Refresh Your Space With These Creative Home Styling Ideas
I'm sharing some of the home styling ideas I’m adopting this spring (and the next time I need a refresh).
As I slowly emerge from my winter hibernation, I’m usually itching for a change in my surroundings, and I'm sure I'm not alone. We've been cooped up looking at the same things on every surface of our home for months. Some items — like my beloved earthy Puglian pots — feel out of sync with the cheerfulness of Spring. But, rather than a spring clean, I’m compelled to do a spring re-style. I’ve found that re-arranging home accents or adding/removing them can breathe new life into my space… and with it, me.
Something New To Excite The Eye. Small Updates. And Other Styling Ideas To Re-Imagine One’s Space.
Bridie Hall
1. Rotate wall decor
If you’ve been staring at the same art, it’s bound to lose its luster, even if you absolutely love it. A simple fix that works wonders is swapping out wall decor in key places like your bedroom, kitchen, or entry hallway with something from storage or that’s hanging in a forgotten room. For more inspiration, check out these wall decor ideas.
Hotel Amour Nice
2. Shuffle a shelf
Shelves can start to feel static over time. What gives them life, I find, is shuffling things around — just simply disassembling things and put them back in new places — and/or adding personal knickknacks accumulated along the way — eg: I might tuck Polaroid or Photo Booth strip into a book, or display tiny chairs my friend made out of the cages from champagne bottles.
Brigette Romanek
3. Refresh coffee table books
Since a coffee table is often a focal point of a room where you spend a lot of time, swapping out the coffee table books on display is an instant, and easy, way to change things up. For spring, I replaced my brown and black & white covers for ones with a bit of color, and I can’t tell you how big a difference it made. A new selection of books to flip through can offer fresh inspiration too. Here's a compilation of the best coffee table books organized by interest — find one that gets your juices flowing.
Sense of Spencer
4. Pretty up a plant
Nowadays you can find cute plants at the grocery store (or my personal fav, Trader Joe's). One of my favorite tricks my mom taught me is putting the plastic pot in a decorative planter or cachepot. No replanting necessary. Then you can take the plastic pot out to water it and pop it back in. This vase and planter edit has a few to choose from — but collecting these containers should be a lifelong pursuit.
Barbara Egholm
5. Swap out candles
I hoard candles in many colors and styles. That way they’re handy to replace burnt out ones or to swap when I simply want to look at something different. Color is great for seasons, and unique designs for when you want to amp up the drama. The candle edit has various options.
Carolina Irving
6. Toss on a tablecloth
A beautiful table should not need any adornment, but putting a tablecloth on one can really shake things up. For a bigger impact, don’t put it on just for dining; leave it on the table so you can enjoy it the rest of the time too. And it’s not just limited to dining tables – you can throw a tablecloth on a small side table or nightstand as a makeshift skirted table. Just make sure to take the measurements to ensure it will work (most tablecloths are intended to have a drop, so even if your table is smaller, it might still fit without a drop, flush to the floor).
Nicky Haslam
7. Re-do a small space
On the scale of more involved to less involved, this idea falls into the former. It’s recommended if you have a small space that’s screaming for a little attention, and you’re itching for a project. For example, hang a collection of china in an empty hallway or install a head-to-toe gallery wall in a powder room. If you have the appetite, you can check out SoS guides for inspiration and ideas for various spaces.
Via @archdigest, Alexander Nino
8. Feature something you really love
We all have those things that bring us an inordinate amount of joy, but whatever it is, it can’t do its job if it’s stored away. Give an object you love pride of place where you can enjoy it. For example, I moved a pink piece of coral that always tickles me from a shelf to a coffee table in my direct view. I also hung these very cool decorative plates on my kitchen wall so I can see them throughout the day.
HAY Design matin lamp
9. Add a lamp to a non-traditional space
Given how lamps are a source of warm, intimate lighting, it would be a shame to confine them only to side tables. I think it’s delightful to see a lamp in an unexpected place, and it’s also functional, providing light where you might need it most. Our dining room nook is far away from other lamps, so it occurred to me we could use a lamp on the table just like some restaurants do. Life-changing.
The New Craftsman
10. Remove something
Taking away just one item can give the space a totally different look, giving your eye a welcome rest. Empty a decorative bowl in a prime location. Remove an object off a coffee table book. Stack scattered coasters. This is my husband’s favorite ‘re-styling’ idea because he always complains there are too many knicknacks; sometimes he’ll go ahead and remove something without telling me, but I always figure it out right away. He’s usually right too, I find.
