Redecorating my home has often felt like trying to solve a giant puzzle where half the pieces don’t even fit. I know I’m not alone in wanting a space that looks straight out of a magazine, but I’ve learned the hard way that not every trendy idea is worth your time or money.
That’s why I put together 12 decorating tricks that actually work wonders and 5 popular trends you’re better off avoiding. These tried-and-true tips helped me create a beautiful, practical home without spending a fortune, and I’m excited to share them so you can do the same.
1. Statement Wall In Bold Color
Painting just one wall in a bold, unexpected color creates instant drama without overwhelming your space. Navy blue, forest green, or even black can look stunning when done right.
The key is balance – keep the rest of your room neutral and simple. This trick works wonders in living rooms, bedrooms, and even small spaces like powder rooms.
Plus, it’s budget-friendly and easily changeable if you get bored!
2. Mixed Metal Finishes
Forget matching all your hardware! Mixing metals like brass, black, and chrome creates visual interest and depth. The secret? Pick one dominant metal and use 1-2 others as accents.
This approach works beautifully in kitchens with brass cabinet pulls, stainless appliances, and matte black faucets. Even bathrooms shine with mixed metal light fixtures, mirrors, and towel bars.
Just keep the overall style consistent for a pulled-together look.
3. Layered Lighting Sources
Banish those boring ceiling lights! Great rooms need three lighting types: ambient (overall), task (functional), and accent (decorative). A living room might combine recessed ceiling lights with a floor lamp near the reading chair and table lamps on side tables.
Smart bulbs that change brightness and warmth add extra flexibility. No electrician needed for most of these changes!
Good lighting transforms your space from flat to fabulous instantly.
4. Gallery Wall With Personal Photos
Nothing says “this is our home” like walls filled with memories! Gallery walls showcase your personality and create conversation starters. Mix frame styles for a collected-over-time vibe, or stick to matching frames for a cleaner look.
Black and white photos create cohesion when your images vary in color and subject. Start in the middle and work outward, keeping 2-3 inches between frames.
Pro tip: arrange frames on the floor first to perfect your layout!
5. Large Scale Indoor Plants
Big plants make big impact! A tall fiddle leaf fig or monstera instantly fills empty corners and adds life to any room. Can’t keep plants alive? Many realistic faux options exist now that fool even plant experts.
Place plants near windows but avoid direct sun that burns leaves. Large plants draw the eye up, making ceilings feel higher and rooms more spacious.
Bonus: real plants improve air quality and your mood—science says so!
6. Textured Neutral Throw Pillows
Pillows are like jewelry for your furniture! Instead of flat, boring options, choose pillows with interesting textures like chunky knits, tassels, or woven patterns in neutral shades. They add dimension without competing with other room elements.
Try an odd number grouping—three pillows on a sofa looks more natural than two or four. Vary sizes too: mix 22-inch, 20-inch and lumbar shapes for that designer look.
Bonus: swapping pillows seasonally refreshes your space without major investment!
7. Floating Shelves With Curated Objects
Floating shelves offer storage that feels light and airy instead of bulky. The magic happens in what you display! Mix useful and beautiful items—books stacked horizontally with a small plant or candle on top, a framed photo leaning against the wall, and a unique object you love.
Follow the rule of three: group items in odd numbers for visual appeal. Leave some empty space too—crowded shelves look messy.
Rearrange seasonally to keep things fresh!
8. Vintage Rug Over Neutral Flooring
Vintage rugs pack serious personality punch! Their faded colors and worn patterns add character even to brand-new spaces. Look for Turkish, Persian, or Moroccan styles—even reproductions work well if authentic ones exceed your budget.
Place under dining tables, in living rooms, or bedrooms to add instant warmth. The slightly worn look actually hides new stains better than pristine rugs!
Unexpected bonus: vintage rugs often cost less than new mass-produced options while looking way more special.
