Home furnishings designs
Best Home Decorating Ideas - 80+ Top Designer Decor Tricks and Tips
While designing your home is no doubt exciting, the process can also be overwhelming. Trying to achieve the right balance of form and function has its challenges. Regardless of your style, the big picture and the small details are equally important. From choosing the right furniture to finding the perfect color palette, here are 82 designer-approved home decor ideas to inspire you as you create your dream home.
1
Work with Architectural Quirks
Kirk Davis Swinehart
To avoid drawing attention to ceiling beams or other architectural oddities, designer William Cullum and his partner, Jeffery Rhodes, painted the walls, trim, and ceiling the same color blue in the hallway (seen at rear) of their New York City apartment.
2
Be Bold with Color
Stephen Kent Johnson
Literary couple James Fenton and Darryl Pinckney opted for bright, jewel-toned walls in shades of green, blue, yellow—and even purple—throughout their Harlem townhouse.
3
Play Up Your Location
Stephan Julliard
At Jean-Louis Deniot’s family retreat on Île de Ré, France, the designer deployed nautical references to emphasize the seaside setting: Maritime rope frames all of the doorways; the steps are hand-painted with wave scenes; and the bedroom wall mural (seen through the doorway here) resembles a sandstorm.
4
Make Your Mantel a Masterpiece
Alex Lukey
In a Toronto home by Colette van den Thillart, the designer decided to replace the original mantel with a sculptural, eye-catching fireplace surround.
5
Pattern on Pattern on Pattern
Nicole Franzen
Don’t be afraid to mix patterns and prints. Designer Ramsey Lyons combined different patterns in shades of pink for the sofa and chair upholstery, and yet another one for the curtain fabric in the sunroom of her Pittsburgh home.
6
Use Mirrors to Enhance Natural Light
Stephen Kent Johnson
In the dining area of Gabriel Hendifar’s downtown Manhattan apartment, a mirrored wall helps to bounce natural light around the room, brightening it in the process.
7
Go for Broke with Bookshelves
Guido Taroni
In art historian Carolina Vincenti’s apartment in Rome, she painted the bookshelves in the hallway and living area a bright red as an homage to British telephone booths.
8
Mimic Architectural Shapes
Christian Harder
Designer Darren Jett echoed the arches of this Brooklyn apartment’s windows in the rounded custom sofa, cushions, cocktail table, and circular rug. A bonus: The rounded seating area gives the clients ample room for entertaining.
9
Form Follows Function
Stephen Kent Johnson
Designer Ryan Lawson reconstructed what was formerly a dining room and turned it into a study to better suit the client’s needs in this Connecticut home. To make it comfortable and practical, Lawson commissioned bookshelves that match the Shaker style of the house and layered the room with pieces from the homeowner’s travels.
10
To the Window (With No Walls!)
Pernille Loof
Designer Vicente Wolf used furniture—instead of walls or screens—to create separate seating areas throughout his Manhattan loft.
11
Use Your Wall Space
Ricardo Labougle
A suzani hangs high above an Indonesian rattan sofa bed in this Cartagena, Colombia, home.
The gorgeous textile adds interest to the white walls and mixes well with other prints.
12
Drape a Bright Rug
Frank Frances
ELLE DECOR A-List designer Sheila Bridges added texture and color to her home in New York’s Hudson Valley with an emerald green sheepskin throw rug.
13
Create a Bold Gallery
Maxime Brouillet
A gallery wall of eye-catching artworks in minimalist frames makes a bright statement in this Montreal home.
14
Deploy Color on the Floor
Emily Gilbert
A bright blue rug brings the color of the ocean inside this glass house in the Hamptons. The otherwise white palette creates a bold contrast.
15
Go Bold in Small Spaces
Paul Costello
Graphic prints can have major impact in a small space such as a powder room.
Here, an Ellie Cashman floral wallpaper is the star in a New Orleans manse designed by Sara Ruffin Costello.
16
Experiment with Patterns
Nicole Cohen
Layering patterns in a range of styles and scales is an easy way to add visual interest to a room. Here, former Refinery29 global editor-in-chief Christene Barberich pairs black-and-white pillows with green chevron bedding in her Brooklyn Heights bedroom.
17
Use Color in a Hallway
Simon Upton
If your color choices are usually more reserved, step outside of your comfort zone by choosing a bold hue like purple for a hallway. It is unexpected and can be a chic backdrop for showcasing an art collection, as in this design by David Hicks.
18
Display Collectibles on a Table
James Merrell
Every room can benefit from accessories with a history.
Rather than showcasing your collectibles on a shelf, set them out on a table, as seen in this Italian apartment. Just be sure your collection is highly curated to maintain a sense of balance in your display.
19
Group Antiques by Color
Rebecca Robertson
There’s a fine line between kitschy and curated. Rebecca Robertson unifies vintage and new pieces by grouping them by color.
20
Mix Your Time Periods
Trevor Tondro
“You mix things up with old and new,” suggests textiles and interior designer Kathryn M. Ireland, as she did in the living room of her Santa Monica home—a room where the furnishings include 17th-century French chairs, an 18th-century Mexican console, and a cocktail table from her furniture line.
21
Try Floor-to-Ceiling Shelving
Marie Flanigan Interiors
Floor-to-ceiling shelving never fails to add character to a room.
In his Los Angeles home, acclaimed chef Ludovic “Ludo” Lefebvre opted for this shelving style for his collection of more than 1,000 cookbooks.