Lucy Sear-Barlow
11. Swap out throw pillows
Pillows can pack a lot of personality, so they’re a great way to instantly change up a space. Find a pillow that brings you joy (here’s some throw pillow inspiration), and throw it on your bed or on a side chair. It’s that simple. You don’t need to worry about coordinating pillows.
Laura Jackson
12. Elevate the everyday
Just replace one everyday item with something new, that’s special to you. Perhaps a new mug to drink your coffee or tea, or a fresh set of casual plates or glasses. These casual table settings organize tableware by different styles.
via Pinterest
13. Give a home bar a makeover
A home bar might get overlooked if you’re not entertaining, but it can be a space to have some fun (and prepare for the next gathering while you're at it). Every once and a while, I like to pull out a different bottle to feature on the top of the bar and select a new set of glasses to go beside it. It can be nice to include a decorative item like a plant, candle or a lamp in the scene. If you have space for it, line up mixers in pretty bottles and bar accoutrement like a cup with drink stirrers, a pretty cocktail shaker, and napkins. A tray can be helpful to corral all of this together.
David Hicks
14. Display a collection
If you’re looking for a fresh way to reimagine a side table, I suggest displaying a collection. The English interior designer David Hicks taught me that you cluster together like objects, ideally of all different shapes and sizes, in the same material. Then he would vary the heights of the objects by putting some on boxes that he marvelously covered in marbled paper.
McGrath II
15. Make the bed, with fresh sheets
There is nothing like climbing into a bed made with crisp new sheets. I personally think white sheets feel the freshest. I also like how white sheets provide a blank slate for layering on throw blankets and pillows for a decorative touch (that’s also versatile). Check out bedroom decor including accents and sheets.
8 Holland Street
16. Add a throw carpet
A throw carpet is a versatile way to warm up a space, as it can go over another rug or fit into a small space; plus it is not a huge commitment. Putting a throw rug in our kitchen was one of the best things I ever did. A throw rug would also go nicely in a bathroom or beside a bed. They don’t even have to go on the floor - I have a shearling on a chair.
The Land Gardeners
17. Put some cheap, cheerful flowers in a vase
As my mom always tells me, buying cheap, cheerful flowers and putting them in a vase you love can really lift your mood. If you have a Trader Joe’s near you, I recommend you check there frequently for good deals on seasonal flowers (off season, I like their filler flowers, like eryngium or chamomile, and they usually last forever). A bunch of a single flower is all you really need to fill out a vase and give yourself something fresh and happy to look at. Just cut the stems and put in warm water; no arranging necessary. This vase edit has a few to choose from
Timothy Whealon
18. Mix up your style
Some of the most interesting homes are ones that blend styles. So, if you find yourself veering heavily in one direction or another, perhaps the way to change your perspective is to mix in a piece in another style. If your home is quite traditional, add a contemporary piece. If it’s quite modern and minimalist, add a classic antique.
Chalk White Arrow
19. Layer textiles
Often woven with vivid colors and patterns, or showing intricate handiwork, textiles — from quilts and suzanis to shibori and khanthas — can make a big statement or create a subtle layer depending on the particular design. There are so many ways to style them: hang on a wall, lay at the foot of a bed, throw over a sofa.
Eleanor Cording-Booth
20. Change out photos in frames
Replace the photos in frames to enjoy a fresh set of memories. While we might love the photos we initially choose to frame, anything can get stale over time, or you simply stop looking at it. Plus, there are always some gems hiding in drawers or boxes that deserve to see the light of day — and put a smile on your face.
Shop the Story
From top right: Blanc Faux Bois Pots, Jayson Home. Set of 6 Candles, HAY. Chemin du Printemps Runner, Obakki. Speciality Beeswax Candle, Ivory, Obakki. Murano Primrose Hand-Painted Bedside Set, Cabana. Borgo della Tovaglie Toile Tablecloth, ABC Carpet. Swirl Glass, Pink, Cabana.
Mood-Boosting Home Buys to Enhance Styling
Use any of these home accents when re-styling to add a boost of color and spring exuberance to your space.
From top right: Large Moroccan Vase, HAY. Speckled Dinner Plate, Blue, Cabana. Soil to Studio Indu Linen Napkin Set - Tiffany Blue, Made Trade. Archive Zapotec Checkered Wool Rug - Pink + Ivory, Made Trade. Provence Glory Hardcover Book By Assouline, Amazon. Flare Glass Candleholder, HAY. Catalina Large Pitcher, Crow Canyon Home. Sister Parish Pink and Green Titania Floral Decorative Pillow Cover, Etsy.
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