These 5 Easy Decorating Tips to make your home shine, can be lifesavers.
I am far from an interior designer. Heck, I barely live in a house long enough to even decorate. (If you followed my home tour, you already know why.)
So if you’re like myself, these 5 easy decorating tips can hopefully take the stress out of decorating, and give you a good jump start on how to decorate a room… Or even a whole house!
1. Decorate an interior door
If I were only giving you ONE tip on a way to decorate your home, I’d start with this one. Actually, it’s one of those, “Why didn’t I think of this sooner,” tidbits, that make you wanna do a “facepalm.”
Yes really. If you haven’t done this, you’re missing out on a HUGE decorating impact that could really add sparkle to your home and living space.
In my house, I added a boxwood wreath to my laundry room door, and I can’t tell you how often I look at it and smile. Why? Before, the door was just a blank-bare space. Now, this pop of color makes the room seem more inviting and breaks up all of the monotone gray and white wall. I’m not stopping there. More interior doors will be getting a little something added to them as well.
2. Showcase those Family Photos and Art
The other day I shared with you, the photo wall gallery that I created in my living area. If you don’t have the wall space to create a wall gallery, that’s absolutely ok! You can easily do a cluster of photo frames on a shelf, entry table, countertop, etc.
By placing family photos around your house, not only reminds you on a daily basis how much you love those important people in your life, but it also gives your guests a conversation piece when they come visit.
Adding art can always be a great conversation starter too. Now I don’t mean “art,” as in, goĀ out and buy a large portrait that leaves everyone standing in front of it, trying toĀ “translate,” what it’s saying to you. I mean “art,” as in a little custom printable that hits close to home. Like in my wall gallery above, I have framed art with our last name, first names, and the year my hubby and I were married. I also included images that mean something to us, for another personal touch. Like the black and white photo of the airplane? My husband is a pilot, and by adding this to our wall collage, I wanted him to have a piece of the puzzle too. (Or here’s an idea for DIY wall art, too!)
There’s just something comfortable about walking in to someone’s home and being able to look around and feel like you know them on a personal level. Just by simply looking around and seeing what they’re all about.
3. Decorate for the Season
Now I’ll admit, I don’t ALWAYS follow this advice, and some days are better than others.
With my kiddos still little and acting like a “sponge,” soaking up every little tidbit they can possibly learn in one day, I love incorporating decorating for every season in my home. By creating a least a small space of “red and pink hearts,” gives me a chance to explain to our boys that another holiday is fast approaching, and we get to use that holiday to have just another reason to tell the people we care about, that we love them.
But I’ll go ahead and admit this too… I’m a little selfish. I like decorating for the seasons just for my own self. I love being able to celebrate {and decorate} whatever little moment we’re in. I guess that’s the “girly,” in me.
The beauty of it? You can either go all out like I do for Christmas… or you can just print one little printable off the internet, frame it, and plop it on the counter. Like I did for St. Patrick’s Day last year. Easy, simple, and quick!
Get this free St. Patrick’s Day Printable here: “I love my little leprechauns”-Free Printable!
4. More Doesn’t Always Mean Better
So I’m far from a pack rat. Maybe that’s why it’s easy for me to suggest this. As often as we move, I get a chance to chuck anything that I don’t want anymore. I give it away, sell it on craigslist, or simply throw it in the trash.
But I have a feeling that even if we didn’t move as often we do, I’d still go through and do a clean sweep at least twice a year. There’s just something about having that “fresh,” “clean,” feeling of starting over in a space. By doing this, I truly think it helps me maintain the “more doesn’t always mean better,” trick of decorating.
Have you ever been anywhere, where there are so many things hanging and sitting around, that just gives you a headache trying to take it all in!? I haven… it’s called sitting on my couch watching the tv series, “Hoarders.” Ha! Kidding… but really.
In the photo above, that you saw in my home office & craft room tour, you’ll see that I had a large focal point {the mirror}, and just a few little supporting tidbits scattered around it.
“Less,” of what you really love, rather than more of everything you’ve ever collected, can do a couple of things. 1. Not overwhelm your living space. 2. Reduce the amount of dusting you’ll have to do. BONUS!
5. Decorate for “you.”
I am COMPLETELY guilty of this. I’m sure I’ll even make this same mistake again this week.
Typical mistake moment for me: Browsing Pinterest, see an amazing room reveal on a fellow bloggers page…
Pin it… click on it… go to the online store…add one of the items she used to my cart… buy it…have it delivered…open box… wonder where in the heck I’m going to put it…and set it aside until I figure out the right place for it.
{But I just HAD to have it, because it looked good in her home. Granted, it more than likely doesn’t go with anything else I have in my home. But dangit… it looked good in the photo, so I was inspired to do something.}
Ask me one day what my taste in decorating is, and I’ll tell you “oh… modern.” The next, “Oh traditional.” The next, “Vintage…definitely vintage.” Really? Make up your mind already crazy lady!
So stick to what you love. Just because it looked good in someone else’s house, doesn’t meant that it will look good in yours. Before you click “order now,” or throw that item in to your shopping cart at the store… think, “Do I have a place for this? Does it fit the style I’m going with?”
Practice what you preach Jessica. Practice what you preach.
Pin for Later:
Pearl Moore says
I agree that interior designing can really be a daunting task for any homeowner. And personally i would want to design and decorate my own room to have my personality. Thanks for these 5 tips, they were a great help.
Jessica says
Aw, you bet! Thank you so much for stopping by! š
Joanne says
This is so helpful, thanks for sharing! I’ve been thinking a lot about number 2 (with some simple family photos and such). Lovely post and blog, by the way! <3
http://thoughtsintiffanyblue.blogspot.com/
Jessica says
Awww you bet! Im so glad you were able to stop by!
Kelly says
I love when you give your opinion on decor for the home!!! You are so creative!!
The boxwood wreath is perfect! It adds green to your home! Love it!
The collage looks amazing!! It a great idea to add your own families personal touch! I guess we would add a picture of a giant tooth; lol
Can’t wait to see the next blog! Thank you!!
Jessica says
Hey!! Thank you so much for dropping by and leaving a note! I would “DIE,” if you put up a picture of a giant tooth! Lol! š
Nikki says
I love the look of your craft room! And you’re smart to tie in the holidays with caring for one another. They are much more than gifts and candy.
Jessica says
Thank you so much! I really appreciate you dropping me a note! I agree, there’s always room to tie in showing someone you care! š