from the publishers of: Verywell, Real Simple, EatingWell, Shape, Parents, Health and Allrecipes
Furniture and paint play a huge role in establishing your home’s tone, but the tiny details in every room are equally important to completing a space and showcasing your personality. What gives a room that “put together,” thoughtful feel isn’t a huge statement piece; it’s the lamps, the art, the drapes, the foresight to put an overhead light on a dimmer, or the floor-to-ceiling bookcase stuffed with well-loved family favorites.
So what details in your own home might deserve a second look? Expert designers weigh in on the little details in your home you might be overlooking.
When asked about small solutions that make a big impact, Kylie Ponton of Ponton Interiors in Tampa, Florida, immediately said wallpaper. “It can be peel-and-stick or traditionally hung, depending on your budget and the style that you find. We use wallpaper in every single project we do for clients. We usually recommend it for multiple rooms because it has such a big impact and adds tons of visual interest with texture, pattern, and color.”
Wallpaper has become so accessible in the last few years. Hundreds of custom wallpaper shops have emerged on Etsy, and the retail availability of peel-and-stick wallpaper options has become nearly ubiquitous to meet increased demand. What used to be an option only for those with higher budgets has now become something that can be incredibly budget-friendly and”add a huge punch to a room,” says Kylie.
Lighting in a room is key. It provides a sense of warmth and invites you to relax. But lighting is also easy to get wrong. Relying on harsh overhead lighting can cause a room to feel clinical and cold while too few lights make a room feel dim and sleepy.
“We noticed a really big trend at High Point Market in North Carolina,” says Kylie. “Lots of lighting manufacturers went big on portable lamps.” This lamp trick allows you to use USB-based rechargeable lamps to achieve the perfect balance of lighting in your room. “It’s genius because we often have a space where a lamp would add a beautiful touch: an accent, a pop of color. But if the room’s in an older house that wasn’t designed with outlets in mind, it can be challenging to properly place them,” she says. Rechargeable lamps are a brilliant small touch that allows you to add just the right amount of light anywhere.
The bookworms among us will be glad to know that books are one of the best ways to bring warmth and personality to a room. Stacking just the right pile of sizable books on a coffee table is an easy way to add a sense of styling and showcase your interests. Do you love fashion? Travel? Do you have a niche interest like a particular historical event or a collector’s item? Rummaging through your local flea markets, estate sales, and thrift shops can produce some true gems in the coffee table book department.
Beyond just the coffee table, though, holding onto books you’ve read can allow for some beautiful styling opportunities (think Belle’s library in Beauty and the Beast). Go maximalist if you’ve got tons to work with, using built-ins to layer books, plants, and sentimental objects, or minimalist if your home is calmer and more modern. “Accessories add real depth and interest to your home,” says designer Susan Chancey of Asheville, North Carolina. Style your shelves with a couple of books and a beautiful bowl filled with something unique to add visual interest.”
Window treatments, like rugs, can really make a room feel finished. Custom details, like patterns and trim, create a polished look. But that doesn’t mean you have to break the bank.
“If you have a simple panel curtain or window treatment, even something that’s ready-made, you can use fabric trim, a braided detail, or a pompom—something with a little pattern to it–to create a custom look. Using this trick on the leading edge of your curtains or drapes can add a unique touch and distinguish yours from the same store-bought panels in other homes.”
Maybe the apex of trends over the last several years is the adoption of dozens of indoor plants. There’s no question about the health benefits indoor plants can provide, but from a style perspective, they’re hard to beat.
“Real live plants,” says Susan, “bring oxygen to your world and add a pop of color. Even going out into your yard and styling a few branches in a huge vase provides an eye-catching moment of ‘cool.'” If you’re a beginner in the world of green thumbs, try a snake plant, spider plant, or peace lily. Extra points if you invest in a cool spray bottle for leaf watering of the vintage, gold, funky variety.