Top 5 Decorating Tips

Over the years I have learned, studied and pick up tips on decorating. I have a few of my own top 5 decorating tips and suggestions that I am excited to share with you today! Really… decorating can be a lot of trial and error, but for the most part if you develop tips and tricks that can define your personal taste and style, it makes decorating not as overwhelming!Rugs have always played a huge role in my decorating. I use rugs for that fun pop of color. Today’s trends seem to be very neutral, which I LOVE, but I don’t want to forgo what defines my own personal style, which for me is COLOR. I just can’t live without it! So by neutralizing the room and adding fun patterns and a pop of color, it creates warmth and defines my personal style! Another tip about rugs is the size. If you go too small you can make a room look smaller. Interesting enough, by going large you actually open up the space. In dining rooms in particular it always looks a lot better to have a large rug to cover the legs of the chairs, even when they are pushed out. Another space is in the living room; the ideal size is usually big enough that all legs of the furniture are on top of the rug.

Here is a fun rug I added in my boys’ room!I adore wall decor…clocks, pictures, shelves the list goes on. The biggest thing to watch for when hanging wall decor is the height. The mistake I see happen a lot is pictures and clocks are hung too high. The rule of thumb is to hang items at eye level. The pictures become more personal and you won’t find yourself straining your neck to find out what time it is:)  One more tip I personally use when it comes to wall decor. Don’t be afraid to use big items in small spaces. One big bold item on the wall can sometimes be all you need to finish the space.

Here is a perfect example from my office; the big clock was all the wall needed!Lighting is a big one for me! I like to find affordable ways to get great lights in our home. I know that lights can be PRICEY!!! I found by using outdoor lights (from Lowes and Home Depot), even online that you can get a really great look for a lot cheaper. I would have to say the majority of the lights in my home are outdoor lights. I feel like they add that farm house, industrial look I love so much!

Another tip for lighting: don’t settle. If you have your heart set on a light. Just wait and save ’til you can get it. Lights are something you see and walk by EVERYDAY. I like to put my lighting budget into the main room rather than the rest of the house. Anyone that steps into your home will see these lights and you definitely want them to make a statement, along side your furniture and decor!

I have a weakness for pillows. I very well have TOO MANY pillows. But pillows are the jewelry to your furniture. Pillows bring in character, color and pattern. I love to play with color and go as bold as my heart allows. Don’t be afraid of pillows and don’t limit yourself to all the same size pillows either; have fun and show your personality! I love to mix high-end pillows with low-end. Target is such an affordable place to pick up a great pillow if you want to change it up. I also love to switch out my pillows for the holidays. It’s great to have certain pillows for certain holidays. Makes seeing them again all the more special!

Here is a picture of my friend’s sofa. I love how she mixed all kinds of colors and shapes!I know… I know…Trimwork is pricey, especially if you hire it out. But hear me out… sometimes it REALLY is worth the price! It can TRANSFORM the space and by the time you buy decor to cover that one wall…you might want to put a pencil to paper and just see? There are so many GREAT trim tutorials out there, and the transformation is amazing! What trim does to a space is makes it go from flat to 3D. It adds warmth, depth and interest. Even a little bit of trim can add sooo much!!!

On my instagram feed I just posted this “before and after” of my front room.Well there they are… my top 5 decorating tips.

Happy Decorating!