These easy home decorating tips will have you channelling your inner interior designer in no time.
Mirrors Make Rooms Look Bigger
Mirrors reflect light around the room and create an illusion of depth, making even the smallest spaces feel more expansive. By strategically placing mirrors opposite windows or natural light sources, you can instantly brighten up the area and create the illusion of added square footage.
Don’t Be Too Trendy
While decorating in the latest style is tempting, it’s wise to avoid going too trendy. Instead, opt for timeless pieces and classic styles that will stand the test of time, ensuring that your home remains appealing for years to come.
Use Something You Love for Inspiration
If you have a painting or other piece of artwork you love, select a prominent colour from that piece and use it as an accent colour to anchor your space. Incorporating elements that hold personal significance can create an ambiance that truly reflects your individuality and makes you feel at home.
Keep Furniture Away from the Wall
When arranging furniture in your home, try to keep it away from the wall. By creating a bit of space between the walls, you’ll add depth and visual interest to the room, making it feel more cozy and inviting.
Hang Artwork at Eye Level
Speaking of artwork, pictures and other framed pieces should hang at eye level (approximately 57″ off the ground). By doing so, you ensure that the focal point of the room is at a comfortable viewing height, allowing everyone to appreciate your artwork without straining.
Blend Textures
Don’t be afraid to mix and blend different textures when decorating your home. Combining contrasting textures like smooth and rough, soft and hard, or shiny and matte adds depth and visual intrigue to your space, creating a more dynamic and inviting atmosphere.
Slow and Steady Wins the Race
Fight the urge to run out and purchase everything in one swoop. Take the time to find out exactly what you want, slowly filling the space with items you love.
Change Out Your Hardware
Updating your hardware, such as doorknobs, drawer pulls, and cabinet handles, can instantly refresh the look of your home. It’s a simple and cost-effective way to add a touch of style and personalization to your living spaces.
Area Rugs Can Divide Your Living Space
Using area rugs to divide your living space is a smart decorating choice as it adds visual interest and creates different zones within an open floor plan. Additionally, area rugs bring warmth, texture, and colour to your home, enhancing the overall ambiance and creating a welcoming atmosphere.
Make Big Statements in Small Rooms
In small rooms, making big statements with your décor can create a sense of visual intrigue and make the space feel more dynamic. By incorporating bold patterns, vibrant colours, or eye-catching focal points, you can distract from the room’s size, making it feel larger and more inviting.
Less Is More
If it feels like too much, it probably is. By showcasing a few carefully chosen focal pieces amidst clean, uncluttered spaces, homeowners can create an inviting atmosphere that allows each element to shine while promoting a sense of sophistication.
Incorporate Fresh Flowers
Incorporating fresh flowers in your home décor not only adds a burst of natural beauty but also breathes life into your space. Fresh flowers have the power to uplift your mood and enhance the visual appeal of any room.
Focus on Big Items First
Larger pieces such as beds, sofas and dining room tables set the tone for the rest of the room. Choose these items carefully, then work your way out, adding smaller complimentary articles as you go.
Mix and Match Frames
Mixing and matching photo frames is a great way to add visual interest and personal touch to your home décor. By combining different styles, sizes, and finishes, you can create an eclectic and dynamic gallery that reflects your unique personality and brings depth to your space.
If You Don’t Love It, Don’t Buy It
In-home decorating, it’s crucial to prioritize your personal style and taste. Don’t settle for anything less than what you love when making purchases for your home, as surrounding yourself with things you like will create a space that truly reflects your unique personality.
Utilize Clutter Catch-Alls
Keep your spaces organized by incorporating clutter catch-alls such as baskets, totes or other storage solutions. They add a touch of style to your space and help you keep things tidy, creating an aesthetically pleasing and functional environment.
Go Big or Stay Home
Including a big statement piece in your home décor instantly adds character to any space. Whether it’s large piece of artwork, a unique furniture item, or a bold lighting fixture, a statement piece becomes the focal point that elevates the overall design and creates a memorable impression for anyone who enters the room.
Ponder Your Paint Colours
As paint colours tend to change hues under different lighting conditions, consider painting a test patch before committing to an entire wall.
Utilize Floating Shelves
Floating shelves are a versatile and practical addition to any home décor. They provide functional storage solutions and allow you to display your favourite décor items, such as books, plants, or decorative trinkets, creating an organized and appealing display that maximizes wall space and adds a touch of personality.
Drapes Make a Room Taller
By hanging drapes or curtains above the window, you trick the eye into thinking the ceiling is higher than it really is. Floor-to-ceiling drapes elongate the visual appearance of windows, drawing the eyes upward and creating a sense of verticality, ultimately giving the room a taller and more spacious feel.
Update What You Already Have
Updating what you already have is a cost-effective way to refresh your home décor and breathe new life into your space. By repurposing existing furniture, changing the placement of décor items, or applying a fresh coat of paint, you can transform your home without breaking the bank.
The Rule of Three
Items arranged in odd numbers automatically add more visual appeal. Try arranging knick-knacks in groups of three (or five, seven, etc.) while incorporating items of varying heights. Whether it’s grouping décor items, arranging furniture, or selecting colours, sticking to this principle helps create a harmonious and cohesive aesthetic that’s pleasing to the eye.
Matte Paint Brightens a Room
Thanks to its subdued finish, matte paint is known to disperse light, creating a softer, more diffused effect that helps brighten the space without overwhelming it with shine. White and neutral paint colours are perfect for creating a bright and airy feel.
Produce Makes for a Great Décor Piece
Are you looking for the perfect centrepiece for your kitchen island or dining room table? Adding fresh produce as décor is a simple yet effective way to enhance the aesthetics of your home. The vibrant colours and organic shapes of fruits and vegetables bring a natural and lively element to any space, creating a refreshing and inviting atmosphere.
See: 7 Ways to Decorate With Fresh Produce
Minimize Your Need to Match
Too many matching items can make a room look generic and bland. While a few complimenting accessories will add cohesiveness, a little juxtaposition goes a long way. Focus on creating visual interest by combining different textures, patterns, and colours that complement each other to add depth and personality to your home.
Outdoor Fabrics for the Win
Not only can outdoor fabrics (i.e. polyester) add texture to a room, but they’re also resistant to water, stains, fading, and other daily wear and tear – ideal for homes with pets and children.
Pendant Lighting Requires Three Feet
Rule of thumb: Pendant lights should hang 30 to 36” above a given surface (i.e. kitchen table or counter). This space is crucial to prevent any visual obstruction and ensures sufficient illumination to the area below, creating a well-balanced and functional lighting arrangement.
Plants Liven Up a Room (Literally)
Plants don’t just improve air quality; they also add a welcome pop of colour to any space and make for a perfect empty-corner décor solution.
Layer Your Lighting
Experts recommend adding three layers of lighting to every room: ambient, task and accent. By combining these layers, you can achieve a well-balanced and versatile lighting scheme that enhances your space's visual appeal and functionality.
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Originally published May 5, 2022, updated July 28, 2023
Photo credits: shutterstock.com
Posted by Terry Paranych on
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