22
Look at the Bigger Picture
Douglas Friedman
Looking at your home from a holistic perspective—seeing how each room works in balance against the others—can help craft a welcome variety in your spaces, like this emerald-and-charcoal dining room that adds a touch of formality to an otherwise contemporary Los Angeles home.
23
Embrace the Fear of Commitment
Stephen Kent Johnson
To avoid being locked into a single style, lighting designer Lindsey Adelman switches up the fixtures in her Park Slope home on a regular basis. “It’s part of my creative process,” she explains. “I love to see things in context, in real life—to live with them.”
24
Use Your Walls as a Canvas
Simon Upton
Rather than art, a high-impact wallpaper can give a subdued room some wow factor.
The 19th-century wallcovering from this luxe Milan apartment was purchased at auction in France and adapted to the room. “We created the missing parts—the plinth and the ceiling frame—to depict an Italian capriccio, a fantastical and bucolic landscape with architectural features,” says Laura Sartori Rimini of Studio Peregalli.
25
Anchor Your Room With a Classic
Richard Powers
“Bringing a touch of the old world into the mix creates a home that will never feel dated,” designer Alex Papachristidis explains of the art-studded Manhattan apartment he designed for a family friend. For example, note the silver leaf–and–rock crystal chandelier from Liz O’Brien that he hung in the otherwise modern dining room.
26
Create Moody Contrast with Color
Stephan Julliard
Instead of meshing a color scheme with a sense of place, designer Irakli Zaria used rich gold and turquoise as an antidote to gloomy London days in this chic pied-à-terre.
“In a place where there are such cloudy skies, it makes no sense to have a gray interior,” he says.
27
Add Playfulness with Repurposed Items
William Abramowicz
Art director Vivia Horn’s Zen upstate New York home makes use of an unexpected gift to give her traditional kitchen a dose of fun. This breakfast table is made of a refurbished hibachi, a present from the late wrestler and Benihana restaurateur Rocky Aoki.
28
Use Fabrics Beyond Soft Furnishings
Douglas Friedman
Looking beyond the traditional with wallcoverings can create a truly standout design presence. “I do think I might have scared [architect Ken Linsteadt] a little bit when I announced I was planning to install two levels of green floral fabric on the walls of the grand salon,” says Ken Fulk of his Sonoma Valley lakeside retreat, yet the fabric gives the high walls a richness that wallpaper alone might not have achieved.
29
Balance New and Old
Dominique Vorillon
When renovating a building that already has plenty of character, like this 1920s Spanish Colonial home in Los Angeles, it’s all about striking the balance between what you add and what you leave. “We wanted to make it feel more holistic while still honoring its heritage,” designer Steven Johanknecht says of the decision to keep the original hand-carved ceiling beams and wrought-iron chandeliers while removing mismatched materials from previous renovations.
30
Mix Metals for Added Warmth
Simon Upton
To soften the modern edge of stainless steel, decorator Alisa Bloom put a traditional spin on the kitchen cabinetry of her 1920s Chicago penthouse with brass inlays. With the help of a local hardware maker, she even designed her own hinges and drawer pulls.
“I would never go into a store and just buy something,” she says. “It’s all about the process and the hunt.”
31
Don’t Underestimate the Power of High-Low Design
Max Zambelli
Kate Reynolds, co-owner of Studio Four NYC, believes in pairing big-ticket items with budget finds. “I think a room balances out better when you have different levels of price and craftsmanship,” she says. “It helps you notice the statement piece more.”
32
Invite Nature Indoors
Rikki Snyder
The best way to balance out sleek lines and contemporary furniture is by adding a few unique natural elements, from driftwood to greenery. “I don’t like to look around a house and not see touches from the outdoors,” interior designer Tamara Magel says.
33
Layer Decor over the Years
Björn Wallander
“I love to see the layers of time and renovations,” says California-based interior designer Patrick Printy.
“To me, it deepens the effect.” Achieving a sense of harmony that feels organic is key.
34
Installing Shiplap? Go Horizontal (Usually)
Getty / TriggerPhoto
If Chip and Joanna Gaines have convinced you that your abode needs shiplap, you’re usually best off installing the boards horizontally rather than vertically. “It can really expand a space, making it feel larger than vertical boards can,” says Jason Arnold. “Horizontal boards also feel more contemporary.” Vertical boards, however, can be ideal for rooms with high ceilings.
35
Don’t Sacrifice Comfort
Getty Images
Sure, your eyes may want the most modern, chic couch in the showroom. But your back may not. “In my experience, it’s really better to test out seating and take the time to look at the dimensions,” says Sharon Blaustein.
If you’re tall, for instance, you might want to opt for a depth of between 40 to 42 inches for a sofa (rather than the standard depth of 36 inches).
36
Always Shop for a Rug in Person
Getty / Hoxton / Tom Merton
This is not the time for e-shopping, people. “It’s just so hard to tell on a computer screen what the color really looks like,” Arnold says. “You might think it looks red, but in reality, it’s watermelon pink.” Not to mention the texture of the rug may be totally different than what you were expecting.
37
Let a Locale Inspire Your Space
Jessica Alexander
It’s exactly what Jenny Cipoletti, founder of fashion, beauty, and travel blog Margo & Me, did in her decidedly Parisian office (which is actually in West Hollywood). “Just like when you walk into a café in Paris, and you see all the details and the golds, silvers, and light blush tones, all of these elements in this space really sing to me,” says Cipoletti.
