Sweet Design Sunday: The Smallest Shift Can Change Everything

Because sometimes the boldest design move isn’t loud — it’s honest.

You don’t need a full home makeover or renovation to reconnect with your space. Sometimes, all it takes is one quiet, intentional design choice to shift the atmosphere and bring you back to yourself — gently, slowly, and without the pressure to be “done.”

Here are three soulful gestures to help you feel more rooted in your space — no matter your square footage, budget, or season of life:

➝Light a grounding candle — not just for home decor or ambiance, but for the atmosphere. Strike the match not to impress, but to inhale ease. And if the jar that holds it is beautiful? That helps too. Interior design lives in the details — and even a small flicker deserves a worthy vessel. Find a scent that speaks to you. Soulful and grounding: amber, oud, smoked vetiver, sandalwood. Warm and playful: fig, blood orange, wild mint, or brown sugar and rose.

➝Style one surface — gently. No pressure. Just presence. Choose a nightstand, side table, or a forgotten corner in your apartment, bedroom, or small space.Clear it. Breathe. Add one or two things that feel true to where you are right now: a bud vase, a matchbook, a candle, a worn book. Something you picked up at a flea market or found in a drawer. Keep it simple. Let it be honest. Let it change when you do.

➝Add one layer of color or pattern — a peel-and-stick wallpaper, painted accent wall, or printed textile that shifts the whole room without overwhelming it. You don’t have to redo everything. Just redirect the energy. Paint a wall in a warm neutral or earthy color that grounds you — something from a curated palette that feels calm, rooted, and expressive.

Earth tone interiors, soft candlelight, and a quiet moment to just be. Not for the aesthetic — but for the atmosphere. A quiet reminder that one small shift can make you fall in love with the whole room.

The new Boho Colors Collection by Sherwin Williams is full of earthy, tender hues — terracotta blush, muted mustard, sagey greens, and dusty clays. Or try a Spoonflower peel-and-stick wallpaper — perfect for renters, apartment dwellers, or anyone craving a low-commitment design upgrade. Some of my current favorites include hand-drawn botanicals, moody checkered patterns, and soft abstract line art. Apply it to a small wall, a reading nook, a built-in, or a little entry hallway. Let it be your whisper of change.

Start small. Start soft. Light the candle. Style the surface. Shift the wall. Let your space meet you where you are — even if you’re still figuring out where that is. Because intentional design isn’t always about doing the most. Sometimes, it’s about doing what matters most — for you, your lifestyle, and your home.

With so much love,

Andrea

P.S. Looking for cozy apartment design ideas, moody home inspiration, or easy renter-friendly upgrades? Explore more design notes on the blog or subscribe for weekly styling tips straight to your inbox.