What Is Elevated Casual HOME™️ Design?

Ready to make your home as functional and family-friendly as it is beautiful? Then elevated casual home™️ design is for you! Keep reading for my full guide on creating an elevated casual look for your home.

You’ve probably heard the term elevated casual pop up in fashion lately. It’s the look that says, “I put effort into this,” without looking like you tried too hard. A cozy sweater paired with tailored jeans and purposeful accessories. Effortless, but intentional. Stylish, but lived-in.

But what if that vibe didn’t stop at your closet?

Welcome to the world of elevated casual home™️ design, where we give our homes the same treatment. Think: family-friendly function meets “this could be in a magazine” aesthetic.

I’ve been working as a DIY blogger, interior designer and AirBNB host for 7 years, and creating elevated casual home™️ spaces has become my passion. 

The best part about this type of interior design? Elevated casual home™️ design is not just a style, it’s a lifestyle. It’s a way of designing your home that supports your day-to-day routines and needs. And it might be the exact thing you and your home are craving.

Understanding Elevated Casual Home Design vs. Other Design Styles

There’s no shortage of design buzzwords these days. You’ve got California Casual, Modern Farmhouse, Grandmillennial, Boho Chic… the list goes on. Most of these styles focus on aesthetics: what kind of furniture to buy, what wood tones to mix, what patterns to layer.

Elevated casual, though? It’s a mindset. It’s not about committing to a single aesthetic, it’s about building a home that works for your real life and looks amazing while doing it. And because there are no strict design rules, you can weave in your favorite farmhouse, boho, modern, or even maximalist vibes – whatever you love! What matters is how those elements serve your space and your family.

I like to think of elevated casual homes as being builder-grade turned custom. It’s taking the standard-issue home you started with and creating a space that feels luxurious – and completely personalized – on a budget.

It’s comfy enough for a family movie night but stylish enough to make your friends say, “Wait, you did this yourself?” (Much like the before and after in my old home’s master bedroom, shown below.)

6 Essential Elements of Elevated Casual Home Design

Ready to bring an elevated casual style to your home? Start exploring these key elements to bring this design style to life.

1. A Whole-House Color Palette

Cohesive colors are the key to creating a home that flows. A balanced palette creates warmth and harmony from room to room – and is a great way to let your personality and design preferences shine!

Here’s what you need to build an elevated casual color palette:

• Base Neutral: White, cream, beige, or gray — pick one and stick with it. Warm neutrals are definitely trending in 2025, but you can choose the neutral hue you like best.
• Primary Accent: While this hue can be colorful, I still like to keep it fairly soft and muted. Consider colors that are easy to incorporate throughout the home, like sage, navy, or clay.
• Secondary Accent: Select something that complements or contrasts your primary accent color but is a bit darker or brighter. For example, if your primary accent color is clay, you could use apricot, coral, rosy pink, terracotta, ginger or burnt orange for a complementary secondary accent. To contrast, turquoise, seafoam, teal, jade, tiffany blue or pine would all work well.
• Small Pops: Add more color with small pops of contrasting hues like dusty blue, mustard or eggplant. I like to incorporate these in accessories, art and textiles. Don’t forget to include pops of pattern and texture, too! Wallpaper is a great way to do this, as you can see in the formal living room transformation pictured below!

Designer Tip: To build a color palette, start with a large textile ( like a rug or curtains) or a large piece of art that features colors you love. Then, pull your color palette from that and build your room around it.

Check out my Pinterest board with a TON of color palette ideas.

2. Family-Friendly Textiles

Yes, you can have nice things – even with kids. These are some of my favorite textiles to incorporate into an elevated casual home and the ways I like to use them within a design:

• Durable Upholstery: Look for performance fabrics that will stand the test of time, like plush velvets or real leather.
• Layer Soft Textures: Woven throws, nubby pillows, thick curtains and bamboo bedding all add beautiful texture to a design and are also cozy and welcoming for kids and adults alike.
• Mix and Match Fabrics: Look for opportunities to combine different fabrics and textures. Velvet plays well with embroidery, for example. Don’t be afraid to add pieces with unique features like tassels, special stitching and buttons, too!
• Easy-to-Clean Rugs: Wool blends or machine washable styles are your best friends. They’ll stand up to kids’ messes and these days there are so many gorgeous options out there! I love the one in our art room, which you can see below.

3. Stylish & Functional Furniture

Every piece of furniture in your home should do its job and look good doing it. Bonus points for pieces that are multi-purpose, too – like a storage ottoman or bench with hidden shoe storage.

Here are my top tips for picking functional furniture that also looks great:

• Look for furniture that is minimal but still inviting. Furniture that feels simple instead of overly ornate helps make spaces feel more casual and family-friendly.
• Try a variety of seating options, combining sectionals, accent chairs, and even beanbags in kid zones. This is a great opportunity to combine colors and textiles, too!
• Look for rounded corners and sturdy builds if you’ve got littles running around. We want furniture that looks good but is also safe!
• Double duty: Coffee tables with storage. Ottomans that hide toys. Dining tables that extend. Your furniture should be supporting your ability to organize your life!

4. Elevated Casual Lighting

Lighting matters more than we think. While you can’t control how much natural light your home gets, you can add additional lighting strategically, for a home that feels warm, cozy and inviting.