This lets you travel to your favorite destination without stepping outside.
38
Never Settle on One Look
HomeGoods/Reid Rolls
Allow your space to continuously change—as your life does. “Remember that your home should always be evolving, just as you are,” says Kelly Framel, creative director, stylist, and founder of online magazine The Glamourai. “I am constantly picking up new treasures on my travels. Your nest should always be a place of comfort and inspiration, and it’s a constant work in progress.”
39
Use Curtains as a Backdrop for Art
HomeGoods/Reid Rolls
Instead of hanging a painting on a bare wall, accent it with a rich velvet curtain background. “Curtains just create a great, calming energy in which you feel very shrouded and comforted, making for a luxurious and restful environment,” says Framel.
“And being able to put a really great pop of artwork in front of that textural colored backdrop has a lot of impact.”
40
Upholster Antique Furniture with a Modern Fabric
Genevieve Garruppo
Make what’s old new again by invigorating antique pieces with colorful fabric from the 21st century. Take, for example, the two 18th-century French bergères here, upholstered in a hot pink Maharam fabric. “Maharam is a very modern, contemporary fabric company, with velvets that are really bright in color,” says Bikoff. “That color was such a pop of freshness and youthfulness on these old chairs.”
41
Choose One Piece of Artwork to Anchor the Room
HomeGoods/Matt Harrington
In Josh Groban’s The Great Comet dressing room, interior designer Mike Harrison selected this constellation artwork as a clear focal point for the room.
“I loved this piece for its dimensions and colors, but also as a tip of the hat to the comet influences that I know were of importance to Josh,” says Harrison. “I was searching for artwork that would tie together all of Josh’s design sensibilities.”
42
Ship Smarter
Courtesy of Cullman & Kravis
When Lee Cavanaugh and Sarah DePalo of Cullman & Kravis make their yearly trip to the Paris flea market, they send finds home in a group container to keep costs down.
43
Do Your Homework
Getty Images
...Especially before vintage shopping. Emily Eberhart of Viyet recommends researching how similar items of interest are priced or have sold.
44
Invest Where It Matters
Courtesy of Thom Filicia
If you’re on a budget, invest in the pieces that anchor a room.
“It wouldn’t be a bedroom without a bed, it wouldn’t be a living room without a sofa, and it wouldn’t be a dining room without a dining table,” Thom Filicia advises.
45
Scale to Your Sofa
Courtesy of Emily Henderson
It’s so simple, you’ll kick yourself for not thinking of Emily Henderson’s rule yourself: A large room should have large furniture, medium rooms should have medium-sized furniture and small rooms (you guessed it) should have more petite furniture. Scale the rest of the furniture to your sofa.
46
Bring Outdoor Fabric In
Kathryn MacDonald
Grant K. Gibson suggests using outdoor fabric for indoor furniture to safeguard against stains and enhance durability, especially if you have kids or pets in the house.
47
Practice Before You Paint
Getty Images
“When initially loading your roller with paint, make sure the roller nap is fully and equally saturated,” says John Hoskins, vice president of Behr.
Before you begin painting, test the roller on an extra piece of board to ensure it applies smoothly and evenly.
48
Go Dark in Dim Places
Courtesy of Homepolish
Paint a room that doesn’t get a lot of natural light a saturated color. “Adding some pigment makes the space feel intentionally moody and romantic,” suggests Orlando Soria, West Coast creative director of Homepolish.
49
Let the Light Be Your Guide
Brittany Ambridge
When you’re painting a room, Joa Studholme of Farrow & Ball suggests you consider the direction of sunlight. Use bright colors in north-facing rooms, which tend to be darker, and create a warm glow in a west-facing room with pink or a red-based neutral. In south and east-facing rooms, opt for blue or white.
50
Think Outside the Box
MARILI FORASTIERI
Neal Beckstedt uses unexpected elements—like a fireplace or chaise lounge—to create a warm and inviting bathroom that feels like its own living space.
51
Embrace Custom Furniture
Mikkel Vang
There’s nothing like having a piece of furniture made to suit your aesthetic and room layout, and this master suite’s dressing room, which features a custom desk and screen painted in Farrow & Ball’s Stiffkey Blue, is the perfect example. When ordering custom furniture, consider focusing on spaces, like bedrooms and dining rooms, that are used the most often in a home.
52
Use Ladders as Storage
Roger Davies
Don’t be afraid to get creative with your storage space. Joy Moyler likes to use ladders to display towels, as in this bathroom designed by Rebecca Ascher and Joshua Davis.
53
Kick Up Classics
Oriana Koren
Karen Vidal kicks the classic look of a subway-tiled bathroom up a notch by pairing it with a bold patterned-cement-tile floor.
54
Keep Bedroom Fabrics Simple
Alyssa Rosenheck/Designed By Chad James
According to Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz, people should be the ones adding the pattern and texture to a bedroom—not the fabrics.
55
Your Chairs Don’t Have to Match
Thomas Kuoh/ Design by Emilie Munroe
Select a large-scale lead chair at your dining table to up the drama. Emilie Munroe of Studio Munroe recommends picking a style that’s complementary to the side chairs to really wow guests.
56
Center Your Furniture on a Rug
IKEA
If you’re setting furniture, like a dining table, in the middle of the room, your rug should be big enough so that all furniture fits comfortably on top, according to Janice Simonsen, design spokesperson for IKEA U.
