When it comes to creating the luxurious interior spaces you crave, you might think that your only option is to hire a high-profile interior designer (or design firm) to handle the planning process and see to all the details. And while this is certainly an option, it behooves you to enter the arrangement with at least an inkling of how you want your home to look when completed. Whether you’re doing one room or redecorating the entire space you’re likely willing to spend a lot of money to get the extravagant accommodations that will make your space one of a kind. So unless you want to end up with a house that feels more like a hotel than a home, you need to have at least a few ideas going in. And here are some of the grandest additions that you could hope to incorporate.

1. His and hers…everything. If you’ve got the space, there’s no reason you can’t split rooms so that everyone gets the style they prefer. His and hers bedrooms may not be a must, but bathrooms and closets certainly are if you want the feel of luxury. And you may want to think about other spaces in the home that beg to be owned and operated by one sex or the other, such as a man-cave for him and a yoga studio for her (just for example). Don’t hesitate to split the space so that each occupant can have his or her own getaway filled with the pricy pieces that make living the highlife worthwhile.
2. Classic re-creations. If you’ve visited the grandest residences across the globe and found your space somewhat lacking by comparison, there’s no better way to upgrade than by taking the experience home with you in a very real way. No, you don’t have to cause an international incident by swiping a chandelier or gilded panels from Versailles. Simply take a few photos to show your interior decorator so that you can re-create the look and feel of these lavish rooms in your own space.
3. Gourmet kitchen and spa bathroom. They say that the most expensive areas to remodel are the kitchen and bathrooms, and if you’re sparing no expense on upgrades then you shouldn’t hesitate to populate these rooms with resort amenities. Your kitchen should feature plenty of work and storage space, as well as the latest appliances and gadgets on the market. And bathrooms should come complete not only with spa tubs, showerheads galore, and perhaps even a sauna, but also out-of-this-world extras like a heated mud bath, a wall-mounted body dryer, and even a diamond-studded or gold-plated toilet.
4. No faux. Luxury is only partially in the design; the larger portion of what makes a space feel rich is the materials used throughout, from flooring, walls and other surfaces to furniture and finishing touches (like the fixtures). If you want a truly opulent space, you can’t afford to overlook these details, and you definitely can’t go with faux.
5. Bring the outdoors in. Whether you’re into mounting rare animal heads on the wall or you want to create a Zen garden in your living room, one of the most interesting ideas in luxury interior design involves creating outdoor spaces on the inside. So lay down some hardwood slats (like tigerwood or Ipe decking), bring in plenty of plant life, build out a koi pond, and install a lot of windows and a watering system. You may have to hire a gardener to tend to your life-sized terrarium, but you’ll never again have to leave your home to enjoy the great outdoors.