’

7. Hang personal artwork

Whether it’s a large piece above a sofa or a series of works hung as a gallery wall, thoughtfully chosen artwork, carefully framed and displayed, can make a room more memorable. When it comes to decorating with art, there are different approaches to take, explains interior designer, Henriette von Stockhausen.

‘Sometimes the client’s existing collection becomes the natural starting point, helping to define the color scheme or the overall vibe of a space. I love beginning with art, it offers such insight into a client’s personality, tastes, humour, and even their appetite for risk or restraint. It’s a great window into who they are,’ says Henriette von Stockhausen, founder of VSP Interiors. ‘Ideally, we begin with the art, but it’s not always practical to have the perfect piece lined up for every room from the outset. In those cases, we source artwork that complements the finished scheme.’

8. Curate a display of meaningful possessions and collectibles

Filling your interiors with things you love is what really puts the heart and soul into a home and makes it more memorable. Be it decorative objet d'art, family photos, handcrafted pieces, or antique collectibles, these pieces have stories to tell and help make your space unique.

Built-in shelving makes the perfect space to display collectibles, or you could opt for an antique dresser for extra character and charm, as shown here in the home of Corine Maggio, interior designer and founder of CM Natural Designs.

'Layering things that are personal to you: travel souvenirs, heirloom pieces, and things that show your hobbies and interests. These kinds of things are unique to you and make your home more meaningful,' says Corine Maggio.

'These shelves are filled with pieces that are beautiful, functional, and deeply personal. There’s a jar of old dominoes we found at an antique street fair. A glass container holds personalized matches from our wedding, alongside a surprisingly heavy piece of the Golden Gate Bridge and a folded book I bought at my favorite coffee shop in San Diego, which also sold antiques. There are many books that have shaped us, and special coffee table books gifted or collected over the years.'

9. Create a feature floor

Sometimes bold wall treatments can be overpowering. If you prefer to keep a space neutral, but are still keen to inject personality to make a room more memorable, then a feature floor makes a great alternative. Whether it’s patterned floor tiles or a statement rug, making an impact underfoot is a clever way to create quiet drama. Here, Alexandra Azat, founder of Plaster & Patina, chose patterned floor tiles to bring life to this neutral kitchen.

'Our absolute favorite way to create a memorable space is through a custom, unique floor pattern,' says Alexandra Azat. 'Although we are all used to seeing wallpaper, it isn't the norm to have access to creating a completely customized, interesting floor. We created this completely customized encaustic floor here for this old Spanish home, creating a space that feels nostalgic yet incredibly updated and bespoke.'

When it comes to how to make a home memorable, there's no blueprint. Often, the most memorable homes are those that have unique charm and aptly reflect the personality of their owners. The key is to have fun and fill your home with the things you love.

'A memorable home does not shy away from showing the true personality of the homeowner,' says Naomi Dresser, principal designer and founder of Fig St. Design. 'Nothing shows the layers of life better than an authentic art collection, bold wallpaper patterns, and sentimental trinkets collected over the years.'