In the world of interior design, foundational elements like layout, architectural structure, and furniture often dominate attention. However, it is the artful use of accessories that truly brings a space to life, transforming a house into a home. The Accessories for Residential Interiors course, offered through UCLA Extension’s Architecture and Interior Design Program, provides students with an in-depth understanding of how these finishing touches add narrative, texture, and soul to residential spaces. Accessories – including lighting, rugs, textiles, artwork, window treatments, and decorative objects – serve as both functional tools and aesthetic enhancements. Far from being mere afterthoughts, they act as visual connectors that bind a design scheme together and reflect the personality of the homeowner. In today’s competitive design industry, mastering the art of accessorizing is not just beneficial; it is essential.
A Practical, Portfolio-Building Opportunity
The course emphasizes practical, hands-on learning through the development of a residential project. Students choose a room type, develop a hypothetical client profile, and merge two design styles to create a cohesive concept. Each week focuses on a new category of accessories, culminating in a richly layered, fully accessorized space.
Industry professional Nareh Sargsyan brings a wealth of experience and global inspiration to her teaching. With a BA in Art History from UCLA and a Visual Communications degree from FIDM, her journey through the design world has been shaped by diverse influences: from the Renaissance elegance of Florence, Italy, to the contemporary aesthetic of Los Angeles luxury homes. After working at institutions such as The Getty Center and The Broad, Sargsyan transitioned fully into interior design, eventually founding her own firm, Nareh Sargsyan Design Studio. Her work bridges architecture, furnishing, art curation, and the subtle details of accessorizing – skills she now imparts to her students at UCLA Extension.
“My favorite part of teaching is connecting with students from all over the world,” Sargsyan says. “They bring a fresh energy and unique perspectives that continually inspire me. By the end of the course, students walk away with a project that not only reflects their design voice but can also be included in their professional portfolio. It’s a rewarding, creative experience that pushes their design thinking to the next level.”
A unique highlight of the course is its focus on vintage and antique pieces. Students learn how to responsibly source and incorporate heritage items into modern settings. According to Sargsyan, this approach adds “a very uncommon sense of depth, pedigree, and history” to interiors. Learning to blend old and new effectively is a distinguishing skill that sets a designer apart. This aspect also introduces students to sustainable design practices, upcycling older items rather than always purchasing new. In an era where environmental impact is increasingly scrutinized, being able to propose stylish, eco-conscious solutions is an asset.
Why Accessories Matter: Insight from the Instructor
SL: Why are accessories so important in residential interiors?
NS: A home is deeply personal: it reflects who the client is. Accessories are what tell that story. While architecture and furniture establish structure, it’s the layers of accessories that make a space feel complete and lived-in. They’re the final brushstrokes on a canvas. A well-accessorized room communicates identity, warmth, and attention to detail that sets a design apart. The emotional connection created by meaningful objects or art cannot be overstated. Accessories humanize spaces, they express joy, nostalgia, memory, and values. That emotional dimension is often what makes a space feel not just beautiful, but meaningful.
SL: What skills do students develop in this course?
NS: Students develop a keen eye for scale, proportion, color harmony, and contextual design. They also learn about sourcing, mixing vintage and contemporary pieces, and layering textures to create dimension. The problem-solving aspect is key: finding pieces that are not only beautiful but also functional within the space. Students also improve their storytelling ability, which is vital when conveying design intent to clients or stakeholders. By the end of the course, they are able to articulate their design rationale with confidence, consider budgets and practical constraints, and approach the accessorizing process with the critical thinking that defines professional-grade work.
SL: How does the course prepare students for professional practice?
NS: The course mimics real-world scenarios where designers must cater to specific client needs and blend aesthetics with practicality. Whether it’s selecting art or refurbishing a vintage chair, students learn to approach design decisions with thoughtfulness and purpose. These are the same decisions they’ll be making in professional practice. The course builds confidence in client communication and develops a designer’s ability to justify their choices with clarity and professionalism. They also practice creating presentation boards, sourcing from real suppliers, and working within realistic timelines; skills that translate directly into workplace success.
SL: What makes vintage and antique pieces stand out in residential design?
NS: These pieces bring a richness to interiors that can’t be replicated by mass-produced items. They introduce history and character, often becoming focal points of a room. The course teaches students how to honor these objects – through restoration or reimagining – while integrating them seamlessly into contemporary design. It’s also about sustainability and offering clients something unique and irreplaceable, often with sentimental or historical value. Students explore how to evaluate authenticity, determine appropriate placement, and tell stories through objects that have already lived lives of their own. This gives their designs a curated, timeless quality.
SL: Can students with no prior experience in accessorizing benefit from this course?
NS: Absolutely. The course is structured to build from the basics, so students understand foundational principles first. By the end of the class, they feel confident selecting, placing, and justifying every accessory in their designs. Students come away with real tools they can apply immediately, and a deeper appreciation for how small details contribute to the overall success of a design. We also look at case studies, review common mistakes, and explore best practices, so beginners feel supported while being challenged to grow.
SL: What role does cultural influence play in accessory design?
NS: Cultural influences are incredibly important. Accessories often reflect a homeowner’s background, travels, or values. In class, we explore how to incorporate global elements authentically, without resorting to cliché. I encourage students to find inspiration from their own heritage or experiences and to think about the story behind each object they select. We study multicultural design aesthetics and talk about representation, symbolism, and respectful integration. When students learn to approach cultural design with integrity and curiosity, it expands their creative vocabulary in powerful ways.
SL: How do accessories contribute to the longevity and adaptability of interior spaces?
NS: Accessories are the most versatile tools in a designer’s toolkit. Unlike built-in architectural elements, they can be changed out seasonally, rotated for different moods, or upgraded over time. When selected thoughtfully, they extend the life of a design and allow clients to evolve their space as their lifestyle or tastes change. We talk about how to future-proof interiors with modular accessory choices and how to help clients refresh their spaces without major renovations.
Aligning with Career Goals
The class also meets a vital academic need for many aspiring designers. For students enrolled in the Interior Design Certificate Program at UCLA Extension, this course is a flexible, impactful way to gain advanced design understanding and earn additional units. Approved as extra elective units for professional development, the course contributes to the 90 academic unit requirement for students aiming to sit for the NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) exam. This makes the course not only creatively stimulating, but also strategically valuable for career progression toward NCIDQ eligibility. As the interior design industry becomes more specialized, courses like this provide a strategic edge, building both creative confidence and a compelling portfolio.
In a time when clients are seeking authenticity and personal expression in their homes, the ability to tell a story through accessories is a powerful design tool. Whether a student is just starting their journey or seeking to elevate an existing practice, the Accessories for Residential Interiors course it’s a gateway into the heart of home design where students learn how to create emotional resonance in a space, develop their stylistic voice, and communicate stories through objects.
It’s also a launching pad for broader study. Many students who take this class go on to pursue other electives in the program, such as The Psychology of Residential Interior Design , Residential Home Remodeling, or Feng Shui for Designers and Architects. These courses expand on the emotional and functional relationship between occupants and spaces, skills that are in high demand in both residential and commercial sectors.