S. In large living rooms, however, it’s OK to have just the front legs on the rug.
57
Create an Inviting Entryway with Mirrors
Getty Images
Your front hall is the first thing people see, so Dana Gibson suggests you make it inviting with a mirror and furnishings that foreshadow what’s to come in the rest of the house.
58
Paint Your Closets
LA Closet Design
Lisa Adams of LA Closet Design is one of Hollywood’s favorite closet designers. To make closets she creates even more luxe, she paints the metal trim or ceiling gold.
59
Make a Room Look Bigger with White Furniture
Christopher Sturman
60
Maximize Daylight with Mirrors
Jon Call
To maximize daylight and visually increase square footage, Jon Call of Mr Call Designs relies on large-scale mirrors.
61
Edit, Edit, Edit
Courtesy of J Randall Powers
J. Randall Powers has a motto in his office: “If you look at it and you question it—put it away.”
62
Remember the Rule of Threes
Getty Images
Kazuko Hoshino of Studio William Hefner employs one of writing’s most famous rules in her design: arranging decorative pieces like candles, vases, table plants, or flowers in groups of threes.
63
Change Your Coffee Table Decor Regularly
Getty Images
When it comes to styling a coffee table, try Meredith Baer’s formula: Start with something large in the middle, like a floral arrangement in an interesting pot or a huge bowl filled with a collection. Then build out from that with stacks of art books, candles, sculptures, or pottery.
64
Color-Coordinate
Ron Wendt
When creating a tablescape, Ron Wendt starts by choosing a linen. Then he uses flowers or candles in a deeper or lighter hue to give the table a bold, completed look.
65
Mix and Match China
Mikkel Vang
Instead of buying a formal china set, Alex Papachristidis creates an eclectic look by mixing and matching dishes.
66
Choose Neutral Upholstery
Douglas Friedman/Designed by Martyn Lawrence Bullard
When Lili Hart buys upholstery, she always selects a neutral shade, then uses pillows and throws to add color and pattern to the room. Change them out according to the seasons—just like you would with your clothes.
67
Don’t Forget About the Ceiling
Stephen Busken
For an extra layer of style and unexpected dose of glam, Jeff Andrews suggests adding wallpaper to the ceiling.
68
Don’t Follow Trends
Courtesy of Summer Thornton
“If your neighbors are doing it, you probably shouldn’t,” says designer Summer Thornton. “You can use plenty of traditional pieces as the core, but always intentionally do something that throws it off just a bit!”
69
Layer Up
Courtesy of ELEVATE Design Collective
For a layered look that combines fun and function, Jennifer Wagner Schmidt of JWS Interiors and ELEVATE Design Collective adds a chunky knit throw or a soft Moroccan wedding blanket to a sofa or chair.
70
Dim the Lights
Courtesy of Bunny Williams
One lighting rule Bunny Williams never breaks? Control overhead lights with dimmer switches.
71
Add Greenery
Jana Williams
Bring the outside in.
Ashley Redmond of Decorist uses plants to add color, texture, and life to every room.
72
Hang Curtains High
Courtesy of Elaine Griffin
To elongate the visual ceiling height the way stilettos seem to add inches to the legs, Elaine Griffin hangs curtains as close to the ceiling line as she can get them.
73
Keep Curtains Simple
Adam Kuehl/Designed by Paula Wallace
Rather than buying curtains in patterns, designs, or florals—which can date a room very quickly—Randal Weeks of Aidan Gray Home buys two colors and changes them out seasonally.
74
Remember That Newer Isn't Always Better
Courtesy of Thomas Jayne
Thomas Jayne chooses vintage carpets, which offer more interesting texture and a wider range of nuanced colors than new ones.
75
Expand a Room with Rugs
Interior Marketing Group, Inc./Richard Caplan Photography
“The bigger the area rug, the bigger the room will feel,” says Cheryl Eisen.
76
Start Collecting Now
Paolo Petrignani
If Achille Salvagni has any say, the ideal collection references different eras and styles. “The best interiors are a reflection of where you have come from and a signifier where you want to go,” he says.
77
Spill-Proof Your Space
Courtesy of Jen Going Interiors
To kid-proof kitchens, Jen Going sends upholstery fabrics to be treated with a vinyl-tex finish—it makes them completely wipeable and impervious to anything your kids can spill.
78
Mix Textures
Getty Images
To make metallic pieces shine, Natalie Kraiem mixes metals and mirrors with softer textures, like mohair, velvet, and wool, to up the contrast.
79
Find Balance
Courtesy of Rita Konig
Don’t mistake eclectic style for “anything goes.” Joybird recommends putting a cap on the number of contrasting styles in each room to avoid a cluttered feeling.
80
Opt for Carpet over Wood Floors
Andrew Twort/Designed by Michael Reeves
In a bedroom, opt for wall-to-wall carpeting, which stops foot traffic from becoming a nuisance, Harry Heissmann of Albert Hadley Inc. advises. The only exception? Beach houses, where wood floors are fine.
81
Forget the Formal Grid
Helen Norman
For a looser, salon-style gallery wall that feels collected, designer Lauren Liess recommends starting at the center and moving outward. To keep the display from feeling haphazard, pick an overarching theme or color, like the bedroom gallery wall that Liess created here using pressed botanicals in a palette of black, white, and tan.
82
Bring Lighting Outside
Melanie Acevedo
To create a cozy indoor atmosphere outside, Mary McDonald litters her yard with candles and lanterns. They up the romance factor, too.
