I Bought These 8 Home Items After I Started Working With Interior Designers

Kelsey Clark · June 17, 2025

Modern living room with sage green sofa, light wood coffee table, and minimalist Scandinavian aesthetic

My interest in interior design existed long before my job at Havenly. But after working with professional interior designers over the last four years as the brand’s freelance writer and Editorial Manager, my love for all things home has only deepened (and evolved).

The way I shop for my home, in particular, has significantly shifted since working in close proximity with “the experts.” From must-have products to my taste in upholstery, pattern, color trends, and beyond, working with interior designers has definitely taught me a thing or two about furnishing my space.

Ahead, find the recent home purchases that have been directly inspired by my work with Havenly interior designers over the last four years, from big-ticket items like furniture to small decorative pieces.

1. Patterned ottomans from The Inside

Contemporary fireplace mantel with botanical poufs, gallery wall art, and brass accents

Before working in the design field, I had somewhat of a fear of pattern. Blame my fixation on mid-2010s minimalism, but all I could handle before was a faint, barely-there stripe. But now, I’m all about pops of pattern, whether in the form of rugs and throw pillows or duo ottomans (like the above Drum Ottomans from The Inside). The brand allows you to personalize your piece with 100+ patterns, from sumptuous velvets to bold florals.

2. Tons of coffee table books

Mid-century modern seating with cognac leather sofa and rattan arc lamp

If there’s anything I’ve learned from combing through imagery from Havenly photoshoots, it’s that coffee table books belong everywhere. And I mean everywhere: on actual coffee tables, and on TV consoles, nightstands, dressers, sideboards, side tables, and beyond. I’ve since amassed my own collection of coffee table books (including AD at 100), and have them littered all around my home, from common spaces to bedrooms.

3. A sofa from Interior Define

Warm contemporary living room with caramel sofas, stone fireplace, and natural light

While I may be biased, I couldn’t wait to order a sofa from Interior Define and spent months deciding on the exact style, fabric, and configuration for my space. I ultimately went with the Scarlett Chaise Sectional in Bisque for my TV room, and currently have my eye on the Maxwell in Fawn Performance Velvet (shown below) for my sitting room. The brand offers top-notch quality and customization for the price and I couldn’t be happier with my first purchase — I’m eager to receive sofa number two!

4. The Crate & Barrel Énorme Cannelée vase

Coastal entryway with striped blue ottomans beneath staircase and woven accents

This beautiful Crate and Barrel vase is another find I sourced from our many photoshoots — I’ve seen it styled on the ground on a stack of books, and on console tables, TV stands, pedestal tables, and more. I finally bought one of my own and can confirm that it’s just as aesthetically-pleasing and versatile in person. The cream color is perfect, and it looks equally stunning with or without fresh flowers.

5. A rug from The Citizenry

Scandinavian reading nook with natural wood frame chair and striped area rug

After hearing about the next-level quality and craftsmanship of The Citizenry rugs from the design team, I had to test them out for myself. I ultimately went with the brand’s Lalita rug for my bedroom, and it absolutely does not disappoint. It doesn’t even compare to the inexpensive printed, polyester rugs that I’ve bought in the past. The design is perfection, it’s luxuriously soft, and, like all other products from The Citizenry, it’s fair trade-certified. I have no notes.

6. Cane accent chairs

Eclectic living room blending mid-century modern wood furniture with minimalist white walls and classic fireplace

After seeing countless Pierre Jeanneret-style cane chairs in many designer homes, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a set of my own. The silhouette is trendy yet timeless, and offers a mixed-material look that I absolutely love. I ultimately went with a set of Rue Chairs from Interior Define and couldn’t be happier — the cozy upholstered seat eliminates the issue of vintage cane ripping through.

7. The Anthropologie Ruffle Bowl

Contemporary living room with forest green sofa, neutral tones, and arched architectural details

Enter another photoshoot staple I’ve since purchased for my own home! After seeing this Ruffle Bowl from Anthropologie styled beautifully on multiple coffee tables, I had to buy one for myself. I love the unique shape and pop of texture it adds to any table — I have mine styled with a few vintage matchbooks and coffee table books (of course).

8. A pedestal table

Ornate gilt mirror paired with modern textured accent chair in serene neutral space

After styling a floor lamp and oversized houseplant in my sitting room, I realized I needed another source of height and didn’t know what to buy. The design team turned me on to pedestal tables, like this one from McGee and Co, for another touch of height that feels elevated and seamless. I styled mine similarly to the above photo: with two coffee table books and a textured vase.

Want a designer's eye on your own shopping list?

Knowing which one splurge is worth it, and which upgrades can wait, is exactly the kind of call a Havenly designer makes every day. They can tell you where your money will actually show up in the room.

Take the Havenly style quiz — it takes 10 minutes and matches you with a designer who'll build a full shopping plan for your space.

Not ready to commit? Try Havenly AI — snap a photo of your room and see it reimagined with a few key pieces swapped in.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I buy first when upgrading a room with designer-approved pieces?

Start with one piece you already love, like a rug or an accent chair, and build the rest of the room around it instead of shopping for everything at once.

Are custom sofas worth the investment?

If you want a specific size, fabric, and configuration for your space, yes. Custom brands like Interior Define let you dial in exactly what fits your room instead of settling for an off-the-shelf size.

How do I add pattern without it feeling overwhelming?

Start small with a patterned pillow, an ottoman, or a rug, and tie the look together with one repeating color so the pattern reads as intentional, not random.

Where do interior designers usually shop for accessories?

Brands like Crate & Barrel, Anthropologie, and The Citizenry show up again and again in professional photoshoots for accents like vases, bowls, and rugs.

What's the one splurge-worthy item designers actually recommend?

A well-made sofa. It's the piece you touch daily and the hardest to fix after the fact, so it's usually worth spending more on than a coffee table or accent chair.

Can I get a designer look on a tight budget?

Yes. Mix one or two investment pieces, like a rug or a sofa, with lower-cost accessories, and lean on pattern and color to do a lot of the visual work.