HOW TO LAYER DECOR LIKE A PRO

 

Today let’s talk about HOW TO LAYER DECOR LIKE A PRO! It’s really easy and with a little practice, you can create a beautiful, welcoming and interesting home. It’s all about layering, friends! Once you learn a few tricks and tips of the decor trade you can use this essential decorating technique in every room of your home!

I thought you might like to see my room as it goes from boring to much more interesting and curated!  Look carefully at the picture below as it transforms part of my living room!

 

How fun, right?

Here’s how the sofa area and coffee table started out…

 

Great bones but not very interesting. There is nothing to keep our eyes attention!

And here’s the same space with some layered decor…

Calm and neutral but way more interesting. Layering decor is really very easy to learn. Here are a few tricks that will help your rooms be more interesting and attractive!

  • use different texture
  • add layers of fabric
  • keep a tight color palette
  • add an organic item
  • coral items together
  • don’t overcrowd anything
  • don’t over accessorize
  • add items of different size
  • add items of different visual weight
  • use some symmetry in your decor but not everything should be symmetrical
  • go for a  balanced room
  • go for an overall curated look – layers should look effortless, but we know how it takes a lot of choosing the right items
  •  fewer items is most times better than too many
  • bigger items are better than lots of tiny things

When you are done layering your decor take a picture with your phone. Then take a long hard look at what the image shows you. You will be surprised how much you can learn from that little picture.

With practice and these layering tips, you can create beautiful spaces in your home!

You might like to follow me on Pinterest and see all the great things I’m finding to pin every day HERE.

 

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52 Comments

  1. Beautiful….I think I need to buy more pieces to use in layering.

  2. I want some of those buffalo plaid pillows and I think I am going to make some. They look so great on sofas and chairs.

    1. I love the picture! Where may I purchase the print?

  3. Our French Oasis says:

    Great tips, the best one of all, and you have suggested this before and I have taken your advice, is to take a photo, because that is how others tend to see the room, not as we see it with our own eyes. We tend to focus on certain things, it’s normal, but a photo gives us a far more general view. Great advice.

  4. I so appreciate you sharing this decor trick. I only started noticing this in magazines and have tried to do it …layering is such a great idea! Thank you!

  5. We are redecorating our family room, and I am just getting started thinking of new accessories. We are using our still good condition neutral sofa and buying 2 new beautiful leather club chairs. My hint of color inspiration is from a new area rug that we have purchased from Pottery Barn. It is a bluish background with other soft colors. I have never decorated with blue before and I think it will be a refreshing change. I am now starting to gather pillows and this post hits it right on the spot. The focal pillows are linen with soft colors of hydrangeas , and I think I will add some check pillows, with a larger neutral textural pillow behind them. Thanks for this inspiration and as always I really enjoy reading all that you write – it’s education and inspirational as well as fun.

  6. Thank you so much for this! I’ve always admired your decorating and I’m so grateful that you always explain how you get the look that your home has. Love it!!!

  7. I have been looking for these EXACT checkered pillows. Where did you find them?!

  8. Love all of the tips and tricks you give and then so us how to do it. I am getting ready for Christmas and want to do some layering for the holidays. I need to buy a couple more pillows. You have given me some great ideas.
    Have a lovely week and a wonderful Thanksgiving,
    Bev

  9. Thank you, your post today was very informative. I love the video of every step and the final picture.

  10. Great post on layering! It really does make all the difference!!

  11. I love the finished look of the pillows on he sofa and the coffee table. Perfect!

  12. Layering makes such a difference! Love the checkered pillows and that painting in the background between the windows. Where did you find that?

  13. Love the progressive snap shots. Really can see how it comes together

  14. Layering and texture make a world of difference in home décor, don’t they? The transformation of your room is lovely! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family!!!

  15. What a beautiful room. Could you tell me where I could purchase the painting?

  16. So pretty! And I love the progressive pictures. I have a question about your pillows. They look so pretty, but take up a lot of room on the sofa. What do you do with them when people are actually sitting on the sofa? Do you have a basket or something to put them in to avoid having them scattered all over the floor?

  17. You always have the best pillows, and the skill to combine them so beautifully. There are lots of good tips to take away from this post, thanks for another dose of eye candy?

  18. When you are hosting family and friends, what do you do with all of the pillows on the couch for people to sit down? It looks beautiful to layer but functional when people come over is my challenge. Throw in empty baskets?

    1. Exactly! Many people find it comfortable to snuggle in the large pillow at the end.

  19. How does one sit on the couch? Pick up a pillow and hold it in your lap, sit on the edge, or just head for the nearest chair instead? I really, really need to know because I love pillows, too, but find them awkward.
    Thanks,
    Emma

    1. Hi Emma, there is a much more practical solution than sitting on the edge of the sofa. I have a large basket in my living room that pillows go into when the sofa is in use.

  20. Norma Rolader says:

    WOW!!! How amazing just a few pieces can change the look thank you for sharing

  21. The progressive shots are awesome ! Love that it shows what accessories can do when placed correctly.

  22. Yes, I need more pillows. I love the little potted plant

  23. I love your decorative styles and tips. You pull things together beautifully, and I love it. Thanks for sharing.

  24. I also love pillows and have a few! it really changes things and the look is endless as long as there are pillows! thanks

  25. Pamela Haymes says:

    I love your sofa. Would you share information about it? Where you got it, brand, etc?

    1. Hi Pamela, my sofa is the Pottery Barn Comfort sofa. Foam wrapped down and performance fabric “flax”. I really like this sofa, but I don’t know if I an endorse Pottery Barns sofa.
      I’ve had a personal bad experience with one (not this one, it’s great) and have heard so many negative reports from readers.

  26. Judith Mangers says:

    I am looking for a round wicker basket like on your coffee table. Can you help me?

  27. I love decorating too ! I am in the process of simplifying and making my home more neutral, always a work in progress.I am a plaid girl and love your buffalo plaid pillows.

  28. Kristi Dominguez says:

    These are great tips! I love the colors you used here!

  29. Babychaser says:

    Thanks for sharing this. 🙂 I pinned it for when my living room is finished. 🙂

    Here from Sundays at Home.

    Blessings,
    Babychaser
    mamasbrush.wordpress.com

  30. I very much appreciate this chronological post, I was able to see the exact moment when the decor was enough, and then how you went on to make it stunning. Thank you, Yvonne.

  31. Donna M. Pruitt says:

    As always amazingly beautiful! I’m getting a new sofa this weekend and your inspiration is always welcome, thank you.

  32. This is such a great resource and very easy to understand. Thanks so much for creating this!

  33. Erin Bimson says:

    Hi Yvonne.
    Where did you get the picture behind the couch in your layering video? It’s the one with the houses. Very pretty.

  34. would you tell me the name or some identifying info on the art work behind the sofa – the building with 2 round trees in front? Or where you bought it? Thanks.

  35. sharon butler says:

    Good morning Yvonne.Hope I find you and Bobby in good health. I love the idea of taking a pic. Of the room.Sounds crazy .But I’m sure it will be interesting to see what I’m doing wrong.I’m sure it will never be quite as lovely as yours.But I will give it a try.Thank You once again for your generosity in preparing me to be a better decorator. LOVE AND BLESSINGS.

  36. Deeanna Harris says:

    Hi Sharon
    I have just come acroos your Blog and I LOVE IT! I have sifted through many Blogs and I have found your information to be the most helpful by far! Pretty pictures are nice but your blogs are very
    practical with terrific tips for being able to decorate my home .
    Thanks
    DeaanaMelbourne Australia

    1. Thank you so much Deeanna! It is may passion and goal to help home decorators become better bloggers.