Amber Lewis Thinks These 5 Design Details Are Criminally Underrated – and You Should Definitely Be Including Them in Your Home in 2026
From uniquely shaped windows to passementerie, here are the underappreciated design details that Amber Lewis has been loving recently
In the ever-changing world of interior design, there are countless design and decor details that fly under the radar, never getting the appreciation and attention they deserve. While these underrated details may not be as talked-about as popular interior design trends, they are essential to making a space feel fresh and one-of-a-kind.
For interior designer Amber Lewis, otherwise known as the queen of California cool style, there are a few lesser-appreciated design details that she considers fundamental for chic interiors. She shared her opinions in a recent Instagram post, explaining that these underrated design details are 'top notch'.
From architectural details that can give a space that 'wow' factor to little accent details that can feel like the cherry on top of a room, here are the five things that Amber Lewis finds underrated in interior design, and why you should consider giving them a go in your home this year.
1. Unique Windows and Stained Glass
Unique windows like this little round bedroom window are a fun detail to incorporate into the design of your home.
A square window? Snore. A rectangular window? How cliché. For Amber Lewis, an underrated detail in a home is all about an unexpected window shape or design.
'I love the idea of a triangle, a round oval, all the cool stained glass,' Amber explains in her video. 'How cool is it when you walk into a space, and there is a cool-shaped window? How unexpected? What a talking point,' she continues.
If you're in the midst of a home renovation and you're looking for ways to make your home more unique, think about incorporating a uniquely-shaped window to break up the typical rectangular windows. Or, consider installing a stained glass window for a characterful look. If it's not possible to make these significant architectural changes to your home, look to hang a stained glass panel like this Tiffany Style Hanging Window Panel, or a removable decal for the same charming appeal.
2. Butcher Block Countertops
You don't need to use wooden countertops all throughout your kitchen. Even just as the kitchen island surface, wood can add character to the space.
Stone countertops have been topping kitchen countertop trends for years, but Amber says it's wooden worktops she thinks are the more underrated choice, adding warmth and character.
'I actually think they're really useful, amazing, and cool,' Amber says of wooden butcher block countertops. '[Wood] is a great alternate material to all of the marble and all of the other materials that we get a little fatigued by,' the designer explains.
Wood is always a good idea in a kitchen; it softens and warms this very practical space, adding natural texture to a room that's, by nature, usually filled with sleek finishes and clean lines. Butcher's block countertops create a contrast that stone often does not.
Style a kitchen vignette on this rustic, vintage-inspired board from Amber's brand, Shoppe. Its grain and natural texture can add character to any spot on your countertop.
If you can't install butcher block countertops in your home, this cutting board is the next best thing. It's thick and durable – the perfect surface for prepping meals.
Even the smallest wood details can add some warmth to your kitchen, like this wooden salt cellar. If you want to create a matching wood look on your countertop, check out the entire Walnut Finish Collection from Williams Sonoma.
3. Passementerie
Frills on the edges of furniture, decor, and curtains count as passementerie. Although not needed, they add character and stylish appeal.
Have you heard of passementerie? It's a design accent that includes everything from tassels and fringe to borders and braids. These decorative adornments enhance whatever it is to which they're added, and so perfect for making anything feel more whimsical. And according to Amber, they're highly underrated.
The trend for trim details in interior design can add a little extra style to any room in your house. Amber suggests adding decorative trim to drapery or even little tassels to door knobs to tap into this trend. You can even look for furniture with passementerie details pre-attached, like a fringe accent chair or a tasseled lamp. 'I just think it's understated and underrated,' Amber says of passementerie details. They can help your home look chic, stylish, and extra special in no time.
The twisted tassels at the bottom of this stool add such sophisticated flair to its overall look. Style this anywhere, and it's bound to make the room look more chic.
This lamp takes passementerie to the next level. It's dramatic, yet oh-so chic. This lamp and its allover tassel trim is sure to become a talking point in your home.
Perfect for a doorknob, a cabinet pull, or any other knob in your home, this tassel is a fun little passementerie detail that's both charming and stylish.
4. Polished Nickel and Pewter
Polished nickel is a common bathroom finish for good reason – its crisp and shiny effect can make this utilitarian room look much more appealing.
'I love unlacquered brass and I will continue to use it, but I love the idea of a little bit of a different finish,' Amber explains as she introduces the next design detail that she finds underrated: polished nickel and pewter.
As the cooler-toned alternative to brass, polished nickel and pewter are metallic finishes that feel very elevated, sophisticated, and simply chic. Amber goes so far as to describe these finishes as the 'cooler, classier sister to unlacquered brass.' She's not the only interior designer to express appreciation for these finishes, either – both Molly Kidd and Shea McGee have declared their growing appreciation for polished nickel and pewter in 2026, too.
While it's common to see these finishes in the form of kitchen or bathroom hardware, you can also find decorative details like lamps, catchall bowls, and trays in polished nickel and pewter. Regardless of how you bring these finishes into your home, they're sure to add a level of cool and classy elegance to your design scheme.
Perfect for your bathroom vanity, this pewter tray can serve as a spot to hold your perfumes, jewelry, or any other little trinkets. Its design is so sleek and elegant – just what you need to elevate the space.
Between the scallop details and the pewter finish on its base, this table lamp is truly a work of art. It's bound to light up any room with sophisticated style.
This catchall dish can enhance your coffee table styling in no time with its sleek nickel finish. Even its elevated design adds to its overall appeal.
5. Chik Blinds and Drapery
If your windows allow for two treatments to cover them, consider Amber's tip to layer chik blinds with drapes. If not, consider mounting free-flowing drapes alone for a clean, breezy look.
Amber is all in on layering window treatments in 2026, stating that it's a highly underrated design idea. Specifically, Amber mentions layering chik blinds with drapes – the former being a bamboo, roll-up style of window covering, and the latter being a soft, breezy, free-flowing overlay.
'Something about the chik and the woven, beautiful rolling blinds mixed with the drapery is so chic and so stunning,' the designer says. 'It just feels really considered and thoughtful.' In fact, Amber has tried out this exact pairing in one of the bedrooms of her Oak Haven project. Together, these window treatments create a rich, layered look that adds immense character to the entire room.
According to Amber, window treatments have the potential to add textural charm to a room – especially when they're layered. 'Don't be afraid to layer it up!' she remarks.
These woven blinds can add a great deal of texture to any room. Pair them with drapery in front and they'll create a stylishly layered look.
Made from soft cotton, these curtains can add some light, free-flowing elegance to any room. Style them in front of a window with chik blinds for rich textural appeal.
These chik blinds feature a unique, cross-thread pattern which creates a stylish design across its surface. For an elevated, layered look, mount them to a window frame with light drapery in front.
If you're looking for ways to make your home feel fresh and unique in 2026, these underrated design ideas from Amber Lewis are exactly where to start. And while you're at it, you may as well take into consideration the decor details that designers find overrated in 2026. This way, you can develop a home that feels cool, fresh, and different rather than dated.
