I love decorating, and I’m a big fan of Sarah Richardson’s work on Sarah’s House. The recent season airing in the U.S. has been especially inspiring as I juggle several home projects. Even when her projects start with larger budgets than many of us have, there are plenty of practical, affordable ideas and design principles worth adapting to your own home.
Five takeaways from Sarah’s House that I’m using right now
1. Use color and finishes fearlessly
One of Sarah Richardson’s strengths is her confident use of color and varied finishes. She layers hues and textures to give rooms personality and visual energy. In the family space, red paired with gray creates a bold, modern contrast that feels deliberate and lively.
Don’t let trends dictate what should go in your home. Use the colors, woods, and finishes that reflect your taste. Mixing different woods and materials can create a cohesive, personal look when done thoughtfully. The key is balance and intent: choose combinations that speak to your style and enhance the architecture or layout of your space.
2. Think outside the box
Creative thinking can transform ordinary rooms into standout spaces. Instead of standard builder-grade bathroom vanities, Sarah repurposed a piece of furniture as a vanity, added casters for charm, and chose a striking sink and mirror. Small unconventional choices—like a meaningful piece of furniture or an unexpected finish—can elevate a room from predictable to memorable.
3. Design rooms you can actually use
Function should drive design decisions. This craft room demonstrates how planning for real-life use makes a space more valuable. It’s organized for activities ranging from crafts to homework and family projects. When you design around how a household actually lives and moves through a space, the room becomes more useful and easier to maintain.
4. Build storage into every room
Storage is essential for a well-functioning family home. In the family room, Sarah used affordable cabinetry and styled it to look custom, creating dedicated space to hide electronics, games, and everyday clutter. Thoughtful built-ins or well-integrated cabinets help rooms stay tidy and make everyday living more seamless. Even modest homes benefit greatly from purposeful storage solutions.
5. Create a personal retreat
Designing a master bedroom or bathroom that reads like a retreat doesn’t require a luxury budget. The idea is to carve out a calm, restorative space within your home. Simple touches—plush towels or robes, soft lighting, scented candles, or an elegant light fixture—can create that hotel-like feeling. A small investment in comfort and ambience pays dividends in everyday enjoyment.
Which “Sarah’s House” idea inspires you most right now?
images via HGTV Sarah’s House