top 10 easy decorating tips

If you’ve been to my home more than once you know that I love to decorate, and re-decorate, and then decorate again. I appreciate change, particularly changing season to season. So it’s no surprise that this comes out in my home decor style as well.

I don’t consider myself an expert like that super tall decorating diva Candice Olsen from Divine Design on HGTV (Have you seen that show? It’s amazing to watch her in action!), or as awesome at refurbishing as Nicole Curtis from DIY Network’s Rehab Addict (talk about addiction… I can watch countless episodes of that show!). I just like to decorate, and I love dreaming up and helping others implement creative decorating ideas… Especially on a budget.

Since some of you out there can feel a bit stifled in the area if decor, I thought I’d share my Top 10 Decorating Tips for any season!

tip ONE | Use what you have. | Before I head off to spend our hard earned cash, I will always choose to use what I already have. Craft paper at the bottom of my craft bin and a candle I had tucked in the back of a closet can become something spectacular!

tip TWO | De-clutter and organize. | One of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to make your space look great is to simply de-clutter and organize. Get yourself some decorative storage containers, a rope basket, or some funky book-ends and get your space tidied up. It makes a huge difference!

tip THREE | Rearrange and reuse. | There’s so much you can do by just rearranging or reusing existing decor in your home. I will often change out lamp shades, photo frames, candles or vases from room to room.

tip FOUR | Mantles, mantles, mantles. | A super simple way to freshen up your decor is to change out the decor on your mantle from season to season. It doesn’t take much, and you could even utilize tip three to spruce it up. Don’t have a mantle? No worries! Just use this same principle with a focal point in your space – a credenza, a counter, a shelf – change it up and you’ll see such a transformation!

tip FIVE | Create or craft. | Now I know there are those of you who would rather stick a needle in your eye than craft, but it’s definitely worth giving it a go. You’d be surprised at what a little glue and paint will do! {If you’re going numb at the thought of creating or crafting something yourself, skip to the next tip!}

tip SIX | Shop the sales. | As most of you know one of my favorite places to shop is Hobby Lobby. What some of you may not realize is that stores like Hobby Lobby, Joann, etc., rotate their sales monthly so pretty much everything in the store will be at least 40% off at some point during the month. Wait for the sale and get the best deal!

tip SEVEN | Shop discount. | I’m a sucker for stores like Bargain Hunt, Tuesday Morning and the like who get most of their merchandise from overstock at other stores. These stores run on a dated discount system, so the longer it’s on the shelf the more of a discount you’ll get.

tip EIGHT | Create a vignette. | What’s a vignette you might ask? It’s simply a small space with a pleasing scene. This can be thematic or eclectic or anywhere in between. It’s a great way to fill in an awkward corner of the room or make your entryway more inviting.

tip NINE | Get inspired. | One word: Anthropologie. I can’t get enough if this store! But I also can’t get enough money for this store. ;) And so I do a lot of window shopping for inspiration on everything from how to stage a room to what my next DIY project will be. Find what inspires you and visit it often!

tip TEN | Use what you love. | The most important tip I can offer you is to only use what you love. I live by this rule in every area of my life – clothes shopping, cooking, decorating, and more. And, I absolutely love pillows! I change out pillow coverings regularly and have pillows all over my house. Using what you love will ensure that you and others will enjoy being in your home!

Of course there are so many other “rules of the road” when it comes to decorating your space, but hopefully these will get you started to make your home an inviting oasis of prettiness and peace!

Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. | John 14:23