20 Things To Do To Make Your Home So Much Nicer

Everyone deserves a space that feels like a sanctuary after a long day. Transforming your home into a nicer place doesn’t always require expensive renovations or professional help.

With a few simple changes and creative touches, you can dramatically improve the comfort, functionality, and beauty of your living space.

1. Declutter Your Surfaces

Nothing creates visual chaos faster than cluttered countertops and tables. Take fifteen minutes each evening to reset your spaces, putting items back where they belong.

Consider adopting the one-in-one-out rule for new purchases to maintain your progress. The mental clarity you’ll gain from tidy surfaces is worth every minute spent organizing!

2. Add Indoor Plants

Bringing nature indoors instantly elevates any space. Even those without green thumbs can find low-maintenance options like snake plants, pothos, or ZZ plants that thrive with minimal attention.

Plants don’t just look beautiful—they improve air quality and boost your mood. Place them strategically near windows or as statement pieces in corners that need a touch of life.

3. Upgrade Your Lighting

Harsh overhead lighting can make even the most beautiful room feel like an interrogation chamber. Try layering different light sources instead—table lamps, floor lamps, and wall sconces create depth and warmth.

Warm-toned bulbs (2700-3000K) cast a flattering glow that makes everyone and everything look better. Smart bulbs offer the flexibility to adjust brightness and color temperature throughout the day.

4. Create a Dedicated Entryway

First impressions matter! Even in small spaces, you can carve out a functional entry zone with hooks for coats, a small bench, and a designated spot for keys and mail.

This simple organization prevents the dreaded “where are my keys?” panic and stops clutter from migrating throughout your home. A mirror in this area serves double duty—checking your appearance and visually expanding the space.

5. Update Cabinet Hardware

You’d be amazed how swapping out dated knobs and pulls can transform your kitchen or bathroom. This weekend project requires minimal tools but delivers maximum impact.

Choose finishes that complement your existing fixtures—brushed brass, matte black, or polished nickel are timeless options. Keep the style consistent throughout the space for a cohesive, designer-approved look that elevates the entire room.

6. Hang Artwork Properly

Art displayed at the wrong height is a common decorating mistake that’s easy to fix. The center of your artwork should hang at eye level, approximately 57-60 inches from the floor.

When grouping pieces, treat the entire arrangement as one unit. Don’t be afraid to mix frames and styles—curated imperfection often looks more interesting than perfect matching. Personal photos and children’s artwork can be just as impactful as expensive pieces.

7. Incorporate Textiles with Texture

Fuzzy throws, nubby pillows, and woven baskets add dimension that flat surfaces alone can’t achieve. Mix materials like cotton, wool, velvet, and jute for a rich sensory experience.

Changing textiles seasonally is an affordable refresh—lighter linens for summer, chunky knits for winter. This simple swap acknowledges the changing seasons and keeps your space feeling current without major investments.

8. Create Conversation Areas

Furniture pushed against walls creates an awkward bowling alley effect in many homes. Pull seating away to form intimate conversation groupings where people can comfortably chat.

Ideally, seats should be no more than 8 feet apart for easy conversation. A coffee table or ottoman at the center gives everyone a place to set drinks. This arrangement instantly makes your home more welcoming for both family time and entertaining.

9. Establish Drop Zones

Mysterious piles of stuff materialize when items lack a designated home. Creating specific drop zones—mail sorters, charging stations, backpack hooks—prevents this common household plague.

The key is making these zones both functional and accessible. If your system requires too many steps, family members won’t use it. Attractive baskets and organizers make practical solutions feel intentional rather than merely utilitarian.

10. Deep Clean Forgotten Areas

Certain spots escape regular cleaning routines but make a huge difference once addressed. Baseboards, light fixtures, window tracks, and under furniture are prime culprits.

Set a timer for just 15 minutes and tackle one forgotten zone. You’ll be shocked at how much fresher your home feels afterward! This isn’t about perfectionism—it’s about removing those subtle layers of grime that dull your space without you realizing it.

