10 Decor Tips That Will Make Your Home Look Amazing
Today I’m sharing some of my very favorite decor tips. My head swims with decor ideas all the time!!!! So much so that turning my mind off is often a no-go especially when I try to sleep! You don’t need to be an interior designer to have a beautiful home that reflects you and your lifestyle you just need to “borrow” tips from other like minds and use them in your own way in your home!
I hope you find these TIPS very useful and use them in your home!!!
THE HIGH/LOW MIX IS MAGICAL
I think this is the decorating idea I love the most and probably use the most in my home. Mixing more expensive items with bargains is my favorite way to decorate. Like my Curlacue chest with a big bargain chippy lantern. LOVE the look. Or mixing an upscale mirror in my dining room with old chippy shutters and white chamber pot lids!
Also mixing refined with a bit of rustic knocks down the stuffiness of a room and makes it more welcoming.
If left to my own natural design tendencies I would decorate quite formal. But formal can look staid! And I want my home to look beautiful, approachable and comfortable. So I’ve learned the high/low mix is quite magical!
Check out your own rooms. And see if the high/low mix will work for you!
GIVE IT SOME TEXTURE
Every room in your home should have texture. Texture is the ability of our eyes (through our brains) to feel the different surfaces in a room. Rough, smooth, scratchy, soft, lofty, shiny, hard, nubby and a so much more. Don’t overlook texture or a room will feel flat.
And mix up texture! Your eyes, brain, and room will thank you!
ADD PATTERN
Pattern brings life, interest and personal style to a room. I love mixing pattern even in my most neutral rooms. If you are a little shy about mixing patterns pillows and throws are a good place to start.
A good rule of thumb is the 60/30/10 rule. Sixty percent your favorite pattern, 30 percent a complimentary and different scale pattern and 10 percent an accent pattern. Keep them in the same color family for a no-fail mixed pattern look.
THE FOCAL POINT
Each room should have a focal point. Some rooms the focal point may be a total standout and other rooms it may be more subtle. The focal point is usually the first thing you notice when you walk in a room. It calls attention to itself and a room is usually decorated around it.
Some common but great focal points are…
- an amazing, large painting
- a welcoming fireplace and mantel
- a well-appointed bed
- a big architectural piece
- a table with a pretty centerpiece
LESS IS OFTEN MORE
It’s fun to decorate and sometimes I don’t quite know when to stop. I’ll just keep decorating and embellishing! So, when I’m decorating a room I must go back and edit, edit, edit!!!!! I’ve been looking at my home a lot lately and thinking I might be moving out some furniture to give more “breathing” space to what I have!
I like less and larger than more and smaller. I’d take a big wall clock over a grouping of small pictures any day! Or one large spectacular vignette over a collecting of things scattered about.
You can see a post about when less is best HERE.
MIRROR YOUR PERSONALITY
Decorating is all about translating your personality and style into your living space. So fill it with what you love and things that make it easy to live in. Nothing is sadder than going into someone’s home and not really knowing who lives there. If your home lacks personality it is probably yours!
It is so important that my home reflects me and how we live. And it’s also imperative that StoneGable feels welcoming and authentic to us! I love classic furnishings but I also love a touch of whimsy!
COMFORT IS IMPORTANT
It’s important to keep a clean and well-appointed home but it should be comfortable at the same time. Make comfort primary!
If you knock on my door on any given day you will probably find me in comfy clothes and an apron. And that’s perfect for our not-so-perfect home. We live very comfortably here and love to sprawl out to watch tv or read a book or play a family game.
Even when we are entertaining and the table and menu are on the formal side, we want our guest to be relaxed and very very comfortable!
Style and comfort can go hand in hand!
LAYER, LAYER, LAYER
Layering decor is not always the most natural decorating thing we do. But it’s probably the most important skill you can acquire. And you CAN acquire it! Seriously, study rooms you love and take notice of the layers in the room. Then practice on a room in your home!
One of the ways to really add beauty and interest to a room is to layer decor!
I have a great post with a fun video that shows you how layer decor like a pro! Click HERE
MIX DESIGN STYLES
Oh, PLEASE mix design styles when you decorate. It will give your room personality and make it one of a kind. And don’t we all want fabulous one of a kind rooms in our homes? Yes, I know we do!
My style is Traditional or Classic American styling mixed with a little refined farmhouse, industrial, and a nod to a bit of cottage. Any one of those decor styles alone would be soooooo boring!!!! And not me. I love an eclectic look. Or at least sort of eclectic!
Mix 18th century with cottage and cottage with a tad of modern and modern with Scandinavian and Scandinavian with industrial…
You can mix so many styles. Try the 80/20 rule. Eighty percent of the style you have or love and twenty percent of a fun style to shake things up a little!
