I recently had a reader who wrote in saying “I’m great with the big items like furniture but I suck with the minor details. My dining room hasn’t had curtains in 5 years and I don’t have any pictures on my wall.”
While big pieces are often the first thing we work on in the room (hello… the couch is big, it needs to be picked first!) a couch with nothing else in the room can be a bit of a let down. We need layers to add visual interest… pillows, blankets, rugs, books, boxes, chairs, pictures, candlesticks! You get the idea!
So here are my best tips for adding the “minor details” to your room! These are tips you can implement in an hour, a weekend or even a day! Quick things you can do a little at a time… because my first tip is to take your time. The best rooms weren’t thrown together in an hour but collected over time.
Looking for a bunch of posts on organization & planning? I’ve got you covered! Click here to see all of my organization & planning posts in one place!
While many people think they need to go pro, create a mood board, stick to it and be done… I say a mood board is a great jumping off point. Notice how my board for our new guest bedroom has great bones (all the big pieces) but none of the details are there? Start with the basics and then add layers! Picture frames with your post cards from Europe, the side table your great grandma gave you, a chair you spent six months saving up for. Add in the personal details… surround yourself with things you love and you can never go wrong!
Just make sure that added layers doesn’t turn into too much clutter! Of course only you can be the judge of how much is too much… but if it gets to be too much clutter try corralling it all with a pretty tray or decorative box! Putting all of the bills into a patterned container hides those messy envelopes while adding a fun pop to the room… likewise placing the remotes into a rustic wooden tote removes clutter from the coffee table while adding a touch of warmth to the space. As I always say… just put a lid on it! Take this box on my bed side table for example… it holds all my little odds and ends. Books, chap-stick, my diary… things that would be sitting out looking junky otherwise! A cute box is much better!
Try adding extra seating… small poofs, a slipper chair, floor pillows! Not only will these items serve as extra spaces to park small bums they serve as visual interest. They typically add an extra height level to the room (because they are low to the ground) and can be paired with another item! Try an patterned ottoman in front of you favorite chair or a pair of knitted poofs under a side table. My personal favorite? A basket of floor pillows! I have a pair of soft fuzzy floor pillows I bought in college on a whim… they’re so comfy and the best thing to grab for a fun movie night.
I am a big advocate for rugs… rugs on hardwood, rugs on other rugs, rugs on carpet… I even bought a small faux fur rug to throw over the hubby’s desk chair recently! Rugs add warmth, texture and pattern that is so important for a space! Try searching discount stores for that perfect piece… here’s a tip for a larger room. Try searching your local carpet stores for remnants. Most carpet stores have them and will bind them into larger area rugs for a small cost… then you have a large area rug for a fraction of the cost! Score! I found the rug in our living room at At Home for $99… however I have seen the same pattern rug in a remnant section! They had several size pieces available: a 5×6 for $30 and a hall runner for $15! That’s one heck of a good deal!
Every space needs variety! Make sure to use a mixture of patterns and textures to make your accessories sing! The golden rule of thumb in pattern mixing is the rule of three’s: one large geometric print, one medium print and one smaller repeating print! If you’re not an expert on mixing patterns (um hello… definitely not an expert over here!) try sticking to a simple color theme… a common color will tie all of your patterns together! Once you’ve picked out several patterns try adding textures… rustic natural woods, smooth leathers, knitted ottomans, glass vases, painted furniture and soft fluffy pillows all work together to add layers to a room! Try mixing as many textures together as possible for an eclectic look or pick two (like rustic and soft… think rough woods paired with thick knobby blankets) for a more cohesive feel.
Tip: Try adding pattern in unexpected places like the back of a bookcase! I added a pop of fun with wallpaper to these worn out bookcases to add life to my office… what use to be a beaten down piece of my childhood bedroom is now a functional bookshelf!
Let’s Recap:
1. Take your time. The best rooms weren’t thrown together in an hour but collected over time.
2. Add in the personal details… surround yourself with things you love and you can never go wrong!
3. Too much clutter? Try corralling it all with a pretty tray or decorative box!
4. Try adding extra seating… small poofs, a slipper chair, floor pillows!
5. Rugs add warmth, texture and pattern that is so important for a space!
6. Try adding pattern in unexpected places!
Over time your room will start to feel less like the basic mood board we started with and more like the warm, inviting, memory filled home we were searching for! Do you have any tips for adding the “minor details” in your home?
