I've had so much fun decorating our home over the past 3 years. I moved in to Paul's bachelor pad when we got married and immediately started changing things up by adding lamps, throw pillows, and rearranging furniture. I have learned so much about my design style, which is still evolving, but I'm honing in on "pretty+practical". Thankfully, Paul gives me 99% of decision making power when it comes to decorating and styling our home and in return I try to only add a little pink to each room ;) (and he also gets his garage gym, of course)
I thought I would share 5 tips to customizing your home without blowing your budget or hiring a designer. I've learned these tricks from reading numerous blog posts, studying Pinterest pictures, and the best way: trial & error.
1 // Don't buy bedding out of a bag, and if you do, don't use it all on the same bed!
I've walked into Bed, Bath & Beyond/HomeGoods/Macy's and loved their bed sets, but I resist the temptation to buy the entire set for my bedroom!! If you love the comforter, of course use it, but does it come with matching pillow shams and throw pillows? If yes, then definitely use the pillows/shams in another room - even the living room! Chances are that you have similar colors throughout the rest of your house. Switching up the designers and brands of your bedding will make it look customized and much more stylish.
2 // Add one unexpected item when styling shelves.
Emily Henderson's bookshelf below has a lot of unexpected items and I absolutely love it. It's so interesting and beautiful and I need to go redo my bookshelf in my bedroom ASAP. The sculpture, the miniature monopoly pieces, the little desk lamp, the huge light bulb? I could study this picture for a while. I suggest starting out small by selecting one piece in your house that has a lot of meaning to you (or maybe no meaning but you think it's awesome) and go stick it on a shelf where it doesn't "belong." You might be surprised how much you love it.
3 // Place non-kitchen furniture in your kitchen.
For instance, use an actual dresser to store your dinnerware, have a lamp on your countertop, or even a family heirloom grandfather clock in the corner next to your refrigerator. I love this breakfast nook in designer Jillian Harris's home which overlooks her kitchen, pictured below. Look around your home, there may be furniture that would serve your kitchen well!
4 // Use items in unintended ways.
I love using my decorative antler piece as a bangle holder. Sometimes practicality needs to be pushed to the side to let creativity have the spotlight. Wooden wine boxes can become storage on walls, plates can become pieces of art, or a room divider can be a headboard!
5 // Love what you love
The biggest advice I have is to embrace your own style, because that is what looks best on you (and around you)! Designer Erin Gates still says how much she loves her inexpensive "Lady of the Bar" and the skull she found in her backyard! If you need help figuring out a color scheme for your guest bedroom, go look in your closet to see what you gravitate towards. If you love a side table for no other reason than it makes your heart jump a little, you should buy it! It doesn't have to be perfect, it should just be "you". Learn to love the saying "this looks like you" - as it may just mean you found your style :)