Learn how to know your decorating style… and then amp it up HERE.
ADD SOMETHING ORGANIC
Living things bring life to a room. Just fact! There are so many ways to bring organics to a room. My favorite ways are cut flowers, one big bold plant or a bowl of organic balls like willow balls.
Make sure each room has something life-giving!
Here are some ideas for you…
- moss balls
- easy to care for plants
- a bowl or dish of smooth rocks
- fruit
- plants
- flowers
- driftwood
- coral
- grapevine balls
- a bowl of seashells or starfish
- big green leaves in large bottles
If you follow these easy to do, smart designer tips your home will look amazing! Work room by room and do a little bit every day! You won’t believe the difference.
Happy Decorating, Friend!
Thanks for the great decorating tips! I find that when you share helpful tips like these it helps me look at my a little more critically as I can get complacent from time to time and just don’t “see” as I should! Thanks again!!
Hi! I love your window blinds. What are they made of? Do you know where I can find them?
Hi Lisa, the blinds I think you are talking about are bamboo shade. I got them at Lowe’s. I took my measurements and bought and had the shades cut there. Hope this helps.
I bought similar shades at Lowe’s and had the width cut there. But the length is far too long. Did you have to shorten yours or did Lowe’s do that, too? Thanks for the terrific post. I love a checklist!
Hi Chris, they had them the length I wanted them.
Thank you for always sharing such wonderful decorating tips! Your blog is so wonderful and I learn something new each week!!!
Thanks for the great tips! Just packed away all of my Patriotic decorations and pulled out the “summer, sunflowers, colorful” stuff. This was a perfect time to read this….need to go around and edit some things. I am still adjusting to apartment living ( even though it lives like a home and is 1790 sq. feet) – I purged so much stuff and am trying NOT to purchase more ( though the new At Home store is tempting…) and use what I have. I love the idea of something organic – I have some plants I can rotate in – so thank you for the timely post. http://www.ournewvista.com
Great tips,I like to mix it up a bit, my problem is I keep adding one more thing.I’m working on editing and keeping things a little more simple.
This post came at a perfect time. I might have read this before but it’s just what I needed today! I was struggling with my new shelves that my husband and I made out of my old hutch he disassembled. I knew how to style my hutch but these shelves look totally different! Everything seems flat. I’ve broken all your suggestions!!
I’m going to start over. Apply these ten. It will look much better I know!! Thank you for keeping your posts timely and useful?! I needed a bit of help and now I know where to go to finally tackle this decorating dilemma on my own.
Oh my, as you describe your “style” and I look around my home, you describe me. I love to also decorate and my biggest problem, I don’t quite know when to stop.
Maxine, take a picture of your room and look at it. Really look at it. You will see what needs to be removed. It’s hard to stop I know!
So glad to read that I’m not the only one who lays awake at night redecorating rooms in my head! I love all things home and yours is my favorite decorating blog. Thank you for all the beautiful ideas that you share with us!
I had a kitchen question.
We have all black appliances. Our oven just went out. I would like to upgrade to a more quality kitchen range, but the ones I like are stainless steel. Can those two type finishes be mixed in a kitchen or would that look weird?
Love all your posts. I just pinned the napkin folding one also.
Hi Kathy,
Why don’t you send me some images of your kitchen so I can give you a better opinion? Without seeing your kitchen I would say I would not mix finishes when it comes to appliances. Too much going on in a small space.
I definitely live the less is more motto and love a comfy home, but all of your tips are so important and your home and style is gorgeous!!
Happy August. Thank you for informative content.
I love your site! I get so many great ideas as our decorating style is very similar. One question: Can you please list the source for the cream, gold and black throw pillow on your sofa?
Hi Kim, I found it last fall season at the Pottery Barn
Love your suggestion about mixing formal and casual. I have a historical home 1854 and everything is so formal. It seems appropriate for the house, but it needs a more comfortable feel and use. Difficult to achieve alone. I think I need to take one room at a time. But need recommendations to soften the look. Thank you for your great suggestions, and I agree natural things always make a room come to life. Your post and cheery attitude brighten my day. You are the best!
KMJ
Thanks, Kathleen, I may do a post soon about how to soften a formal room
I’d like that too!
I love reading your blog. How do I find my decorating style? My house if very traditional, but it needs freshening up. I have decluttered but don’t know where to start.
Thanks for your suggestions.
Ann, you will be so happy to hear I am creating HOW TO FIND YOUR DECORATING course as I write. It will go on presale (at a discounted price) January 30th. There will be a couple posts about it here on StoneGable. Keep your eye out for it!
I am, yet again, amazed. thank you
Thanks, Ivory! How kind!
Hi Yvonne, I love all your posts! You offer so much advice and inspiration. I wish you would offer more information on where you buy your beautiful things. I love your simple topiary. I love your big wall clock in your living room. Things like this.