55 Chic Home Decorating Ideas
1
Find Another Spot for Flowers
Alison Gootee
If you constantly keep a vase of flowers in your kitchen or living room, extend that love for fresh blooms throughout the house. It's the perfect excuse to invest in a new vase for your bedroom or bathroom. In this New York apartment designed by Katie Ridder, a globe-shaped vase adds a nice bubble detail. Or if the upkeep for real flowers is too much, go for faux alternatives.
2
Swap Out Art
Shade Degges
Whether you have a few tiny frames—like in this bedroom designed by Jae Joo—or medium-sized ones on a gallery wall, you can easily swap them out with fresh finds.
Tear our pages from a coffee table book, or stop by a flea market for new works.
3
Add a Mirror
Robert Peterson / Rustic White Interiors
Place a large mirror above your mantel as HGTV star Alison Victoria did in her Atlanta loft, or dedicate another empty wall space—whether it's in your hallway, entryway, or bedroom. Not only will it look good, but it'll make the room feel bigger and brighter.
4
Refresh Coffee Table Books
Paul Costello
If you can't resist a good coffee table book, bring a new one into your collection. Or if you keep them in various parts of your home, simply rearrange your stacks for a new look. Here, in a living room designed by Barrie Benson, the four stacks could easily be given a new layout and order using only the books on the table.
5
Attach Decor to a Shelving Unit
Genevieve Garruppo
Don't have any more room on your walls for art? No problem.
Hang anything from paintings and sconces to plants and bookmarks on a shelving unit. Here's a tutorial for how to hang art on bookshelves to guide you through the process—which includes tips from designer Marissa Bero, who has pulled this move in plenty of home libraries, including the one seen here.
6
Set Up a Cozy Reading Spot
Heidi Caillier Design
No designated reading nook? No problem. If your home doesn't have any leftover real estate to convert into a reading nook, design your formal living room to serve double duty as a cozy lounge area. Here, Heidi Caillier strategically chose furniture with fabrics and shapes that are both sophisticated and homey, perfect for entertaining or unwinding alone.
7
Don't Be Afraid of Black Paint
Farrow & Ball
The soft black paint color in this bedroom makes it feel special and intimate in ways you'd never be able to achieve with a lighter hue (this specific shade is Farrow & Ball Railings).
The eclectic furniture lends itself nicely to the darkness, too, adding a more lived-in and homey vibe.
8
Style an Empty Fireplace
Reid Rolls
Rethink how you style an empty fireplace. In this texture-rich environment, interior designer Leanne Ford turned an empty fireplace into a little gallery to display pottery and artwork.
9
Treat Your Windows
Victoria Pearson
Adding the right window treatment can make all the difference. We're especially into Roman shades with a fun pattern. "It goes against decorating 101, but using small patterns together can be easier on the eye," says interior decorator Kristin Panitch, who designed this dreamy pink cloud of a bedroom.
10
Re-Style a Bookshelf
Fiona Lynch
From the inky stained wood to the modern side chair and clean-lined ladder, this home library designed by Fiona Lynch is a gorgeous contemporary take on traditional design.
You could fill it with books—or you could add in decor accents and accessories like vases and sculptures to break up the monotony of a wall of books. Or, color-coordinate your books. Not only will it feel more cohesive, but if you've got a lot of bright colors in your collection, they'll stand out even more.
11
Set up a Breakfast Nook
John Gruen
Breakfast with a view? We're in. This one is country-chic and just a touch rustic but still polished. It also proves you don't need to have an actual built-in nook to achieve the right vibe.
12
Spruce up Your Entryway
Paul Raeside
If you don't have a grand foyer—or you do but it needs some love–introduce a small console table. For a formal yet modern aesthetic, opt for a traditional table and then hang modern abstract art above it.
Then lean some portraits against the wall for a laid-back take on the gallery wall.
13
Just Add Sheepskin
Leanne Ford Interiors
If any area in your home is feeling austere, sheepskin throws are the easiest solution. They bring in warmth, texture, and comfort while also being super affordable and easy to move throughout your space as your needs and moods shift.
14
Swap Out Your Throw Pillows
Studio Ashby
Throw pillows are the easiest way to freshen up in the bedroom or living room. Introducing a new color, print, or shape with a throw pillow can make the whole space feel new again.
15
Bring a Stool Into the Bathroom
Annie Schlechter
Slide a stool next to the bathtub.
Not only will the extra surface space help with organization, but it's also a great way to make the whole space feel more luxe.
16
Show Your Powder Room Some Love
Peter Murdock
It's easy to overlook a room when it's super tiny, especially because there simply isn't enough useable space for décor. But it's definitely possible—and well worth it—to show these nooks some love. Take this powder room, for example. With a light blush pink wall color and a surrounding gallery of eclectic artwork, the small room packs a lot of punch.
17
Install a Canopy
Fantastic Frank
If you want to transform your bedroom into a palace fit for royalty, add a canopy. This white gauze fabric hangs so beautifully and brings an ethereal look to the minimalist bedroom.
18
Swap Accents Seasonally
Nicole Franzen
Plaid? For winter? Not even close to groundbreaking, but we're still here for it.
Swapping out accents seasonally will also get you excited for what's to come.
19
Get Inspired by Nature
Leanne Ford Interiors
This space is rich with texture, which creates warmth and dimension. There's also plenty of character even though it's sticking to a strict color palette. For a similarly inviting and grounded environment, get inspired by nature. Think seagrass, rattan, jute, wood, brushed concrete, and marble.
