Sign in
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.

Want a home that feels calming, comfortable and truly yours? Here’s how to get the interior design right

Want to design a home that feels like you? From calming colours to natural light, here’s how to create a space that feels good to live in.

Published on: Sep 18, 2026, 17:14:09 IST
Share
Share via
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
Copy link
  • copy link

Our Picks

FAQs

Our Picks

ProductRatingPrice

Harold Electricals Brillare Rotatable Hanging Light Suitable for Bedroom, Living Room-AC,AcrylicView Details...

...

Divine Trends Modern Arc Floor Lamp with Adjustable Shade 6Ft Height with 12 inches Off White Drum Lampshade Pack of 1 - Led Bulb Included (Brass Antique)View Details...

...

Divine Trends Vintage Curve Brass Antique Finish Retro Floor Lamp Standing Adjustable, Moveable Dome Shade and Neck to Focus Light, Reading Task Lamp Pack of 1 LED, Incandescant, CFL, Smart BulbsView Details...

...

Amazon Basics Multi-Purpose Organizer | Modular Storage Box for Clothes, Kitchen, Bedroom & Living Room | Stackable Rack, Space-Saving Wardrobe Cabinet (Off White), 4 Piece, 33LX38WX27H cmView Details...

₹2,199

...

Amazon Basics Slim Rolling Storage Rack – 3-Tiered Shelf Plastic Slide-Out Organizer | Space-Saving, Multipurpose | for Kitchen, Bathroom, Laundry, Pantry & Utility Storage | Floor Standing | WhiteView Details...

₹829

...
View More...
research icon

Research-Backed Choices

Every product we recommend is chosen through a combination of Primary Research and Secondary Research.

How to design a home that feels better (Pinterest)
How to design a home that feels better (Pinterest)
Ishika Narang

Ishika Narang is a Multimedia Writer at the Hindustan Times, with over three years of experience in digital journalism, specialising in health, lifestyle, beauty, and consumer-focused reporting. Her primary coverage areas include evidence-based health journalism, preventive care, wellness trends, and affiliate-driven consumer guides tailored for digital audiences. She began her professional journey in digital media, where she developed expertise in multimedia storytelling and platform-optimised editorial strategies. Over the years, she has worked with reputed organisations such as Park+, Jagran, and Wavel.ai, steadily building credibility in health and consumer journalism. Her work reflects a strong progression in editorial responsibility, combining research-backed reporting with audience-focused content formats. At Hindustan Times, she produces in-depth health and lifestyle features, expert-led explainers, and data-informed consumer stories. She also focuses extensively on affiliate articles, creating well-researched buying guides, product comparisons, and recommendation-based content that balances commercial intent with editorial integrity. Alongside writing, she conceptualises and manages social media storytelling, ensuring content is informative, engaging, and optimised for platform-specific consumption. Her subject expertise includes preventive healthcare, nutrition, supplements, women’s health, beauty trends, consumer awareness, and affiliate commerce content. She integrates expert consultations, peer-reviewed research, verified product analysis, and transparent sourcing. Her strengths lie in evidence-based storytelling, simplifying complex information, and producing reader-first affiliate content that prioritises trust and value. Ishika holds a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) in Marketing from Guru Gobind Indraprastha University, which enhances her understanding of consumer behaviour, digital commerce, and audience engagement, skills that complement her specialisation in consumer and affiliate journalism. She is committed to ethical reporting, transparent affiliate disclosures, rigorous fact-checking, and maintaining editorial credibility, ensuring every story upholds reader trust and journalistic standards.

Read moreRead less

What do we expect when we come home after a hectic day? Peace, right? But what if your home does not quite give you that feeling? If the interiors feel too cluttered, the colours don't suit you, or the layout makes everyday life harder, your surroundings can start feeling more overwhelming than relaxing. I feel our environment does affect the way we feel. A messy room can leave your mind feeling just as cluttered, while a clean, thoughtfully designed space can bring a sense of calm. And making a house feel like home does not mean filling every corner with furniture or decor. Sometimes, a few personalised touches that reflect who you are and make everyday life easier can do much more.

