10 Affordable Decor Tweaks You Can Make in a Flash for a More Stylish Living Room

Adding a few great accessories to a coffee table or sofa are touches that make a living room look like you’ve done a lot more than you have. They are also the first thing people notice when they enter your home, which is why it’s always a good idea to play with fashion and introduce personality. Work in fun pieces with a nod to the season, and have enough cushions, lamps, and vases for variety. Here are 10 ways to make your home decor accessories work as a team in your living room.

1. Create symmetry.

Go for a pair of matching lamps on side tables flanking a sofa for a polished look. Use multiples of the same cushion, and repeat colors; repetition soothes and balances.

2. Style your throw cushions.

Although styling a sofa with throw cushions is a matter of preference, the aim is to create a space that feels inviting and comfortable. I recommend doing away with unnecessary cushions and opting instead for two properly made cushions with ethical down filling. Try a bespoke cushion in a luxe velvet or embossed silk in the middle.

3. Follow the ‘Rule of Three.’

When styling a space, always work with uneven numbers on surfaces — think one, three, or five. Start with a horizontal object, such as a coffee table book or tray; add something tall and vertical, such as a vase or candlestick; then add a low and bulky item, like a paperweight or bowl. This style technique is foolproof.

4. Add a throw rug.

A beautiful cashmere or wool throw rug folded on your sofa will add life, warmth, and comfort.

(Photo Credit: Getty Images)

5. Style the coffee table.

Start with something large in the middle, like a huge basket filled with a plant, a flower arrangement, or a hurricane shade. Build out from that with stacks of books or candles. Pile glossy hardcovers or magazines in deep stacks to the edges. They will finish your table and reflect your style.

But be careful that you don’t go overboard! There’s no need to be a total minimalist, but curating your things will keep you from looking like a hoarder. You should aim to keep surfaces clutter-free.

6. Select an accent color.

Keep accent shades to a minimum. One is more dramatic than two. Every new accent you add muddles the effect of the others, from colors to magazines, flowers, plants, or candles.

7. Go glamorous.

From baskets to bowls, we’re always on the lookout for pieces that can freshen an old room for far less than a complete overhaul. A beautiful bronze accent piece can refresh any space.

8. Makeover your ottoman.

Pop a tray or low basket on top of your ottoman to create the perfect place to display everything.

9. Organize your tabletop.

A wicker tray breaks up a coffee table, and can also be used as a stylish way to entertain when serving guests food and drinks.

10. Add flowers and greenery.

Blooms in small flashes also have big impact. Stick to one or two hues for maximum effect. The vase you choose is vital. 

Indoor greenery is a quick way to soften tabletops, add focal points, and make a room look lived-in. Adding a vintage basket filled with a bromeliad, agave, cyclamen, or orchid is a time-honored look that graces the best houses everywhere.

This article was originally written by Melissa Penfold. For more, check out our sister site, Homes to Love.

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