Abigail Ahern shares the secret to curating small decor items like an interior designer

Interior designer Abigail Ahern has built a reputation upon statement pieces and maximalist design choices. However, she has revealed her secret to using small, understated objects to create an elevated display on your dining table, coffee table and beyond. 

Sharing her modern decorating ideas via Instagram, Abigail revealed how to transform your surface, whether that is your coffee table, mantelpiece, or shelf – by introducing simple decor into your scheme. ‘I often talk about the game-changing power of large pieces, but little pieces are just as important,’ she says. 

‘There are some simple little tricks that you can do to elevate your surfaces.’

(Image credit: Little Greene)

How to curate small decor items

‘There are so many easy little tricks that you can use to elevate surfaces. If you reduce a color palette – they are all harmonious, and they all work. You can mix up textural things and play a little bit with height – then you’ve totally nailed it,’ Abigail explains during a demonstration. 

Using the example of a coffee table in her home, the designer places small succulents and a diffuser on her book – to accentuate the space and ensure the space looks more rounded. 

‘On a coffee table, books are such a lovely addition. I have two books, but they look flat on their own,’ she shares in the demonstration. 

(Image credit: Future / Davide Lovati)

'The minute you take these beautiful little succulents, and you pop it on there [on top of the book], it literally takes it to another level. Then I have this diffuser. That goes on there too. It’s more three-dimensional, it’s more intriguing to the eye, and you’ve nailed it.’

Alongside the succulents and diffuser, Abigail shared another modern dining room idea that will elevate your space using small pieces. 

‘Another sweet scenario: this is one of our paper mache bowls. I have filled it with popery and put it on here, and it looks beautiful. I’m not quite finished, though.'

'Then, I took a textual drinking glass and popped in these autumnal branches (Senecio sunset)... It will look beautiful on a Christmas table or a thanksgiving table,’ she says. 

(Image credit: Future / Matthew Williams)

If you’re following Abigail’s lead, she recommends using three autumnal branches as you should ‘generally work with odd numbers.’

‘It just takes it to another level,’ she adds. 

 Interior design ideas can be tricky to translate into a home, however, Abigail Ahern's tip should help transform your small items from clutter to a true style statement.