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8 Important Things That Might Be Missing From Your Home Decor

by | May 28, 2019 | Decorating Inspiration

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A home won’t be finished in a day (unless you are watching a home makeover T.V. show, ha! In that case, that house will be completed in about 30 minutes.). In all likelihood, the homes we all fall in love with online or in a magazine took years, or an entire team of designers, to complete.

If your house isn’t feeling as pulled together as you’d like, or if it doesn’t feel quite like home yet, below you’ll find a list of simple but important things that your home might be missing.

Furnishing a room or an entire home can feel daunting! But don’t feel overwhelmed by the long list of things you need. You don’t have to have it all or do it all in one day. Give yourself time to add layers. Look for items that fit your budget. Expect some trial and error. Take your time deciding what you like and don’t like.

Most of all, enjoy the process of making yourself feel more at home.

Full Curtain Panels

8 Important Things That Might Be Missing From Your Home Decor
House & Home

If your home feels cold, or doesn’t feel cozy enough, curtain panels will warm it right up! Aim for wide and full curtain panels, thin panels can feel wimpy. Double up thin or narrow store bought curtains for a fuller effect.

8 Important Things That Might Be Missing From Your Home Decor
Curtain Source

Conversation Areas

8 Important Things That Might Be Missing From Your Home Decor
New England Home Mag

Don’t spread your furniture too far apart all around the room, bring it in close enough to be able to converse comfortably with others. Set up lamps nearby that you can turn on when it gets dark, have end or coffee tables within reach so you can set drinks down and find a place to put your feet up.

If you are furnishing a room scratch, you have to start somewhere. I think it makes sense to begin your investment with with a spot to sit, such as a comfortable couch or adding a dining table and chairs. From there, you can slowly add rugs, ottomans, lighting, side tables, and accessories to make your home even more cozy, functional and personal.

A Cohesive Color Palette

8 Important Things That Might Be Missing From Your Home Decor
Serena & Lily (click for room sources)

A cohesive color scheme can tie your style together and make the mood feel more relaxing and peaceful. But a cohesive color palette doesn’t mean everything has to match. Choose one hue to put on repeat, it will pull your entire color scheme together.

Breathing Room

Sometimes what is missing from a room isn’t an object, it’s breathing room! While it’s important to put your stamp of personality on your home, offer some breathing room around your furniture and accessories. Give each piece some room to shine!

Landing Spaces

8 Important Things That Might Be Missing From Your Home Decor
Pottery Barn (click for sources)

Every room should have designated landing spots for everyday things go. Otherwise, the room will begin to feel crowded and chaotic. Items you use every day, like jackets, clothing, dog leashes, or back packs all need a home. Add hooks to walls and backs of doors to create proper landing spaces for every day items.

8 Important Things That Might Be Missing From Your Home Decor
Wall Sconce Source / My Kitchen Tour & Sources

Layers of Lighting

If you rely on only the light from a single fixture in the center of your ceiling, your room will likely feel quite dreary at times. Add warmth to the corners and walls through additional sources of light. Begin with at least two lamps in your living area so the light can be more evenly and comfortably spread around the room. Add a task lamp if you work, read or do hobbies in the space.

In my kitchen, we have small can lights in the ceiling (with a dimmer), 3 wall sconces, and a table lamp on the counter in the corner.

Here are some posts on lighting:

Light Up a Dark Corner with a Wall Sconce (No Wiring Necessary!)

Beautiful and Affordable Lighting on Amazon

Wall sconces by the bed

Decor Inspiration: Lamps on Kitchen Counters

My hall makeover + battery operated library lights

Bookshelves

8 Important Things That Might Be Missing From Your Home Decor
New England Home Mag
8 Important Things That Might Be Missing From Your Home Decor
Serena & Lily (click for sources)

Bookshelves make any home more “homey” and of course, they provide organized places for display and personalization of your space. Collect books you actually have read or plan to read, or use bookshelves to group together and display favorite dishes, collections or family photos.

8 Important Things That Might Be Missing From Your Home Decor
Pottery Barn (click for source)
8 Important Things That Might Be Missing From Your Home Decor
Birch Lane
8 Important Things That Might Be Missing From Your Home Decor
Serena & Lily (click for sources)

Area Rugs

8 Important Things That Might Be Missing From Your Home Decor
House & Home

Rugs soften a room, but they also can pull an assortment of furniture together. Large rugs that nearly fill a room will make the greatest impact. In a conversation area, at least make sure that the front legs of your furniture (sofa and chairs) all sit on the rug.

18 Rugs We Have and Love (+ Tips and Where to Buy)

My Decor Shop (shop my house and latest decor finds)

My rug designs (voted by you!) for Dash & Albert

8 Important Things That Might Be Missing From Your Home Decor

Get lots of home-related tips and advice in my books!

Related posts:

How to Decorate: The Slow Process to a Style You’ll Love

5 Things Every Small Bedroom Needs

Finding Your Signature Style

How to Get Out of a Decorating Slump

One Essential Decor Element You Probably Need More of In Your Home

10 Tips for Styling a Large Living Room and Other Awkward Spaces

10 Helpful Guidelines for Decorating Walls

8 Comments

  1. Deanna Rabe

    I love this list. These are all do able things, and can do done bit by bit. I’d also add, not to have ‘stuff’ just to have it. Our decor should reflect ‘us’ not the latest trends!

  2. Sue osborne

    Having that breathing room and a designated landing spot are so important! Today I am on a decluttering mission- since it is raining (again) here in upstate NY.

    Thanks for the tips/reminders. One thing I always need to remember is to look up, beyond what is at my eye level. Dust, cobwebs? Or just to get a fresh perspective.

  3. Mary Stewart

    Forgive me for going off script, but I just love the look of your book covers. Have you ever considered turning the covers into printed fabrics? Spoonflower.com offers a design, print and sell custom fabric, wallpaper & gift wrap on-demand option. Fabric from any of your books would look wonderful as pillows, drapes, lap covers, etc, I especially love the print on your Dwelling, Gatherings and Organizing books. They even allow you to choose different saturations of the original colors to make new color options. FYI, I do not have a blog or any affiliations with Spoonflower. I’d just love to get my hands on fabrics that are inspired by/from your book covers! Have a BLESSED day!

    • Melissa @ The Inspired Room

      Oh, I love that idea, Mary! Thank you so much! You’re so sweet, I appreciate the idea and the support!! You made my day. I’ll definitely check into it!

  4. Jayne

    Great food for thought/use!

  5. Inga

    Thank you for great set of ideas! Immediately got one project on my list for my home!

  6. Carol Karl

    Hi Melissa,
    Great post – it’s good to focus on the little things you can do that have large impact. I’d love to hear your thoughts about rugs over carpet. We have dark grey carpet (ugh!) and white ship lap walls. I think a rug would lighten the space but not sure if it would really work. What do you think? Would be amazing if you could do a post about this. Thanks.

    • Melissa @ The Inspired Room

      Great idea for a post, I would totally layer rugs if you don’t love your carpet or want to change the look. It’s a great solution to change up the look in front of a sofa, too!

 

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