An interior designer shares 11 things she always makes sure she has in her home

Beautiful tableware can show creativity and originality.

According to Devon Liedtke, interior designer and founder of The DL, you can show off your creativity when setting the table. Liedtke values beautiful tableware as well as the table itself.

"Generally, in my design, from my fashion to my homes, I love to play with nuanced neutrals," she told Business Insider. "I like to own tableware that can be mixed and matched, playing with tones and textures and the food I am serving."

Great art can instantly change the atmosphere of a room.

Displaying a great art collection was a must for Liedtke when she designed her home space. 

"I love to collect art and buy pieces I love when I find them," she told BI.

An art collection also offers the opportunity to simply swap pieces out and instantly change the vibe of the space.

Classic furniture pieces are a must for any home.

When it's time to buy furniture for the home, Liedtke sticks to classic pieces.

"'Timeless,' 'classic,' 'stand the test of time' are all words I think about when buying furniture," she said.

Since people typically buy large pieces of furniture like sofas, chairs, and dining tables only a few times in their lives, she recommends investing in good, long-lasting pieces.

Coffee-table books make a space look more interesting.

Liedtke also considers gorgeous coffee-table books to be another home essential. 

"My favorite books to collect are art books," she told BI. "I love scouring museum gift shops for new ones to add to my collection."

Liedtke recommends searching for books, such as museum books, that are as interesting as they are beautiful.

Ceramic vases filled with branches bring a sculptural element to any space.

The designer said she loves incorporating sculptural elements into rooms.

Though there are a number of ways to go about this, the designer recommends using "large ceramic vessels" and "adding in branches or greenery to finish a space."

Use stunning lamps as statement pieces.

Liedtke uses lighting as an opportunity to make a statement in her home.

From the varied shapes and textures available nowadays, lamps make for another easy way to add a sculptural piece to your space.

Linen bedding is dreamy, understated, and comfortable.

The designer said there's no better place than one's bed after a long day, so they recommend upgrading its comfort levels with linen bedding.

"I love the easy, understated look and the comfortability of linen sheeting," Liedtke said. "It looks perfectly imperfect and, dare I say, dreamy."

Chic ceramics are a wonderful way to add interest to a room.

When styling her home and other projects, Liedtke loves to use chic ceramics to add interest to a space.

"I have amassed a collection of ceramics that vary in shape, texture, color, and size," she told BI. "Some are mid-century, some come from abroad, and some I have designed with local ceramists."

According to the designer, ceramics are also a wonderful way to introduce an interesting object in the vignette, or a small group of decorative objects.

Creative storage solutions can be both functional and beautiful.

Liedtke said creative, effective storage solutions are essential for keeping her kids' toys organized in every room. 

"I don't have off-limit rooms, so all rooms in some way are a playroom," Liedtke told BI. "With that being said, in each room, I have come up with ways to store my kids' things that still complement my design."

She stores her kids' toys in large baskets that slide in and out of her console table in the living room and has a drawer dedicated to her daughters' play-kitchen utensils — all out of sight but still accessible.

Kitchen accessories should be functional and aesthetically pleasing.

She also has to have great kitchen accessories that are both functional and nice-looking. 

"I love to cook and spend time with my family in the kitchen," Liedtke said. "For as often as I cook, I really value the aesthetics of the items and how they work in my home decor."

A mood board can bring inspiration to any home.

Made with magazine clippings, handwritten notes, and memorabilia from favorite locations and vignettes, mood boards can be a great place to find inspiration.

"I work from my home and I have a large mood board in my office," Liedtke said. "I find myself constantly adding inspiration to it."

This story was originally published on November 6, 2022, and most recently updated on September 5, 2024.