It is always amazing to see how small accessories and decorative items make a huge impact in the way a room feels and looks. The right ones will make a space; the wrong ones will break it. It is as simple as that. From rugs and art to throw pillows and lighting, everything plays a small, yet vital, role in a house’s appeal, which is why it is great to know how to use them wisely.
Today, we will share some tips about how to revamp or, why not, add an entirely new look to a room the most inexpensive way, with decorative items! We will also reveal some common mistakes many homeowners make with their décor so you can pull together a room like a real pro!
Some Basics to Begin With:
1. Less is More
Although it can be quite tempting to purchase mass produced items to decorate the house, it is best to avoid filling it with every cheap thing you can find at your local home goods store. We suggest quality over quantity.
A unique piece will create a much bigger impact on your home’s feel and value than many little things that not only clutter the place but also dazzle (and distract) the eye.
2. The Right Size
Proportions will help create impressions and cultivate a sense of coziness. For example, in a large living area, we will never use a postage-stamp-size rug and vice versa. In a small wall, we will never place a huge artwork. Whatever accessories you choose, take your time. Scale and proportion should be on your mind before picking and placing them.
3. Combine Colours and Textures
Accessories are mainly used to add contrast and visual interest to a space. Feel free to play with colours and textures. If, for example, your home is dominated by neutrals, injecting the room with pops of colours will give more vibe to your home. Find inexpensive accessories in varying textures and colours so that you can change them per your mood/seasons/styles at the time.
Speaking of texture, try to contrast texture with the colours on your walls or, why not, the texture with each other. That will help add dimensions to your place, which can be very handy with living spaces.
4. Layering Accessories
We have talked about layering rugs in the past and how they can enhance a room. It is quite similar with accessories. Place large accessories first; just don’t overdo it. Medium-sized and smaller items can be used to add balance when and where necessary.
You may also group small items to give the “feel” of one larger one. In this case, try to avoid cluttering the place. Instead, choose just a couple of areas and accessorize them accordingly.
And Some More “Pro” Tips:
1. Create an illusion
Freshly painted walls used to be a great way to revamp a space. Today, we can avoid that and create the same feel and look with accessories and home décor items. Besides wall paintings, you can create an illusion, with fresh flowers placed on your windowsill or other natural elements, such as pinecones, twigs, and seashells. Glass pieces also work great.
However, there are plenty of other options to choose from, depending on your personal taste and style. The key here is to be free from any long-term commitment, and adding accessories to freshen up a space is an excellent way to achieve that as you will have very little to do with the new items.
2. Choose a Theme
Sketch out a plan to avoid mismatches. This is particularly important when you go for a new redecorating look. In this case, the theme you choose should best be completely different from what you used to have. With that in mind, contemporary accessories that move towards the less bright hues work great with classic looks.
Now, if you want to liven up a space and give more energy in a room, consider bright-coloured sofas and paintings.
Articles that May Help Further:
- What is your design personality?
- How to match your transitional style with your home?
- How to match your traditional style with your home?
- How to match your contemporary style with your home?
3. Add a Rug
Adding a faux fur carpet, or even better, a nice quality rug will add a new meaning to the interior décor of your home. In regards the colours you choose, you may wish to go with Feng Shui principles to attract wealth, health, and happiness to your loving nest or choose a colour used on your walls or your furniture and play with it. Mind, though, that the material and the texture of your rug can add comfort to your place.
We would suggest a wool Persian or Oriental rug for traditional homes or modern, silk options for the more contemporary homes. Again, there is a wide array of options to please your personal preferences.
4. Adjust the Light
The right light, be it pendant lamps, floor or table lamps will help create ambiance. You may consider a light with metallic or glass details to make things more interesting and/or get along with candles and fixtures.
General Tip: Whatever you do, try to choose pieces of varying styles, widths, and heights. Don’t be afraid to mix textures, layers, and colours. And, if you would love some additional contrast, do consider mixing new with vintage!
Best Decorating Apps to Become the Ultimate Interior Designer!
To help create and maintain a stylish home at all times, here are some of the best decorating apps we have tested and loved:
- Hutch– The app has a photo technology that recognises the structure of your space, from photos you upload to it, and then places the product (i.e. furniture) you are considering to buy in it. That way, you can have a look and know exactly how something will look in your home.
- Chairish– Its users upload photos of high-quality furniture. Then, the app’s curators decide which ones they will sell. If you sell an item, you keep 80% of the final sale, and you can find top-notch pieces from vetted dealers and brands, such as Knoll, Miller, B&B Italia, Herman, and more.
- Color Capture– You snap a photo and then the app comes forward with suggested paint options to match it. Very handy when you are out and spot a gorgeous colour that you believe would look great in your home.
- Mark on Call – You can create and then save floor plans. There are preloaded floor plans for the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and other common rooms. Plus, a shopping list that can help you take note of what you need to buy to complete your project.
- Photo Measures – It allows you to take a photo of a space and then write the measurements on it. That way, you don’t need to carry a tape measure around; yet, still, know if a piece you have found and like will fit.
- Magic Plan– It takes photos of your space and then converts them into particularly accurate floor plans, which can be exported in JPG, PDF, and DXT formats (for an added fee), so you can share them with your designer or contractor.
- Artfully Walls– Have you seen art that you believe will look great on your walls? This app will show you exactly how the desired art will blend with your space thanks to its augmented reality.
- BrightNest– This app will remind you of any maintenance tasks required, such as changing the batteries of your smoke detector, among other commonly forgotten ones. That aside, the app has an impressive plethora of other tips, ranging from cleaning and design to DIY and organising that show up in its feed.
How do you use accessories to revamp your space? Do you prefer colour injections or more subtle, natural hues? Do tell us in the comments below!