I own eleven table lamps and keep buying more. I have a firm rule against overhead lighting after dark. It makes a living room look like a waiting area at a dentist office. I spend a lot of time moving small lamps around to see how the shadows change the shape of a room.
Fixing cheap fabrics Most affordable curtains look stiff and hang badly. I buy the cheap ones anyway and spend hours sewing fishing weights into the hems. It drags the fabric down and makes it pool on the floor perfectly. I share the exact weights I use and the fabrics that actually fold well. I also document the ones that shrink completely out of shape in the wash.
Ignoring the seasonal stuff I do not buy seasonal decor. I dislike the idea of swapping out pillows just because the weather changed. Instead I look for thick wool rugs and heavy cotton throws that stay out all year. I photograph the textiles up close so you can see the actual weave. If a blanket pills after a week on the sofa, I take a picture and warn you to skip it.