• Use LED bulbs in soft white or daylight for the most natural-looking light. We don’t want our homes to feel like the inside of a department store dressing room.
• Mix it up: Pendants, table lamps, floor lamps, and task lighting all have their place. Consider lighting with dimmable switches so you can control the amount of life in a space throughout the day.
• Statement lighting: Hanging pendants and larger lighting pieces make quite a statement when used in key areas like over a kitchen island, dining table, or in an entry. This is a great way to elevate your design while still being family-friendly.

5. Stylish Storage Solutions

Clutter isn’t cute — but it is real life. But making sure you have a place for everything in your home can significantly cut down on clutter and keep your home organized more consistently.

Here are some of my favorite ideas:

• Decorative baskets hide toys and look good doing it.
• Floating shelves or built-in cabinets show off curated pieces (and keep breakables out of kid reach).
• Hidden-storage furniture is your new bestie: beds with drawers, coffee tables with compartments, even pretty shoe cabinets that look like gorgeous console tables can be great additions to an elevated casual home design.
• Clear containers + labels keep your pantry and kids’ stuff Pinterest-worthy and functional.
• DIY home command centers are a great way to support your day-to-day routines. Create a simple drop zone for backpacks, lunch boxes, school papers, mail, a family calendar or anything else you might need.

6. Practical (Yet Pretty) Accessories

These are the finishing touches that say “we live here” in the best possible way. Choosing your decor items intentionally helps tie together an elevated casual home design without making your space feel cluttered or overcrowded.

Some of my favorite examples include:

• Soft, stylish rugs for floor play in kids’ spaces.
• Durable yet aesthetic dinnerware (like stoneware or bamboo).
• Gallery walls with family photos or rotating kid art.
• Tech that doesn’t scream “cord chaos,” like wireless chargers and sleek speakers.
• Thrifted treasures and travel keepsakes.
• Pretty AND functional toys made from wood and other beautiful materials.
• A go-to signature home scent.
• Plants (real or fake – no shame here!) to add an organic touch to your space and a pop of color.

How to Create an Elevated Casual Moodboard

Want to nail the elevated casual home design look before you start shopping or painting? Start with a moodboard. This is how I start any project in my own home or for a design client, and it’s a great way to make sure your ideas come together in a cohesive way.

Here’s how to make a moodboard:

1. Pick your tool: Canva is easy and free. Pinterest is great for inspo. Good ol’ Google Slides works too.
2. Start with your vibe: Add 1–2 images that capture the overall feel you’re going for (a color palette, a styled shelf, or even an elevated casual fashion outfit that inspires you will do the trick!).
3. Include your core elements: Fabrics you love, a rug or artwork you already own, any furniture you’re eyeing. I like to use a tool called floorplanner.com. It’s a free website you can use for 2D and 3D space planning to see how furniture selections will fit in your home and the specific space you’re designing.
4. Don’t forget function: Add storage ideas, family-friendly materials, or furniture pieces that solve a real problem.
5. Save it + refer back often: This will help guide your purchases and DIY projects.
   

Is Elevated Casual the Right Style for You?

So, how do you know if elevated casual home design is actually right for you and your house? Ask yourself if you want a home that:

• Feels like YOU
• Is both kid-friendly and company-ready
• Looks pulled together without being fussy
• Functions well for your real daily life
• Feels cozy, clean, and elevated – all at the same time

If your answer is yes, then it’s absolutely your style!

And remember, creating an elevated casual space doesn’t mean gutting your home or spending thousands to redecorate. Elevated casual is all about intentional upgrades that are super personalized to your life and your preferences.

Creating an elevated casual home is about balancing comfort with style. Ensuring your space feels both relaxed and refined while also being a reflection of YOU! It incorporates functional pieces mixed with unique accessories that reflect the homeowner and make a statement.

Example: It’s easy to put your personal home style in a box. You see a photo of a beautiful home that you love and you want yours to be the same. It’s great to allow yourself to be inspired but what makes a home unique is the personal touches that resonate with your lifestyle and family.

For example, our current home has a “formal” dining room but we aren’t a family that dines formally. We are perfectly happy gathering at the kitchen table, outside on the back patio or around the kitchen island. So instead of another table in this space we decided to turn it into a drop zone/art/homework room for our kids. A place where they can keep organized for school and also study, create or do a project. 

Elevated casual home design is all about taking something builder grade and making it custom, on a budget! When we first moved into our current builder-grade home, we also swapped light fixtures, added accent walls, and played with pops of color to make the space our own. These simple changes made all the difference – check out the before & after of our office fireplace as proof!

This design style is perfect for those who aren’t afraid to get their hands working. Are you willing to take on a DIY project to save money? Then, elevated casual design could be a perfect fit!

Embrace the Elevated Casual Life

You don’t need to pick just one design style. You need a home that makes your life easier – and prettier in the process.

Ready to get started?

👉 Download the FREE Elevated Casual Home Design Checklist to start the brainstorming process.

Need more guidance to get started with elevated casual home™️ design? See if my design consultation services are right for you! Stay tuned for the next post in this series as we start to break down this checklist and learn how to begin the process of planning a room makeover.