Each room in a house serves a different purpose, and styling should balance functionality and design. Consider the individual characteristics of each room to create a harmonious home that showcases the personality of each room. This article gives practical and easy-to-understand tips for styling your living room, bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, and small spaces.
How to Style Your Living Room
Living rooms serve as the heart of the home, so it makes sense to make it as comfortable and as stylish and functional as possible. Create conversational seating areas and ensure the furniture is the correct scale for the room. Add warmth with area rugs, pillows and blankets, and personalize the space with artwork, photographs or collectibles. Don’t forget about lighting. Mix natural light with floor lamps and table lamps to create a warm and cozy ambiance.
Styling of the Bedroom
The bedroom is a room that should be both comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing. Consider the colors and textures you’ll be using for your bedding, rug, and curtains. You don’t want a lot of furniture in your bedroom, as it will make the room harder to navigate. Consider adding a bedside lamp, framed picture, or potted plant to give your bedroom some extra personality. If you have storage needs, consider using under-the-bed storage or a nightstand to keep your bedroom clutter free and calming.
Modern and Stylish Kitchen Decor
In the kitchen, the focus should be on a simple functional display. Leave plenty of open space on the counter and add a few useful items such as a pretty jar, cutting board, and/or a small herb planter. Use a splash of color with a dish towel, backsplash or bowl. Place the items you use on a regular basis where they are easy to access and utilize a storage system for items that you need to keep but do not use often. Adequate lighting should be available for all food preparation areas.
Before I dive into sharing how I incorporated these trends into our bathroom renovation, I thought I would share some of my favorite bathroom styling ideas. Bathrooms can be tricky because they’re not as easy to decorate as a bedroom or living room. So here are a few of my favorite bathroom decor ideas.
The bathroom is a compact, practical room, so dress it in a way that will not only make it more comfortable to use, but also more efficient. Use simple shapes, monochromatic colors and keep countertops clear. Use a toiletry organizer and try to keep only a few select objects on display, such as candles, potted plants or framed prints. Coordinate towels, mats and shower curtain to match the color scheme. Ample lighting and mirrors will not only make the space more practical, but also appear more spacious.
Our Favorite Decorating Ideas for Small Spaces
Many of us have small rooms, hallways, nooks, or a home office that we want to decorate in a way that will be functional and beautiful. Here are some ideas that you can use to decorate a small room. First, use space saving furniture and shelves and storage that go up. Hang a mirror in the room to make it appear larger. Make sure that everything you place in a small room is proportional. Avoid large furniture or decorations. Choose light colors and add lamps for light. Keep a small room organized.
Tricks for Tying the Rooms Together
Even though every room serves a purpose of its own, there should be a flow of continuity throughout the house. This can be achieved by using similar colors, textures, and elements in different areas of the home. It is important to strike a balance between personal expression and continuity so that there is an easy flow from one space to the next. If you are a novice, try limiting yourself to just a couple of repetitive themes. This will make the design process much easier.
Adding Your Personal Touch
Adding personal touches to each space will make your home feel more personal and “lived in”. Whether it’s artwork, photographs, personal collections, or fabric — personalize your home with your unique style, interests or fond memories. These elements add warmth and personality to your home while still following general decorating rules.
But how can you apply this room-by-room approach in a real-world setting?
Start with the essentials in each room: the purpose of the space, the amount of natural light, and the flow of traffic. Then build your space around the main furniture pieces you need, layer with texture and color, and bring in your personal touches. Take things slowly, observe the changes you make, and use the process to inform your next move.
Another key takeaway from Fumio Sasaki is the importance of the process over the end result. Sasaki encourages readers to focus on the process of becoming minimalist and not just the outcome. This mindset helps to make the journey more enjoyable and increases the chances of success.
Which is why, I love the idea of room by room styling for those just starting out. It enables you to still tackle decorating on a smaller scale, without feeling overwhelmed and still reap the rewards of a well-styled room that works well, looks beautiful, and is comfortable. A well-styled home tells a story about you, your life and the way you like to live and makes your house feel good to live in.