Small changes can make a big difference when accessorizing rooms in your house. Whether you are looking to revitalize your décor or find the perfect finishing touches, here are some easy tips to help you create the right look and atmosphere:
Start with a clean slate
Susan Wesley of Laguna Niguel, Calif.-based Wesley Design Inc. recommends clearing out the clutter before you start accessorizing your home. You can go room by room so you do not let the task overwhelm you, but make sure you don't add until you subtract. A neat work space gives you a fresh start and leaves more room for creativity, Wesley says.
Change a few things
Marc Thee, the founder of Marc-Michaels Interior Design, says small, inexpensive changes can make all the difference in a room. He suggests starting with a few modifications to your main living area. Throw pillows are a simple and budget-friendly way to get creative with color and patterns, and they are easy to change. Introduce a table lamp to brighten up the space. Hang a mirror to make a room look more spacious.
"Adding vases to your home is great for fresh flowers from the garden," he says. "When your vases do not have flowers in them you can add fresh lemons, which is a great way to add color on a budget."
When it comes to your kitchen or dining room, Aimee Beatty, Pier 1 Imports' in-house stylist, suggests adding decorative napkin rings to your table.
Accessorizing your bedroom is as easy as changing the sheets. Swap out the dark flannels for white cotton, says Susanna Salk, stylist and the author of "Be Your Own Decorator: Taking Confidence and Cues by the World's Leading Designers."
"Add a snazzy sateen or cotton quilt at the foot of the bed for extra warmth and style," she adds.
Add personal touches
Wesley recommends including sculptures, art work or other interesting objects throughout the house.
"If you are changing your style, you may want to reframe those family pics or try to arrange them into a new format," she says. "Just remember art does not have to match the interiors of the space. It's all about you and what piques your interest."
Sort through heirlooms, collectables and hand-me-downs that will shine through in the room's design. Create groupings according to color, shape or design. Alternate heights and try out groupings with odd numbers. Experiment with the placements; you can always make changes if you don't like the way something turns out.
Outdoor accessories
You can also think outside the box by adding some pizazz to your patio. Beatty suggests merging different seating and dining groups to creating an outdoor arrangement that is both functional and stylish.
"Try adding dining for two to your seating group or add outdoor accessories to areas that have remained untouched," she says. "Creating an outdoor living environment is all about creating an outdoor ambiance that has never existed before."