A mood board is a great idea. It’s definitely all about the little things.
I definitely agree Robin! A mood board is a great staring off point… helps you to lay out all of your ideas and know what your “must haves” are… or what you “have to work with”! Then you can figure out what little details to work in! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Great tips, I love these! I love your picks for the blue and grey too, so pretty!
Thanks Miss Angie! I love blue, grey and white so it tends to show up in most of my home! You’re so sweet for stopping by!
These are great tips! Minor details can be so important but can also be overlooked. I can’t wait to decorate my own apartment in a couple months!
Decorating a new apartment is so much fun! The little details really make the most impact! Good luck… can’t wait to see what you do with your new space!
Such great trips! It’s important to remember you don’t have to always rush to get a room done – sometimes doing it over time means it turns out even better! Also love using decorative trays and adding extra seating!
I always want things done NOW but remembering to take my time is so important! Thanks for stopping by Meg!
Great tips! Its the little things that give a home that personal touch
I completely agree Jasmine it’s the little details that make a house into a home!
Oh my gosh. That pillow for the guest room. My mother in law would be mortified, but maybe then she’d stay in a hotel and not my guest room 😉 Great post, I am awful at decorating so will take all the tips I can get.
I think that is my favorite part of the board! Haha! Luckily all of my in-laws would think that’s hilarious… Now my mom? Not so much!
I’m the same way! I can focus on the big, but when it comes to the details, I can I’ms sometimes clueless. Great tips here.
I’m glad the tips helped! The big picture is always easier than the small… But the small stuff is so much fun!
That’s ok! There’s no wrong way to decorate… Just pick things you love! Thank you so much for stopping by!
Thanks for this post! I definitely need help in that department of the small details. I literally laughed out loud from that “we had sex on this bed” pillow!!!
That pillow always steals the show! Haha! But it’s quirky which is something I love… So that’s a great small detail for us!
These are really very nice tips! Simple and tasteful!
Thanks Claudette! You’re so sweet!
Great tips! Right now, we don’t have many extra touches in our home because we have twin toddlers that like to destroy everything. In a few years, we can add some more stuff, but until then I like your suggestions of extra seating and the rugs. thanks!
Twin toddlers… Yup they will take it all out! Stick with the soft extras and you should be good!
Wow, those are some great tips, thanks for sharing as I am always looking for inspiration.
You’re welcome Carolyn! Thanks for stopping by!
It’s the little things that leave the biggest impression!
I completely agree Curtis! The details are so important!
I love adding little trays around to collect the clutter! These are some great tips!
Thanks Shannon! I always have clutter… So we have to corral it all somehow!
I want to redo some rooms and I don’t know why I’ve never done a mood board. I’m going to give this a try to keep me focused.
It’s a great jumping off point! Let’s you play around with what you already have and what pieces you would love to buy! Thank you so much for stopping by Erlene!
I am looking for oversized mirror and definitely will buy more accessories for the home if i have money
Money is the evil five letter word when it comes to decorating! Try stores like marshalls or their sister stores TJMaxx and homegoods… I think their mirrors are typically around 100… We bought ours there on clearance for 20! Plus there’s always DIY and thrifting for decor!
Really like these ideas. Great ways to spruce things up.
Thanks Debbie! Sometimes a little spruce is all you need!
Adding these minor details will help beautify the room. I love your ideas.
Thanks Elizabeth! That’s so sweet!
The different color palates are very chic! Beautiful rooms.
You’re such a sweetheart! Thanks for stopping by!
We are moving soon and I cannot wait to start decorating! I love all these tips, I will most definitely be using them!
You’re such a sweetheart! Thanks for stopping by! Good luck with the move! I know how hard that is 😉
Great tips! I bought my big items first then slowly bought decorations to match. I am still adding little things here and there.
That’s the way to do it Celeste! Slow decorating is so smart!
What a great list of tips. I have to laugh at your sign though.
Isn’t it hilarious? It’s actually a pillow! That way you can easily hide it when grandma comes over!