Home Decorating With What You Have

Home decorating with what you have is a practical and affordable way to dress up any space. Whether it’s an old lampshade that needs a new look, a stack of cookbooks on the coffee table or framed photos in attractive frames, these simple decor tweaks make your home feel more inviting.

Home Decorating with What You Have Tip #1: Embrace Your Eclectic Style

If you have a collection of something, display it on your mantel or in a pretty curio cabinet. Just be careful not to overcrowd a space with too many small collectibles, which can read as clutter rather than decor. Stick to a few prized pieces integrated with your existing decor, and the result is charming.

A focal point draws the eye and sets the tone for a room, so it’s important to include one in every decorating scheme. If a space lacks a natural attention-grabber, design your own with a large mirror or piece of artwork. You can also add interest with a grouping of smaller items, such as framed art, candles, a vignette of decorative bottles or vases, or even a stacked set of books.

The key to a successful mix of accents is to find a common color or theme. Shop your home for items that have a similar colorway and display them together on a mantel or as a table runner. For example, a collection of pitchers and bowls in a warm yellow gives unrelated objects a cohesive look.

Shop your kitchen for cookware, baking supplies, and utensils that double as decor. Long-lasting fresh fruit, such as oranges and apples, add a splash of color to the kitchen, while colorful jars full of shells or rocks can fill empty wall spaces. Shop your pantry for storage solutions that add a pop of color to the kitchen, such as a repurposed wooden bread box painted with bright blue paint or an old window treatment panel mounted to the wall as a magnetic spice board.

Tie back your curtains or refashion your drapes into a stylish valance. Use lengths of rickrack trim to dress up a plain lampshade or tie back a pair of curtains in the dining room, as seen here, or try strips of ribbon to create an easy ruffle along the bottom of a neutral-color sheer.

Adding a touch of nature to your home is an inexpensive and eco-friendly way to decorate. Birch tree limbs, driftwood branches and twigs in a vase or bowl are a natural centerpiece for a table; a collection of sea glass, shells and interesting rocks makes an easy and attractive shelf decoration; and potted plants are always welcome on the coffee table or entryway console.