Ditch the overhead lighting - and 6 other swaps that will make any room in your house look instantly more expensive

Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn moreThere’s something about the end of summer that makes me want to give my home a little refresh. After months of throwing open the windows, living with lighter fabrics and generally making the most of the brighter days, September feels like the perfect excuse to make our spaces feel a little cosier – and, dare I say it, a little more grown-up.And if your home is also crying out for a new-season update, H&M HOME has just dropped its autumn collection, alongside a new collaboration with American designer Kelly Wearstler. The good news? You don’t need to overhaul an entire room to make it feel more expensive. A few well-chosen details can make all the difference.To find out exactly what to be buying now – and which familiar looks we might be ready to move on from – I asked H&M HOME’s Head of Design & Creative, Evelina Kravaev-Söderberg, for the pieces she’ll be styling this autumn. Her advice? Look for lighting, decorative accents and tactile materials that add warmth and character without making a space feel overly styled.‘There are easy and effective elements you can add to a room to instantly transform its look and feel,’ she says. ‘From our new Kelly Wearstler H&M HOME collection and autumn collection, we have pieces spanning lighting, decorative accents and more, designed to bring warmth, character and a considered finish to any space.’So, before you buy another piece of homeware that’s destined to look dated in six months, here are seven easy swaps to make instead…1. Instead of: filling your shelves with generic ornamentsBuy: a design-led statement pieceIf your shelves are starting to resemble a collection of random bits and pieces, it might be time to be a little more selective. Rather than filling every available space, look for decorative objects that have enough character to stand on their own.That’s exactly what Kravaev-Söderberg likes about this domino set. ‘Perfect for displaying on the shelf, it adds playful character and a sense of togetherness, turning an everyday object into a considered decorative detail.’I love the idea of treating smaller homeware pieces more like objects you’ve collected over time, rather than simply buying something because there’s an empty spot that needs filling.2. Instead of: relying on overhead lightingBuy: a sculptural table lampIf you’re still switching on the main light as soon as the sun goes down, consider this your sign to stop. Layered lighting is one of those small changes that can completely alter the atmosphere of a room – and a beautiful lamp means you don’t have to sacrifice style for practicality.Kravaev-Söderberg describes this table lamp as ‘an effortless way to introduce a sense of luxury to the living space’, thanks to its ‘sculptural form, soft light and considered materiality’.And she’s right: with its ceramic finish and sculptural silhouette, this is the kind of lamp that looks just as good switched off as it does glowing in the evening.3. Instead of: a cluttered coffee tableBuy: one beautiful trayThe coffee table can quickly become the dumping ground of the living room. Remotes, magazines, candles, coasters, half-empty mugs… you know the drill. But rather than trying to hide the clutter, a good tray can give everything a little more structure.Kravaev-Söderberg recommends this tray, which combines natural marble with geometric detailing. ‘It brings a personal, design-led touch to the coffee table,’ she says, creating ‘a considered centrepiece’.Add a couple of carefully chosen pieces and you’ve got a much more intentional-looking arrangement – without having to clear the table completely.4. Instead of: one statement candleBuy: a collection of candlesticksI’m firmly of the belief that you can never have too many candles, but there is a way to make them feel more considered. Rather than placing one in the middle of the table and calling it a day, try grouping candlesticks of different heights together.It’s a styling trick Kravaev-Söderberg swears by. ‘Whether hosting for a crowd or simply creating a sense of ambience, candlesticks instantly warm any tablescape. I would buy multiple in different heights for a sensorial atmosphere.’At £29.99 each, you can easily build up a little collection without blowing the budget – and the result will look far more expensive than the individual pieces suggest.5. Instead of: stacking books purely for decorationBuy: a book stand that makes them part of the roomThere’s nothing wrong with a stack of coffee-table books, but if yours are starting to feel more like props than things you actually enjoy looking at, try giving one of your favourites a little more attention.This wooden book stand is designed to do exactly that. Kravaev-Söderberg describes it as having an ‘effortless quality’ that is ‘sculptural enough to stand alone, but practical too’.It’s a particularly clever buy if you’re working with a smaller space, as even a single book can become a decorative feature without taking up much room.6. Instead of: hiding the awkward cornersBuy: a floor lamp that makes them a featureEvery house has that one corner you’re never quite sure what to do with. You could add another plant, of course, but I’m much more tempted by the idea of turning it into a feature instead.That’s where this floor lamp comes in. Kravaev-Söderberg says she is ‘always drawn to lighting that feels as decorative, yet timeless’, and describes this one as having a ‘sculptural silhouette’ that ‘instantly brings character to a space’.And while she suggests it could work on a console or bedside table too, I’d be taking her advice and using it to give an otherwise forgotten corner a purpose.7. Instead of: overly styled beddingBuy: simple checksThe bedroom is another area where it’s surprisingly easy to overdo things. Too many patterns, too many cushions, too many layers… and suddenly your supposedly relaxing space feels like it’s trying very hard.This season, I’m taking my cue from Kravaev-Söderberg and going back to basics with checks. ‘I love the understated Scandi feel of our new checked duvet set. The simple pattern gives the bedroom a polished, quiet-luxury feel without ever looking too styled.’It’s exactly the kind of update I want from my autumn bedding: enough pattern to make the room feel finished, but subtle enough that it won’t dictate the rest of the scheme.The lesson here is that making a room look more expensive doesn’t necessarily mean spending more. Sometimes, it’s simply about choosing fewer, better-looking pieces – and giving them a little more thought. And with autumn on the horizon, I can’t think of a better time to start.