The Detail That Can Make a Living Room Look Unfinished, According to Amber Lewis

Amber Lewis is known for doling out extremely solid advice to her clients—and 2 million Instagram followers. Last week, the Los Angeles–based interior designer brought her chops to the beauty and fashion podcast Lipstick on the Rim, cohosted by Molly Sims and Emese Gormley, and had plenty of thoughts on everything from salad servers to pattern mixing. Here are five that we’re committing to memory.

Only Buy What Makes You Happy

Spend money solely on goods you’re bound to covet years down the road. “If your home doesn’t evoke a feeling when you literally open your eyes in the morning, then what’s the point?” muses Lewis. Often, she says, it’s vintage finds that shine the brightest. The designer is a fan of scouring 1stDibs and flea markets and enjoys layering shelves with books that have some age or a story. She also seeks out “quirky things, like the brass sculpture that doesn’t make any sense but I love the patina on.”

Spend the Bulk of Your Budget on Upholstery

Quality dining tables and chairs are certainly worthwhile furniture splurges, Lewis notes, but the power of a well-made upholstered piece is undeniable. A well-built sofa has longevity, she adds, so even when the fabric begs for an upgrade, there’s no need to start from scratch. “If you love the shape of it, don’t be wasteful, redo it.”

All Four Furniture Legs Belong on the Rug

Lewis relishes filling rooms with rugs, unfurled way past the edges of a bed or sofa. She likes laying them down in dining rooms that exude formal vibes, too. But definitely “avoid having legs off of a rug in your living room,” she advises, because the room feels unfinished and unsettling. It’s almost like “your chair’s going for a walk,” she adds.

Bring Something Unexpected to a Dinner Party

Candles have long been go-to host gifts—and if you want to keep playing it safe, Lewis recommends the stunning ones from Harlem Candle Co. But she also suggests less predictable presents like striking salad servers, fancy cloth napkins, and—for an elevated look—water carafes. According to Lewis, the latter is an “underrated accessory that everyone should have.”

Choose Timeless Patterns and Textures

Rather than follow trends, Lewis encourages snatching up classics that can easily be spruced up with, say, new pillows or artwork over time. “We are having a movement into hopefully more pattern and texture. I think the sterile stuff is done,” she predicts. That’s to say: It’s time to let go of the hard corners and embrace what’s soft and comfortable.