20
Reupholster Your Furinture
Nicole Franzen
Reupholstering your furniture will automatically freshen up an entire space. And if you love eclectic decorating, take notes from this impeccable living room. All the juxtaposition in this room is working so well—the angular mirror, vivid orange art, marble fireplace, rustic stool, and geometric pottery are all unexpectedly complemented by the softness of the blush pink chairs.
21
Simply Tidy Up
Mikael Axelsson
This probably isn't what you want to hear since we don't think of cleaning up as fun, but adding a few pieces that ease organization can make a huge difference. Consider installing coat hooks or bringing in a stylish coat rack coat by the front door. Then place a small folding chair underneath it to sit on when you take off your shoes. This will prevent those dreaded (and previously inevitable) clothing pileups.
22
Color-Block Your Wall
PHOTO: Matthew Williams; DESIGN: Studio DB
For a graphic statement, color-block your wall. Paint half of it a bold color or opt for two neutral tones. Here, black creeps up about a quarter of the way while the rest is a nice shade of steel gray, creating an understated-yet-unique statement.
23
Touch up the Walls
Alexander M. Reid
Freshen up a bathroom by giving the walls a fresh coat of white paint. If that sounds like too much of a commitment, use a magic eraser to touch up smudges. It's bright, refreshing, and the perfect blank backdrop for a fun gallery, as seen in this bathroom designed by Alexander M. Reid.
24
Apply Accent Wallpaper
Catherine Kwong
You don't have to wallpaper your entire room—just pick a wall and accent with it. It's fast, easy, and makes a big difference.
25
Layer Rugs and Patterns
WILLIAM ABRANOWICZ
This eclectic home designed by Sean Scherer is a treasure trove of antiques, whimsical fabrics, and fearless decorating. It's also a masterclass in layering.
Why use just one rug when you could have three? Layer rugs in varying colors, prints, and textures to add visual interest to your floor.
26
Rethink Your Gallery Wall
Annie Schlechter
If the walls in a hallway are feeling tired or lackluster, add a gallery wall. Bring in antique frames, or hit up a thrift store or flea market, and arrange a ton of hand mirrors into a gallery wall.
27
Introduce a New Throw Blanket
Robson Rak
Putting a colorful throw blanket at the end of your bed or flung over the sofa is an easy but transformative design trick. It's also a great way to experiment with colors and prints before fully committing to them.
28
Opt for Statement Art
PHOTO: Alexandra Rowley; DESIGN: Studio DB
Make a simple wall a little more exciting with oversized artwork.
Choose large-scale photography or something abstract and vibrant to really make a statement.
29
Install New Lighting
Studio Ashby
If there's anything that can single-handedly polish off a room, it's a light fixture. Case in point? That brass pendant light. It feels much more refined and sophisticated than a table lamp would and contrasts with the more traditional elements throughout the bedroom.
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Paint Your Floors
Thomas Loof
Can you imagine how simple this bathroom looked before it had a bright blue floor? The quick change allows the tub to take center stage. We'd want to soak in there all day long.
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Put a Bold Floor Lamp in the Corner
Studio DB
This little corner is sleek, stylish, and perfectly handsome as is, thanks to the modern leather lounger and graphic rug.
But that floor-to-ceiling lamp is an architectural stunner that really brings in that added wow factor. Look for a floor lamp that doubles as artwork for a similar vibe.
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Introduce Contrast
Catherine Kwong Design
To create an interesting contrast, replace one thing in an otherwise totally traditional room with something super modern, like this geometric coffee table and abstract-painted floor.
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Add a Bench at the End of Your Bed
Nicole Franzen
You don't need a footboard. A bench will get the same job done. It'll help anchor your bed, act as a spot to sit and put shoes on, and serve as storage for extra pillows and blankets.
34
Rearrange Your Furniture
Nicole Franzen
Symmetry, who? Your chairs and couches don't have to line up—in fact, you don't even have to have chairs.
Put your side table in the corner flanked by two sofas, and if you don't have enough armchairs for a classic living room setup, just place floor cushions by the coffee table.
35
Go Minimalist
Leanne Ford Interiors
Pare your stuff way down and your room will look totally different. This doubles as a makeover and spring cleaning all in one.
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Add a Statement Tablecloth
House Beautiful
A bold, patterned tablecloth can instantly make a traditional space a little more eclectic. This one picks up the blues in the wallpaper.
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Play With Proportion
PHOTO: Dustin Askland; DESIGN: Elizabeth Roberts Architecture & Design
This exquisite living room is playing with shape and scale in so many ways—each design detail offers a universe of inspiration.
For extra impact and proportional intrigue, hang an oversized mirror. Keep it simple and sleek, opt for a cool shape or color, or keep it classic with an antique.
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Put Your Collectables on Display
Leanne Ford Interiors
If you've been collecting something for a long time and aren't sure where to put your knick-knacks, install a floating shelf in your room of choice and then line them up. We love the sense of nostalgia these vintage glass bottles add to the bedroom.
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Screw in a Colorful Light Bulb
Black Lacquer Design
For an unexpected (and easy) pop of color, trade in your classic bulb for a bright one. It adds the same vibe as a neon sign without taking up any space on the wall. Try it in a hallway or entryway, where décor moments are precious and square footage is limited.
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Introduce Florals
Robson Rak
Adding a nice floral arrangement can beautify a whole room on its own. The shapely vase, accompanying artwork, and unique rose gold faucet in this bathroom don't hurt either.
