Designing a home is more than just choosing furniture and paint colors—it’s about creating a space that feels uniquely yours. Here are ten surprising design tips that can make a big impact.

1. Mix, Don’t Match

Contrary to what you might think, a perfectly matched set of furniture can make a space feel stale. Instead, mix different materials, finishes, and styles to add depth and personality. Think sleek modern sofa with a vintage wooden coffee table.

2. Paint the Ceiling

Most people focus on wall colors, but don’t forget about the “fifth wall.” A subtle, soft color or even a bold statement wallpaper on the ceiling can bring depth and character into a room.

3. Use Oversized Lighting

When in doubt, go bigger with your light fixtures. Large pendants, chandeliers, or oversized table lamps create an eye-catching focal point and add a touch of luxury. Proper lighting can make a room feel intentional and well-designed.

4. Layer Your Textures

Layering takes a room from “meh” to “ahh.” Mix materials like wood, metal, glass, and textiles to create a warm and inviting space. Think of pairing a leather chair with a soft knit throw or a marble tabletop with rustic wood accents.

5. Add Unexpected Pops of Color

If your current space is all neutrals, experiment with small bursts of color that adds energy. Try incorporating a bright accent chair, colorful artwork, or a bold rug to keep the space dynamic without overwhelming it.

6. Hang Curtains Higher and Wider

Okay, this one is not all that surprising – If you want to make your windows look larger, mount your curtains closer to the ceiling and extend the rod past the window frame. This creates the illusion of taller ceilings and bigger windows, making your space feel grander. Guaranteed results!

7. Incorporate Statement Art

It happens ALL. THE. TIME. — filling a wall with multiple small frames. Instead, opt for one large piece of art to create a bold statement. Oversized art can instantly elevate a space and serve as a conversation starter.

8. Design with Sightlines in Mind

When placing furniture and décor, consider how the space looks from different angles. The goal is to create visually pleasing “sightlines” that lead the eye naturally through the space. Here’s a designer tip: move pieces around, step away from the room for a while, and then return with fresh eyes to evaluate the layout. You’ll see the space with a new perspective and identify any issues with the new layout.

9. Bring the Outdoors In

Again, not so surprising, but plants aren’t just for decoration—they add life, purify the air, and create a fresh atmosphere. Even if you don’t have a green thumb, low-maintenance plants like succulents can do wonders for your space.

10. Break the Rules

Some of the best design choices come from stepping outside the norm. Want a dark, moody bedroom instead of the usual bright and airy look? Go for it. Feel like mixing multiple patterns? Try it. Your home should reflect your personality, so don’t be afraid to get creative!

Designing a home is all about blending functionality with personality. Every home we build at Gardner Homes is unique and reflects either the personal style of our clients or was uniquely designed by our in-house designer. Having a designer at your side will give you the confidence to think outside the box and embrace a few unexpected ideas; the end result is a home design that is both stylish and uniquely yours.

For us, building a home isn’t just about construction—it’s about creating a lasting relationship with our homeowners. Our job doesn’t end when the dust settles. We make it a priority to follow up after move-in, checking in with a personal phone call or a thoughtful email to ensure everything meets expectations. This commitment to quality and customer care is what sets us apart.

“What really sets Gardner Homes apart is that they care about their clients. They are family-oriented people, and I cannot express how grateful I am that they built such a beautiful home for my family. They go above and beyond to answer all your questions and to accommodate your needs/concerns.”-Paul & Kristen Madden

We Hear You

Building a home that reflects who you are starts with our very first meeting and every moment after. Give us all the details – how you want to live in your home, the expression of your personal style, and the way you see yourself living in your new home for years to come.

“The whole process from finding the perfect lot, designing the layout of my dream home, to picking out all the selections was extremely organized and about as stress-free as one could ask.” -Chadd Ramos

The Good, the Bad, and the Weird

Communication is everything. We are a small build team and we believe that makes it easy for our clients to share their experiences with us – good or bad. We value your opinions and we learn how we can improve our process going forward.

“There is nothing in our home design that I would change. We used a website portal called BuilderTrend to review overall project status and examine and approve various project proposals and costs.”- Lisa Gary

Crystal-Clear Support

We don’t wait for issues to come up. Our team reviews the warranty and maintenance options and how to address maintenance items before closing on your home. This includes providing you with owner manuals, product registrations, how-to guides, as well as clear explanations about what’s covered and how to request services makes all the difference.

“We have lived in our home build by Gardner for five years. It has been a pleasure and a wonderful experience. The home was build with attention to detail and with quality materials. The build has maintained with no major deficiency. I would highly recommend Gardner for a quality, beautiful and valued home.” – Ross Bays

The Reality of Stress-Free Homeownership

Our Gardner Homes Warranty Manual provides tips on seasonal preventative maintenance schedule, how to care for specific materials installed in your home, quick troubleshooting advice, and so much more. Having a guide tailored to your home is a lifesaver and takes the stress out of homeownership.

We Know A Guy!

We love giving referrals! If you need window treatments, someone to epoxy your garage floor, or someone to install a dog run – call us! We have a trusted network of professionals to recommend, and love helping our clients easily find reliable services when needed.

Every Detail At Your Fingertips

Want to touch-up the walls in your hallway and need to know the color of paint? Can’t remember the brand name of your flooring? Everything that is installed in your home and every trade partner who worked on your home is accessible to our homeowners through the BuilderTrend client portal. Easy access makes future maintenance or renovations a snap!

“They are very knowledgeable about building homes with the latest technology and design trends available today. Most importantly, though, they always went the extra mile to ensure that my clients were happy every step of the way!” – Lindsay Childers Batt

Celebrations 

We love to throw a party at Gardner Homes. Every year we host a party looking forward to hearing about new babies, sports activities, school graduations…all the beautiful milestones in the lives of our clients both past and present, because the best part of what we do is all about the friendships made along the way.

Set in the newly poured concrete driveway of every home we build is a brass plaque that represents Gardner Homes’ commitment to build with integrity and the highest level of craftsmanship. Our clients come come to us with one of the biggest life decisions – building a home that reflects who they are. Home is everything. It’s where you want to be surrounded with everything you hold dear – family, friends, safety, and a sense of calm at the end of a busy day. It’s where we create memories, share experiences, and build relationships.

Gardner Homes is a Certified Master Builder

Our commitment to best practices, exceptional service, and innovative design has awarded us the Certified Master Builder accreditation by the Idaho Certified Master Builder program. The builders who request certification hold themselves to a higher standard than required by the State of Idaho for registration. This commitment to a higher standard is at the core of everything we do at Gardner Homes, even down to the smallest of details. Because we all know that perfection is found in the details.

A Home Builder You Can Trust

When it comes to building your home, you need a builder partnership that you can trust to guide you through every single home building detail – even long after we hand you the keys. Our build team is committed to the kind of homebuilding experience that makes you want to point to the small brass plaque in your driveway whenever someone comments on your beautiful new home.