9. Oversized Art As Focal Point
One massive piece of art creates more impact than several small pieces! Look for something at least 40″ wide that speaks to you—abstract paintings, landscape photography, or even framed textiles work beautifully.
Hang at eye level (approximately 57″ from floor to center) above sofas, beds, or console tables. Large art draws the eye immediately and sets the room’s color palette.
Afraid of commitment? Large engineer prints of your own photos in simple frames offer big impact for tiny prices!
10. Natural Wood Elements
Wood brings warmth to modern spaces that might otherwise feel cold. Try incorporating a live-edge coffee table, wooden bowl collection, or exposed ceiling beams if your architecture allows.
Mixing wood tones actually looks more natural than matching everything perfectly. Light oak, rich walnut, and weathered driftwood can all live happily in the same room.
Fun fact: studies show natural materials like wood reduce stress levels in our homes—who couldn’t use that benefit?
11. Smart Storage Furniture
Storage that looks good? Yes please! Ottoman coffee tables with hidden compartments for blankets, platform beds with drawers underneath, and benches with lift-up seats keep clutter contained without sacrificing style.
Look for pieces that serve double duty—a gorgeous credenza that hides your printer and files, or a window seat with toy storage. These furniture MVPs work especially hard in smaller homes.
Remember: the most beautiful room feels stressful if filled with visible clutter!
12. Bathroom Hardware Upgrade
Swapping dated bathroom hardware takes 30 minutes but looks like a complete renovation! Replace builder-grade towel bars, toilet paper holders, and drawer pulls with matching pieces in matte black, brushed gold, or polished nickel.
Even rental bathrooms can get this upgrade—just save the original pieces to reinstall when moving. Add a new shower curtain and towels in complementary colors for maximum impact.
This might be the highest return-on-investment update in your entire home!
13. All-White Everything
The all-white room trend looks amazing on Instagram but fails spectacularly in real homes with kids, pets, or humans who occasionally spill things. White sofas and rugs require constant cleaning and often look dingy after just months of normal use.
White walls work fine, but pair them with furniture in more forgiving colors and patterns. Nobody wants to live in a home where they’re afraid to actually live!
Save yourself stress and skip this impractical trend altogether.
14. Open Shelving In Kitchens
Those gorgeous open kitchen shelves in magazines? They’re styled by professionals and photographed before anyone actually cooks! In reality, open shelving collects grease and dust that’s tough to clean.
Unless you own exclusively beautiful matching dishes and have time to arrange them perfectly, your shelves will look cluttered. Most families need the hidden storage that cabinets provide.
Maybe compromise with one small section of open shelving for display, keeping practical storage behind closed doors.
15. Word Art Signs
“Live Laugh Love” and “Home Sweet Home” signs have officially reached peak saturation! These mass-produced text decorations make homes look generic rather than personal. Your guests can probably figure out where the kitchen is without a sign pointing the way.
Instead, display art that means something to you—a landscape from a favorite vacation spot or a local artist’s work. Even children’s artwork looks more interesting than another “Gather” sign above the dining table.
Your home should tell your unique story, not generic platitudes!
16. Tiny Accent Pillows
Those cute little 12-inch throw pillows might look adorable in the store, but they’re practically useless in real life. Too small to provide actual back support or comfort, they end up looking like forgotten afterthoughts on your furniture.
Go bigger! A 20-22 inch pillow creates proper proportion on standard sofas and offers actual functionality. Small pillows get lost on larger furniture pieces and create visual clutter without purpose.
When it comes to pillows, sometimes bigger really is better!
17. Uncomfortable Statement Chairs
We’ve all seen them—those wildly sculptural chairs that look amazing but feel like sitting on medieval torture devices. No matter how stunning that spindly acrylic ghost chair or rigid metal statement piece looks, nobody will sit in it if it hurts their back.
Always test furniture before buying! A gorgeous chair that remains perpetually empty defeats its purpose entirely. Good design should marry form AND function.
Remember: your home should look good AND feel good to actually live in.