11. Style Your Bookshelves

Bookshelves should balance function and beauty rather than serving as mere storage. Try arranging books both vertically and horizontally, leaving some breathing room between groupings.

Incorporate decorative objects, plants, or framed photos among the books. The designer secret is the 60/30/10 rule—60% books, 30% accessories, and 10% empty space. This approach creates visual interest while maintaining an uncluttered appearance.

12. Upgrade Your Shower Experience

A luxurious shower doesn’t require a complete bathroom renovation. Replacing your basic showerhead with a rainfall or high-pressure model can transform your daily routine into a spa-like experience.

Add a curved shower rod for more elbow room and fresh towels folded hotel-style. These small upgrades create everyday luxury moments that elevate your home’s comfort factor without breaking the bank.

13. Create a Signature Scent

Homes with a pleasant, consistent fragrance feel instantly more welcoming. Consider reed diffusers, candles, or essential oil diffusers placed strategically throughout your space.

Choose scents that complement each other rather than competing. Citrus and herbs work well in kitchens, while lavender or sandalwood create calm in bedrooms. The right scent becomes part of your home’s identity, triggering positive emotions whenever you walk through the door.

14. Hide Unsightly Cords

Tangled cords create visual chaos that subtly stresses us out. Cord management solutions like cable covers, cord clips, and cable boxes are inexpensive fixes for this modern eyesore.

For entertainment centers, try cord covers that can be painted to match your wall. Behind desks, simple cord clips keep everything tidy. These small adjustments dramatically improve the polished appearance of tech-heavy areas.

15. Incorporate Natural Elements

Humans instinctively connect with natural materials. Introducing wood, stone, rattan, or clay items creates warmth that manufactured materials can’t replicate.

Even small touches make a difference—a wooden bowl, stone coasters, or a jute rug. These elements ground your space and create visual harmony. The contrast between smooth and rough textures adds depth that makes your home feel thoughtfully designed rather than straight from a catalog.

16. Designate a Tech-Free Zone

Constant connectivity takes a toll on our wellbeing. Creating at least one screen-free area in your home provides a mental reset space where conversation and relaxation take priority.

Fill this zone with things that bring joy—books, comfortable seating, plants, or games. You’ll be surprised how quickly this becomes everyone’s favorite spot. The absence of digital distractions allows for deeper connections with both your space and the people in it.

17. Update Your Bathroom Linens

Few things feel more luxurious than wrapping yourself in a plush, fresh towel. Replace dingy, thin towels with new ones in a coordinating color scheme for an instant bathroom upgrade.

Consider adding a memory foam bath mat for extra comfort underfoot. These simple textile refreshes create a hotel-like experience without renovations. White towels can be bleached to maintain their crisp appearance, making them a practical luxury.

18. Maximize Natural Light

Heavy window treatments or poorly placed furniture can block precious daylight. Pull curtains fully open during the day and trim any outdoor branches that block windows.

Strategic mirror placement opposite windows reflects light deeper into rooms. Clean your windows inside and out—you’d be amazed how much more light filters through spotless glass! These simple adjustments make spaces feel larger, brighter, and more welcoming.

19. Create Meaningful Displays

Generic decor can’t compare to items that tell your story. Curate small vignettes of meaningful objects—vacation souvenirs, family heirlooms, or hobby-related collections—to personalize your space.

Group items with visual connections like color, material, or theme. Odd numbers (groups of three or five) typically look more dynamic than even-numbered groupings. These personal touches transform a house into a home that authentically represents your life journey.

20. Establish a Command Center

Family chaos diminishes when everyone knows where to find important information. A dedicated command center with a calendar, message board, and file system keeps everyone on the same page.

Location matters—choose a spot where family members naturally pass by daily. Even in digital-heavy households, physical reminders remain powerful organizational tools. This simple system prevents missed appointments, lost permission slips, and the dreaded “but nobody told me!” complaints.