Thank You ? Janet
Hi Janet, I’m working on that. The big clock is from Ballard Designs and the topiaries I found in a vintage shop. Hope this helps a little.
As always, spot on tips and advice! I’ve referred your blog to many customers who shop at the home decor store where I work. Often they become overwhelmed with choices and can’t see how to evolve their rooms in order to update them. BTW, gorgeous home!
Thanks, Jina!
You give such great advice! I am glad you urge people to mix styles. It keeps a room looking fresh. Many thanks for your posts!
Gabrielle
I sure enjoyed these tips, and needed it today! My husband and I are currently painting my dark oak 18-year old cabinets a warm white with oil rubbed bronze hardware. So far I am LOVING IT!!!
Karen, I love to repaint furniture!Sounds beautiful!
Beautiful! I’m wondering where you found your poppies?
Thank you!
Jenny
Hi Jennifer, I found the poppies in the winter at a local decor shop. Sorry, I don’t have a source, but I’d try Etsy. They have beautiful blooms.
Yvonne,
I just love the tan and white throw that is seen in many of your photos. I am looking for something similar with texture in neutral tones and would love to know where you purchased yours? Blessings to you and yours, stay healthy!!
Cindi
Hi Cindi, I found this throw locally but I’ve seen it at Target. Hope this helps.
Love the whole feel and welcoming look of your newer home….the chandelier is intriguing. I never would have thought to use something like that. That’s why I love your blog. Thank you.
Where can I find similar.
Thank you for all of these tips, I really enjoy your blog! I love the flooring in your home, can you tell me the manufacturer and what color the wood floor is? Thanks!
Dear Yvonne, please know that although I am not one to ‘copy’ ideas or even purchase an identical pillow on occasion; I often find myself being ‘creative by example.’ Gosh, I don’t know where that incredible pillow came from. Your biggest fan, Karen
I love the wicker light over your kitchen table. Can you share where you found it? We are redoing our kitchen and would love something like this over our table.
‘If your home lacks personality it is probably yours!’ ?????????? Did you really mean to say this?
LOL! Decoratively speaking. We need to infuse our wonderful personalities into every room in our home. You don’t lack personality. Sometimes we just don’t add our spin and attitude to our homes.
As I read through this, I looked around my own rooms. Check, check & check! I also like to add a touch of whimsy to some rooms. It makes me smile and I think others must too. We mustn’t take ourselves too seriously.
I wanted to add that coffee table books are a great way to add a little of yourself to a room. I have garden books out at the moment but at other times they are decor books or ones on exotic places I have lived or travelled to. They speak of my interests and are there for company to flip through.
Great tip Joanna! Thanks for sharing.
Inspiring post! Can you share where you purchased the square water hyacinth baskets in your white chest in family room? I have been looking for some like those. Thanks!
Here you go:https://rstyle.me/+AXvdOk7GBX8sp1tAp087iw
Thanks for sharing the tips.
Would you mind telling me where you found your draperies and the living room and dining area? The plaid-ish ones? They are so pretty! Thanks!
Hi Laurie, the drapes are actually striped. Look at Ballard Designs for them.
I love your living room, everything about it, the one with the gather sign, where did all your furniture come from, where can I get it, the rug, sofa, chairs, coffee table, Etc.
I am working on a “shop my house” page. If you are just a little patient I’ll have that up and running soon.
Absolutely beautiful! Are the white tulips real or faux? If they are faux, please share where you bought them.
Thank you
I love your rug in your living room. May I ask where you purchased it.
Hi Cindy, the rug came from Annie Selke but I don’t see it on her site right now. Sorry!
Hi Yvonne,
I love your decorating ideas…and you said one time on the blog to not spend too much money on rugs…do you have a favorite source for your rugs..li am looking for a faded faux oriental…8 by 10 or 12. Something easy on the feet? Thanks!
Holly
Yes, Holly! Give rugs.com a look.
First time to see this wonderful blog!!! So me…..so clean….so happy! Can you please give
details on drapes behind chair? Looks like linen with pearls! Love them. Would love description and where I might purchase them. Your taste is exquisite! I love to change my decorating pretty often. Thanks and keep the lovey ideas coming.
Hi Martha, I’m so thrilled you found us! Here are the drapes:https://rstyle.me/+wROjfEIur4sarXmg8oVY1Q
Love your tips. I am a traditional decorator who is very challenged. Putting down new hardwood floors and have dark maghogny furniture. Having a hard time finding a color thats just right.
I will keep reading All your tips.
Thanks
Go to Decorating School on my blog:https://www.stonegableblog.com/category/home-and-garden/decorating-school/. And there are lots of posts about how to decorate.