Effortless Decorating: A Pro's Secret Shortcuts
Essential Aesthetic Guidelines Transforming Any Space for Elegance
Navigating the world of decorating isn't always a walk in the park - it doesn't need to be complicated, costly, or stressful. Whether you're furnishing your first pad or revamping your longtime home, a few sneaky tricks can turn you into a decorating whiz. Let these designer-approved tips serve as your express lane to styling any room like a pro.
Originally featured in the April 2015 issue of REAL SIMPLE, written by Stephanie Sisco and Rachael Weiner, as part of their 25th anniversary celebration-and because the information remains just as valuable today.
Math Behind the Color Palette
For a winning color scheme, pick one hue for 60% of the space, a second for 30%, and a brighter one for the remaining 10%.
Entryway Formula to Slim Down
A seating area, mirror, and table (or shelf) will instantly transform your narrow entryway into a polished foyer. A tiny rug helps segment the area.
Mix up the Shapes
If your living room furniture is cuboid central, introduce a round coffee table, side tables, or ottoman for some counterbalance.
Sizing Up the Coffee Table
An ideal coffee table is two-thirds as wide as the sofa and a few inches lower than the seating heights (typically 14 - 16 inches tall).
High Hanging Curtains for High Hopes
Instead of mounting them above the window, hang curtains high (between the ceiling and the top of the window) to make your space seem more expansive. Don't let the bottoms puddle; they should barely graze the floor.
Mirrors: The Light Weighs Both Sides
Set a mirror opposite a window. It's the best way to bounce light around and create the illusion of a larger room. The optimal height to hang a mirror is 60 inches from the floor to the mirror's center.
Keep Rugs Tucked In
A rug should never swim alone on the floor. Place it under at least the front feet of a chair, couch, or bed to keep it firmly on the ground.
Pillow Math: Multiply Pattern, Subtract Chaos
Arrange one 20-inch square pillow in a bold matching pattern on each end, one 16-inch pillow in a coordinating solid color, overlapping each, and one subtly patterned lumbar (such as a pinstripe) in the middle.
Pattern Play: Two's Company, Three's a Party
Pair large-scale, bold prints with smaller, subtle prints in harmonious colors for a fail-proof pattern mix.
The Power of Three, in Threes
Cluster similar-sized accessories on a shelf or table for a more appealing arrangement; even numbers can feel repetitive and stiff.
Time-Tested Decorating Tips Worth a Second Look
- Choose lasting quality: Invest in well-made pieces that stand the test of time and trends.
- Boost architecture: A sound design foundation makes it easier to maintain a timeless look over time.
- Pick colors you adore: Ignore passing fashions and select shades that inspire you.
- Create cozy spaces: Craft inviting, functional areas with comfortable seating and dedicated zones for enjoyable activities.
- Incorporate nature: Bring warmth and timeless appeal to any room with natural elements like wood, stone, and plants.
- Strike a balance: Ensure your decor serves both aesthetic and functional purposes.
- Mix styles thoughtfully: Combine various styles or periods to create a distinctive, timeless look reflecting your personality.
- Employ strategic lighting: Enhance ambiance and functionality with a combination of light types (e.g., cool and warm).
- Textiles on point: Choose fabrics that complement each other while enhancing the overall room atmosphere.
- Personalize your space: Add personal tokens to make your home feel genuinely yours.
These principles help craft a space that is both stunning and enduring, all while staying flexible and adaptable.
- For a stylish living room decorating project, consider employing a mix of large-scale and subtle prints in harmonious colors, such as pairing a bold pattern with a smaller, subtle print for a fail-proof pattern mix (Pattern Play: Two's Company, Three's a Party).
- A simple shortcut for a beautifully adorned home is to keep rugs tucked in under at least the front feet of a chair, couch, or bed to prevent them from swimming on the floor (Keep Rugs Tucked In).
- To make a narrow entryway feel polished and transformed, incorporate a seating area, mirror, and table (or shelf) into the space, along with a small rug to segment the area (Entryway Formula to Slim Down).
- For a more balanced look in your living room, mix up the shapes of your furniture with round pieces like a coffee table, side tables, or ottoman to counteract the cuboid central pieces (Mix up the Shapes).
- High hanging curtains can make your living room seem more expansive by being mounted between the ceiling and the top of the window (High Hanging Curtains for High Hopes).
- In need of decorating tips and techniques? Look no further than articles from renowned lifestyle and home-and-garden magazines like REAL SIMPLE (Decorating Tips Worth a Second Look: Choosing lasting quality, Boost architecture, Pick colors you adore, Create cozy spaces, Incorporate nature, Strike a balance, Mix styles thoughtfully, Employ strategic lighting, Textiles on point, Personalize your space). Additionally, sites such as Pinterest can offer a wealth of inspiration (Decorating: Realsimple, pinterest).
