How can you make a home feel 'more interesting'? Designer Jordan Samson has 3 easy tips

From decorating with vintage to unexpected wallpaper decor, these ideas will instantly elevate your home

bathroom with blue striped wallpaper, living room with gallery wall, living room with vintage furniture
(Image credit: BC Designs, Julie Soefer, Gieves Anderson/JAM)

Beyond the main design decisions that inform the overall style of a space, smaller decor upgrades can go a long way in elevating the look. 

From adding an unexpected splash of color to incorporating a standout piece of furniture, finishing a room's decor with a slightly playful home decor idea can really elevate your space with design interest. 

Interior designer Jordan Samson is one expert to explore this idea, taking to Instagram to share a video in which he shares simple ways to 'make your space feel just a little bit more interesting.' Below, we've rounded up our three favorite ideas, to give you some inspiration to trial them in your own home. 

1. Add a small dose of accent wallpaper

blue stripe wallpaper in a traditional bathroom with checkerboard floor tiles and freestanding tub

(Image credit: BC Designs)

According to Jordan, adding even just a small amount of accent wallpaper can be a great way to add interest to your home. 'Wallpaper is expensive, it can be busy and overwhelming for some people, so instead of doing an entire room, you can do a niche – the interior of a closet or cabinetry, or even just your ceiling,' the designer suggests.

This works especially well in rooms that are otherwise pared back in terms of decor style. By adding a small amount of wallpaper in a pattern and color that reflects your interior design style, you can add instant design interest without overwhelming the space. 

2. Create a gallery wall

yellow sofa and gallery wall with antique chest and rug

(Image credit: Julie Soefer)

Another expert-suggested way of adding interest to your home is to create a gallery wall. 'This is a great way to add some personality and fill some blank walls while you're at it,' says Jordan.

There are no real rules to follow when it comes to creating a gallery wall. Whether you want to follow a formulaic approach for a balanced look or an experimental one with lots of mismatched styles of frames, it's really up to you. Whichever style you go for, you can be sure that a gallery wall can act as a focal point in any room and is an effective way of reflecting your personality through decorating with art

3. Decorate with vintage

A light wooden console and a vintage dining chair with light green cushions

(Image credit: Gieves Anderson / JAM)

You should never underestimate the impact that decorating with vintage can add to your home decor. A vintage piece of furniture holds unique charm and can be a great way to add character and depth. The most trying part of decorating with vintage can often be finding the right piece, and so to help make the process easier, we asked designers to round up where to buy vintage furniture online

'Whether just an object, a rug, or a lamp, I think there is space for pre-loved pieces in any design style,' says Jordan. 'They add so much soul to a space that you just won’t get with something new.'


These three ideas are relevant to all styles of decorating. If you're looking to elevate your space, put your own spin on Jordan's ideas for a personal decor scheme that feels full of interest. 

Paint & Color Editor

Emily is H&G's Paint & Color Editor, covering all things color across interior design and home decor. She joined the team in the summer of 2023, having studied Fashion Communication at university before working in various creative roles ahead of making the leap into interiors. She lives in Glasgow where she loves admiring the city's architecture, frequenting her favorite coffee spots, and sourcing vintage furniture for her tenement apartment. Emily's interior style is inspired by the simplicity of midcentury design, mixed with more playful modern pieces that inject small (but bold) doses of color.