The Art of Designing with What You’ve Got

Each week, interior designer, artist, and self-proclaimed color obsessive Lu Loveless shares a peek into her design process—whether it’s a smart trick she swears by or a favorite resource from her personal folder. This week: tips for working with what you inherit.

Most of us don’t get to start with a blank slate. We usually inherit choices from past homeowners that may not exactly align with our vision—questionable paint choices, dated flooring, funky tile (not the good kind of funky). My own 1950s bathroom is proof: I didn’t pick turquoise tile and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon, so I gotta work with it. And, honestly…I’m thrilled!

What if instead of seeing those undesirable features in your home as obstacles, you treated them as creative challenges? Maybe even have a little fun with it…

Designing with what you’ve got means shifting your mindset from “stuck with it” to “working with it.” It’s not about erasing what’s there, it’s about finding ways to highlight, balance, or soften it until the space feels like your own.

Here are a few ways to approach your own inherited design quirks:

1. Work with the Palette

Even if it feels like you can’t make your cherry-stained wood cabinets from the early 2000s look good, chances are there’s a complementary color palette that can make them feel fresh and intentional. Lean on reference images or pre-selected color palettes as a guide, and build your room’s decor around that. I wrote about this book in a previous newsletter, and it’s a great resource to have on hand when you need to build a color palette, especially around an existing color.

Real-life example: In my bathroom, I started by choosing a paint color that complements (instead of fights) the vintage tile. Using my reference images, I know that light blue and rusty red will pair well with my turquoise tile. To confirm my color choices before purchasing anything, I bring in swatches (you can use what you already have lying around your house) to make sure you’re vibing with the palette. 

2. Add Layers

Another way to work with a not-my-first-choice feature in your home is to use layering to help blend it into the rest of your decor. Rugs, art, and textiles can shift the mood without changing the bones and help reflect your personality without letting your inherited features take over your room. Stuck with that awful laminate flooring for a while? Layer several large rugs in your space to camouflage (or completely hide) it. Hate the paint color on your dining room walls but can’t paint them just yet? Create a gallery wall or hang a tapestry to distract the eye from the large swath of unsightly color.

3. Repeat the Color Somewhere Else

If the tile, flooring, or wall has a strong color, echo it in the accents—a pillow, rug, or piece of art. Repetition makes it feel intentional. When a color only appears once in a room, it can feel like an oddball. But when you repeat it, even in a small way, it suddenly looks like part of the plan. For example, if you have green tile, consider bringing in a plant, a patterned towel with hints of green, or a piece of art with a green accent.

Real-life example: When I first moved into my home, I hung artwork I already owned in the bathroom—pieces with little hints of turquoise that tied into the room, at least temporarily. This made the room feel more cohesive and pulled together, and held things over until I could do a bigger transformation in the space. 

4. Highlight the Charm

Sometimes what feels dated (pink tile, retro fixtures) can actually be the character that makes a space interesting. The turquoise tile in my bathroom wouldn’t be my first choice, but I love that it gives my otherwise basic bathroom a personality of its own, so I’m choosing to embrace it and create a vibrant palette around it. The truth is, these quirky inherited features are often what make a home memorable. A space that’s a little imperfect, a little unexpected, has a way of feeling warmer and more alive than one that’s been stripped of all its history.

Real-life example: I might even purchase some 1950’s hardware or vintage light fixture to play up the vintage tile in my bathroom. To balance/contrast the vintage vibe, I’ll choose a more contemporary mirror or artwork to make it feel fresh and not overtly 1950’s.

5. Think “For Now”

Small updates like paint, hardware, and styling can buy time until you’re ready for bigger renovations. Even a simple change, like swapping out a light fixture or layering in a new shower curtain, can shift the whole mood of a room. These little upgrades create momentum, making the space feel cared for and intentional while you wait for the right moment to tackle larger projects.

Final Thoughts

Your home doesn’t have to be your dream version to feel creative, cozy, and personal. When you’re faced with an inherited feature that makes you cringe, flip it into a design challenge. That’s where you get to flex your creativity and have a little fun.

With love,

Lu