41
Add Seating to Your Floor
Courtesy of Jesse Parris-Lamb
You could sit on your couch—or you could sit on the comfiest floor pillows ever. We'll take the latter.
See more at Nicole Franzen.
42
Swap Your Window Shades
House Beautiful
You've been there and done that with fabric drapery and Roman shades, so swap your window treatment for an alternative texture, like bamboo. We're swooning over this wild bathroom.
43
Mix in Metallics
House Beautiful
Does anything make a statement like something shiny and gold? Add a metallic light fixture, sculpture, or vase to instantly upgrade your room.
44
Update Bedding Seasonally
Courtesy of Ronen Lev for Nicole Franzen
Jonathan Scott, home design expert and brand ambassador for Stearns & Foster, recommends owning two sheet and comforter sets, so you can swap them out by the season. "In winter, you want warm and inviting bedding, like faux fur and bulky blankets," he says.
See more at Nicole Frazen.
45
Wallpaper a Small Space
Nicole Franzen
Wallpapering a small room or closet will give it a surprising edge. Do the whole room, or just use scraps to line drawers, cabinets, and backsplashes. You could also opt for a statement ceiling.
46
Create a Statement Wall
Jonny Valiant
Designer Zim Loy discovered Harkerware on eBay: "There's tons of it, and it's so cheap!" She started collecting it for her dining room, then covered the whole wall with plates to create the same effect as one big piece of art.
(Here's how to hang your own plate wall).
47
Move Furniture Away From the Walls
Courtesy of Tessa Neustadt
Floating furniture away from the walls creates more intimate seating. That means all you have to do is shift your furnishings a few inches to totally transform the vibe in a room.
See more at Amber Interiors.
48
Add Cozy Textiles
Courtesy of Tessa Neustadt
Printed, colorful textiles add so much personality. And as if the bright-colored rug and sleek mounted lights weren't enough, this bedroom has also got a seriously swoon-worthy pendant. The Moroccan-inspired fixture adds eclectic appeal and helps anchor the space.
See more at Amber Interiors.
49
Show Off an Antique
Courtesy of Tessa Neustadt
The copper tub is obviously the star of this bathroom, but it doesn't have to feel dated.
A ladder and cool, bohemian rug help it feel more modern.
See more at Amber Interiors.
50
Recover Your Furniture
David A. Land
The super-easy way to switch up your furniture game? Buy a slipcover. It'll be much quicker than fully reupholstering a piece.
51
Ditch Your Coffee Table Base
Courtesy of Nicole Franzen
If you've got a marble-top coffee table, take it off and place it on the floor. Prop it up with some books for a bohemian update.
See more at Nicole Franzen.
52
Lay Down a Rug
Courtesy of Tessa Neustadt
Boho? Rustic? Traditional? The rug you choose can instantly change the whole aesthetic of your room.
See more at Amber Interiors.
53
Mix and Match Chairs
Miki Duisterhof
Swap out your formal chairs (in this case, bright blue and green ones) for a few rustic metal ones.
This creates a more casual atmosphere in the dining room.
54
Hang a Colorful Curtain
JULIAN WASS
For the entrance hall of this Pennsylvania farmhouse, designer Jeffrey Bilhuber opted for a curtain instead of a door. The deep yellow fabric pops against the regal blue wall color and adds rich texture to the space.
55
Add Color on Open Shelves
NGOC MINH NGO
Open shelving allows for fast and easy decor changes. Blue accents stand out against a neutral palette.
Hadley Mendelsohn Senior Editor Hadley Mendelsohn is House Beautiful's senior design editor and the co-host and executive producer of the podcast Dark House.
Contemporary style home office design: ideas, furniture, layout
New technologies allow many people to work from home, so there is a need to equip the office.
A properly organized workplace helps you perform work tasks efficiently and easily. At the same time, the design of a home office means a lot - a harmonious atmosphere and pleasant colors set you in a businesslike mood and charge you with positive energy.
Basic rules for the interior of an office in a house or apartment
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Restraint in decor and colors, the absence of annoying and colorful details.
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Soundproofing. It is advisable to allocate a working area in a secluded part of the house or isolate it with partitions so that extraneous sounds do not interfere with work.
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The right choice of "sitting" furnishings. The main characteristic of home office furniture is ergonomics, that is, the ability to adapt to the anatomical features of a person.
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Placement of the workplace. The table is positioned so that the seated person sees the front door, and the light from the window falls on the left.
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Accessories. Flowers in pots, photographs, paintings and other art objects will help to give uniqueness and comfort to the interior of your home office.
Modern home office features
Often, the interior of a home office is designed in a modern style, since this direction is the most universal. This design has a number of features:
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Geometry, functionality, minimalism in furnishings and decoration.
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Open spaces without partitions and bulky things.
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Fancy elements in the interior. Stained-glass windows, mosaics, "strange" lamps and candlesticks, abstract paintings, a table of an unusual design - all this is about the design of a home office in a modern style.
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Use in the decoration of elements made of wood, leather, glass and plastic, stretch ceilings with a matte or glossy surface and laminate.
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Good lighting and large windows to make the room look bright.
How to choose office furniture
When designing a home office in a modern style, it is important to choose the right furniture for the office. The main requirement for products is functionality, compactness, ease of operation.
Desk.
The size of the furniture varies according to need. Tables with an add-on, small shelves and drawers are welcome, where you can put various little things.
Office chair.
In a home mini-office, you can not do without an ergonomic chair with a headrest and armrests, which allows you to adjust the angle of the backrest and the height of the seat according to the person's parameters.
