Home Decorating Design Tips

Home decorating design is about more than just choosing a paint color and moving furniture around. When it comes to creating a beautifully decorated interior, professional designers consider function, mood and personality. The right decor will show off the family that lives there, set a cheerful tone and make visitors feel welcome. The secret to a successful decor scheme is attention to detail in all aspects of the project. In the home, this means bringing in decorative accents that you wouldn’t normally think of using.

A beautiful fireplace mantel is a must-have for any well-decorated living space. However, a lot of people run into trouble when trying to balance the number of items displayed on the surface. A single statement piece can serve as a focal point and keep the look organized, but it’s important to add plenty of other decor elements to make the mantel truly stand out.

Another often-overlooked aspect of home decorating is the ceiling. Adding a pop of color or a simple textural treatment can completely transform the look and feel of a room. Whether you’re using a painted ceiling as a backdrop for a collection of artwork or lining it with natural materials like wood paneling, the ceiling is a blank canvas that’s ready to be personalized.

Similarly, the backs of doors and cabinets don’t typically get the same love as walls and windows, but they can serve as a lovely display space for decorative accents. If you have an eye for detail, you can use a gorgeous door to frame artwork, add a light fixture and even create a cozy seating nook with a bench.

Gallery wall ideas aren’t just for living rooms — they can also elevate staircases and kitchens. South Carolina-based interior designer and Homes & Gardens contributor Rachel Crow is a fan of using staircases as a spot for an art display, while the kitchen is the perfect place for pretty cutting boards, trivets and cookware.

The most common culprit of an unorganized decor scheme is visual clutter, which is created by too many decorative elements piled up on a single surface or in a small space. This can be as simple as shifting a coffee table or sofa away from the wall to allow for more air and space around the furniture.

Lastly, don’t forget the outside of your home. Even if you don’t plan to hang a painting in your garden, adding a pop of color with a door or window box can instantly elevate the look of a house and attract more guests. Changing the color of exterior walls is another easy way to freshen up the appearance of a home, and it can be as simple as repainting.