According to Priyanka Sinha, Founder of The Opulence Interior Design Studio, designing a home should go beyond following the latest trends. The focus should be on creating spaces that feel comfortable, functional and connected to the people living in them.

Start by adding colours

The paint colours you choose for your home decor have a significant impact on the overall atmosphere of your space. Rather than following fleeting social media trends, select shades that truly resonate with your personal style. If you want your home to feel like a peaceful sanctuary, opt for neutral tones. According to Sinha, softer shades such as beige, brown, green and white can create a sense of harmony and balance in a home. For example, a cool beige can make a room appear more spacious while maintaining an understated elegance. Ultimately, choosing a colour simply because it's trending may not make your home feel uniquely yours.

Get closer to nature

Love the greenery and want to experience that indoors? Natural elements can also make a home feel more comfortable and grounded. Wooden furniture, stone, natural textiles, varied textures, and indoor plants can add warmth while creating a stronger visual connection with nature. For people living in busy cities, greenery can be particularly useful in making an indoor space feel fresher. You do not necessarily need to turn your home into an indoor garden. A few well-placed plants, wooden elements or natural-textured furnishings can introduce these details without overwhelming the room.

Add a lighting element too

The type of light you use can influence how a room looks. Natural light, on the other hand, helps make your room feel spacious and airy, while artificial light adds warmth. You can add ceiling fixtures for general illumination, while pendant lights, table lamps, floor lamps, and accent lights are better for specific areas.

Loading Suggestions...
Loading Suggestions...
Loading Suggestions...
Loading Suggestions...

Storage organisers do play their role

As mentioned earlier, a clutter-free room can feel easier to manage and more comfortable to live in. That is why proper storage organisers are needed. Thoughtful storage units can make frequently used items easy to reach while keeping the space clean. Built-in units, storage furniture, and a well-planned layout can make it easier to maintain an orderly home without compromising its appearance.

Loading Suggestions...
Loading Suggestions...
Loading Suggestions...
Loading Suggestions...

Comfort should come before appearance

A beautiful home also needs to be comfortable to use. A sofa may look striking, but if it is uncomfortable to sit on, it is unlikely to improve everyday living. Similarly, a stylish bed needs to provide a restful place to sleep, while a dining table should suit how a family actually uses it. This is why functionality should be considered alongside aesthetics when choosing furniture. The goal is not to sacrifice style for practicality. Instead, the two can work together. Furniture, lighting and layouts should look good while also supporting the activities that take place in the room.

Create zones for different moods and activities

Homes often need to support several activities throughout the day. The same space may be used for working, reading, relaxing, eating, entertaining guests, or spending time with family. Creating small zones can help a home adapt to these changing needs. A reading corner can offer a quieter place to unwind, while a dedicated work area can help separate work from relaxation. An open area can still remain available for family gatherings and conversations. This does not necessarily require a large home.

A home should work for the people living in it

The idea of well-being in interior design does not necessarily mean filling a home with expensive furniture or following a particular aesthetic. It can be as simple as choosing colours you enjoy, allowing more natural light into the room, bringing in elements of nature, reducing clutter, and making sure furniture is comfortable. Most importantly, a home should be like the people who live in it.

As Priyanka Sinha's input suggests, good interior design is not only about how a space looks in photographs. It is also about how comfortably it works in everyday life. When colour, lighting, storage, comfort and personalisation come together, the result can be a home that feels more welcoming and easier to live in.

A home that feels good to live in does not need to follow every interior trend or be filled with expensive decor. The key is to create a space that reflects your personality while making everyday life more comfortable and functional. From choosing calming colours and bringing in natural elements to improving lighting, reducing clutter and creating purposeful zones, small design decisions can make a meaningful difference.

Frequently Asked Questions:
Colour, lighting, and home decor items do make a difference. It can influence in terms of offering the comfort that feels like home.
Soft and neutral colours.
A proper storage organiser can make your home feel less cluttered and well organised.

Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.

Explore the latest Lifestyle News on health, fashion, travel, relationships, food and festivals. Find useful tips, expert advice, trends and inspiring stories for everyday living.