Upholstered furniture.
The large room will fit a comfortable sofa or a couple of armchairs, creating a relaxation zone where you can relax and have a cup of coffee during a break. Upholstered furniture is indispensable if it is planned to hold meetings with business partners in the office.
Cabinets (racks for office equipment, racks, shelves, cabinets).
The main requirement for this furniture is convenience and a small depth of the shelves so that you can easily get the necessary things and papers. Modular sets are very convenient - in this case, individual elements can be assembled to your own taste.
Home office interior ideas
Choosing the interior of a home office, it is necessary to take into account the lifestyle, profession, social status, personal preferences of the owner, as well as the size of the room.
Colour.
A good idea for a home office is a design in chocolate, cognac, gray, golden hues, black and white. It is worth considering the effect of color on mood. For example, green will provide a burst of energy, while blue or cyan will help you focus. Light colors will fill the office with an atmosphere of comfort and tranquility, but dark colors can act depressingly.
Lighting.
If the main lighting is insufficient, additional sources can be attracted: a chandelier, a spotlight, LED strips built into furniture facades, a floor lamp or a clothespin lamp.
Curtains.
This element can be an expressive touch that supports the overall design idea. Curtains should be in harmony with the interior of the office. A good option would be roller blinds or Roman blinds or straight curtains with a discreet pattern.
Small office design
Limited space is not a reason to refuse a home office. But you have to limit yourself to a minimum of furniture - a table, a chair, a couple of shelves. In this case, the working area may not be distinguished by a partition, but only indicated by lighting or other wall decoration.
To make a small space cozy, it is important to choose the right furniture for your home office. For example, instead of hanging shelves and bulky cabinets, use a light open rack. And replace a full-fledged table with a weightless design in the form of a console that saves space.
Small cabinets do not tolerate dark colors. Light surfaces, white or beige furniture, good lighting help to achieve harmony, and at the same time visually enlarge the space. For ease of home office design, you can use airy furniture made of glass, metal and plastic, small shelving, folding and sliding tables.
Examples of layouts for a home office in the photo
The design of a home office with a harmonious design contributes to the creation of a comfortable interior, awakens the imagination and cheers up. Whichever of the design options for a modern office would you choose, be sure to take a look at the selected photo ideas - for sure, there will be an inspiring example among them. Do not be afraid to experiment - by combining styles, textures and color palettes, you can get a unique space where it is convenient to create and work. Beautiful cabinets in the photo are excellent examples of competent design and layout in different styles and shades.
We hope that a selection of photos of the interiors of home offices will help to implement plans and realize the most daring creative ideas.
You can also purchase office furniture from the IDCollection online store. The salon catalog contains a wide range of exclusive models of furniture and interior accessories from the world's best designers.
Home office interior design | Blog Angstrem
12/24/2015
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Working from home is an increasingly common trend. Hardworking people around the world are trying to create a creative and inspiring atmosphere in the workplace at home.
SMALL HOME OFFICE
If you live in a small apartment and you need to use all the space, then a niche under the mezzanine with a bed can be a great compact office. You can use antique wooden boxes to store magazines and documents.
Even without a special niche, you can organize your workspace with shelves, countertops and drawers. A small home office doesn't require a lot of space, but it does require creativity and handicrafts.
A corner in the living room can be a great option for organizing your workspace. Carefully selected decor that matches the surrounding interior will help to make the workplace part of the overall design. A comfortable office chair is of paramount importance for those who spend a lot of time at their desk, so choose a chair that is both comfortable and aesthetically pleasing.
WOMAN SPACE
The interior of a home office for a woman should demonstrate the excellent taste of her mistress: only the necessary things in a conspicuous place, good lighting, harmony between the color of the furniture and the surrounding space, comfortable and functional pieces of furniture to maintain a comfortable working atmosphere. A good way to add more style and extra comfort to your home office interior is to put in a pair of upholstered chairs that match the color and style.
MEN'S WORKSPACE
In the men's office, everything should be clearly planned. What is the purpose of a home office: for intensive work, for a home library, for creativity or a favorite hobby? Expensive classics, stylish hi-tech, brutal loft or country-style creative workshop - there are many options, but the character of the interior should remain independent and strong.
The protagonist of the men's home office is a desk that emphasizes the status of the owner and sets a serious mood. Traditionally, furniture for a man's home office is made from dark woods.
The curtains on the windows are thick, discreet in color, merge with the walls and complement the overall style of the interior. Naturally, no frills, frills and lambrequins.
OFFICE INTERIOR DESIGN
When free space is not a problem and you can allocate an entire room for a home office, then there is no limit to inspiration and creativity.
Cream-colored furniture flooded with natural sunlight, or elegant classics in warm wood - the choice of modern furniture for a home library or office is not organic. Pay special attention to the details that create a cozy working environment: paintings, family photos in passe-partout frames, fresh flowers, wicker wastebaskets, beautiful interior clocks, window textiles - whatever!
Since the home office is the place where you spend most of your time, the physical and psychological comfort in the home office interior should be up to par. Create a truly creative and inspiring atmosphere by adding bold and cheerful colors, houseplants and favorite books.
Just one picture can change a dull work environment, because art affects every person in our daily life, without exception.
ATTIC HOME OFFICE
Converting an attic into a home office or library is a great idea from every angle: great view from the window, hardly anyone disturbs you while you work, ample storage space, unlimited space for creative ideas.
