Eight Home Decorating Essentials

If your struggling with pulling a room or look together these tips will help you create the space you’ve been dreaming of! These seemingly simple eight elements of design are incredibly impactful in the completion of a room and home.

One: Mirrors

Mirrors not only make a room look bigger but they also add a lot of visual interest. When placed across from natural light or a lamp light they can brighten a space by spreading that light in multiple directions. Etched glass or glass layered with a design can allow the mirror to serve a dual purpose as artwork as well.

Two: Rugs

Flooring grounds a space and adds consistency to a room. Most floors carry the same color and pattern throughout a space making multiple spaces feel cohesive and bigger. However, sometimes you want to define one area without changing the flooring or spending thousands of dollars in flooring inlays. A rug can define the space while bringing in color and pattern. Rugs act as a grounding foundation which has the incredible ability to tie a room together. If your room doesn’t feel finished try adding a rug, play with shapes, colors, and textures until you find that perfect balance.

Three: Lights

No room is functional without light. It’s essential for making the room fill bright and airy or calm and cozy. Depending on the layout of the room you can play off the natural light from windows during the day and play with the layout of light at night. Adding a freestanding lamp in a corner or side table lamp at the end of a couch will give depth to your space while adding visual interest. This will give you the opportunity to portray your artistic or eclectic side without it feeling overwhelming.

Four: Art

I’m not talking about the cluster of family photos in free-standing photo frames randomly placed throughout your home or the photo gallery wall you’ve made down the hallway with a couple of quotes (although the second one could be a very visually pleasing artistic piece). I’m referencing artistic pieces that speak to your creative side. Using (non-photo) art pieces, either hanging on your wall or placed on top of tables or shelves should express your personal style while being neutral enough to be used year around. There are two types of art: seasonal and staple.

Staple pieces are those items you use year around. They match your overall design and are neutral enough to match anything they are paired with.
Seasonal pieces are those interchangeable pieces that can be switched out to match the current season or holiday.

Five: Decorative Pillows

Ah, Pillows. I have a fetish with pillows! They add depth, visual interest, texture, and color to a room. They are easily interchangeable and completely customizable. They can be used anywhere and for many purposes. There are a few things to consider when adding this essential piece to your home: Fill, Size, Shape, Location, Texture, Color, and Design. Check out our article on Decorative Pillows for an in-depth look at choosing the right pillows for your home.

Six: Baskets

No, not the Longaberger or wicker baskets you remember getting a splinter from as a child. I’m talking about rattan or seagrass baskets. Baskets with intricate weaves, pliable sides, and endless shapes, sizes, and colors. Use these baskets to hide toys and blankets or display books and trinkets. Think of baskets as an extension of storage and an element of design. Choose pieces that fit your space and needs according to how you function in that room. Don’t choose a large, rectangular laundry basket to store toys for your living room, leave those in your laundry room, instead, choose three round, tapered baskets with pops of colors that will be both functional and visual! But, baskets don’t have to be weaves of soluble fiber. You can use metal baskets as well!

Seven: Books

You don’t have to love reading to make your house feel smart. In fact, you don’t even have to flip a page. Books where being used in design long before Joanna Gaines made it popular on her hit tv show Fixer Upper. However, she did a fantastic job showcasing their use in design. Use them on shelves, tables, or as stand-alone pieces to bring color and balance. You can stand them up, lay them down; showcase their colorful covers or create a neutral pallet with texture by turning them so their pages face outwards. However, you choose to use them, follow in Joanna’s footsteps and make them apart of your everyday decor. Don’t think you need to run out and buy a bunch of antique books. Pull the protective paper cover off the hardback books you already have; you’ll find they will display great without having to spend a ton of money.

Eight: Plants

I love indoor plants. My mom loved vines and showcased them above her antique pantry she turned into a storage cabinet for our pool towels. Plants are a great way to bring color, texture, and dimension into your home. Not only do they appeal to the eye they also help clean the air! Finding the right plant for each room can be a little tricky. Pay attention to the light in the room and any recommendation on light exposure for the plant you are interested in. Some plants do great in dryer rooms like the living room while others thrive in more humid ones like the bathroom.

Have fun with these elements. Express your style and tastes. Bringing a room together is often simpler than you might think. Mix and match these elements in your room to create the space you’ve been longing for.

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