10 Home Decor Tips to Spruce Up your Space
When we moved, I was determined to make this house a home. I had a general idea about how I wanted the space to look, but that involved paint colors and furniture, not the smaller details. There was a vibe I was going for, but I wasn’t sure how to bring it all together.
Did I get distracted by Pinterest when I was supposed to be unpacking boxes? Absolutely! Was time spent sitting on our fantastically comfortable new couch while also staring down completely blank walls in an attempt to conjure decor ideas? You bet! And I truly think that it’s coming together, albeit slowly. Because let’s face it, a house doesn’t become a home in a day, especially if you’re starting fresh or working with a blank slate like I was when we moved. But you don’t have to move to a completely new house just to change up your decor! You can spruce up whatever you’ve got right now, and I’m here to share the tips that I’ve gathered from incessant research (and a lot of trial and error). Ready? Let’s get to it.
1) Declutter and organize.
Before adding any new decor to your space, take some time to clear it up first. I’m not saying that you’ve got to make it look like no one lives there ever - people living in a home make messes! But getting rid of things you don’t ever use can make your home feel more spacious and inviting. Also, don’t just trash those things that you deem unnecessary. That phrase “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” truly comes into play here. Gift something to a friend, donate to a local resale store, or have a garage sale! Let’s not be wasteful here, folks.
2) Mix textures and patterns.
You know how we were told not to mix patterns in our outfits? That doesn’t apply here. Differing textures and patterns can add depth and interest to your rooms. Combine a rough surface with a smoother one, or mix in a bold pattern with a few solid colors, and your space will instantly become more visually appealing.
3) Play with lighting.
Lighting can completely transform the feel of a room. Did you know that there’s different tones of white light? Light bulbs often have warm and cool tones notated right on the box now, and let me tell you, the difference between “warm white” and “daylight white” in a bulb is very stark. Aside from that, simply incorporating a mix of overhead lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting creates a warm and inviting atmosphere in a room that may have felt a bit harsh before.
4) Bring in nature.
Incorporating plants and flowers into your decor can bring life and freshness into your home. You can add a bunch of different indoor plants to different rooms for this touch of nature. But don’t worry if you don’t have a green thumb, or you’ve got pets that chow down on plants like it’s their only source of food. Because sure, having the real thing in a room creates a nice, clean feel, but fake plants have come a long way from looking incredibly, obviously fake. We have at least one fake plant in every room of our house now, so we’ve got the nature vibe without fear of the cat ingesting something that isn’t safe or the dog digging through a pot of dirt. (Please, if you’ve got pets and you want to have live, indoor plants, make double sure that each plant you bring into your home is 100% safe for your pets! Just because they’ve never eaten a plant before doesn’t mean they won’t try it once or twice.)
5) Use mirrors.
Mirrors can make a space feel larger and brighter. You can place them strategically to reflect natural light and to create the illusion of more space. I found a gold-framed mirror with a geometric pattern that I loved, and it’s the accent piece of our entryway right now. There are a ton of decor options for mirrors, so keep an eye out for one that fits with your vision!
6) Personalize with art and photos.
Displaying art and personal photos can add character to your home. You can create a gallery wall or a few bigger statement pieces to showcase your personality. We recently purchased two picture ledges and mounted them in our living room. I grabbed photo frames of all sizes and now there’s an assortment of our favorite moments as the centerpiece of our living space - it’s one of my favorite additions to the decor so far! Also high on the list of favorites is the framed artwork my daughter has made. There were a few pieces that she crafted at school which she was so very proud of, and we matted and framed them, and now they’re on display for everyone to see. She’s so proud and it brings in a burst of color that has high sentimentality for us as well.
7) Experiment with color.
Don’t be afraid to test out colors in your decor. This was something that was important to me because I fell in love with a set color palette before we even moved into the house. It’s been the base for my decor, but I’ve also added various accent colors that help guide my purchasing choices when I’m looking at new pieces to add in now. You can add color through paint and furniture to start, but cheaper and easier options come from the accessories and accent pieces. You’d be surprised how a few pops of color can really liven up a room.
8) Invest in quality pieces.
I’m not saying that you’ve got to find the most expensive items on the market every time you got to the store for something new. But when it comes to furniture and larger decor pieces, quality over quantity is key. You want to invest in timeless pieces that are going to last a long time and add value to your home. Trends and fashionable ideas change so quickly, and if you want to keep up with those, you absolutely can! If you’ve got quality pieces as your starting point, you can add and replace small accent pieces, change up your wall art, even paint a wall a different color as you please. Your decor choices can and will change, but having those quality, timeless pieces makes your decor re-do a lot easier and less expensive.
9) Layer rugs.
Layering rugs is a fun way to add texture and warmth to your floors. Mix and match different sizes and patterns to create a stylish look that cozy and unique to you.
10) Don’t forget the details.
Pay attention to smaller details like throw pillows, curtains, and decorative accents. These finishing touches can tie a room together and elevate your overall decor style. This is the stage where I’m at now (except for the painting that I’m refusing to do because it takes forever). It took me a while, but I’ve gotten an idea of my personal style now, and it makes things both easier and harder when shopping for new decor accent pieces. It’s harder because not everything I see fits the mold, but easier because when I know, I really know. I was on the hunt for something to add to our fireplace mantel and while I saw a bunch of pretty things every time I went to a store, none of them felt right. It took some time, but I passed by something at the antique store the other day that ticked all the boxes of my personal decor style. I grabbed that and then immediately found three more things that could go with it, all because of finding this one thing. Now all four of those things are accenting our mantel and it feels more complete, all because of accent pieces.
Just remember this above everything else: it’s your home. You can decorate your own home however you see fit. These tips are just some ideas that really helped me with my decor, but everyone is different. Do whatever feels right for you!
