How To Accessorize Your Living Room Like A Pro – 6 effective tips to get you started

Do you have a difficult time trying to find the right decor pieces to not only match but also bring a sense of purpose to your space?  We are on week 5 of the One Room Challenge and I have cried more wet sobby tears than I would like to admit because I am just like you.  I love shopping for home accessorize but then always second guess myself when I get home.  Today, I am going to share some tips and tricks I have learned over this challenge to hopefully make you an effective decorating pro!  (If you are just tuning in you can also head back to week 1 and start from the beginning.)

Accessories are what give a living room heart and help recognize a home from a beauty magazine photo.  When accessories are done right, they tell the story of the ours lives, passions, travels and maybe even our heartbreak.  But accessorizing a house can be a intimidating thing. We’re often unsure what to include, what to leave out and how to arrange the things that remain.  Once you understand the fundamentals, you will be accessorizing like a pro.

The bottom line:  If you have fun decorating with your accessories, your family and friends will get gratification from them, too. 

6 effective tips to make you a decorating pro

1. Blankets, Throws and Pillows

One way to create a cozy feel to a living is with a snuggly blanket and plush pillows.  A throw blanket and pillow here and there adds texture, color, and yes, warmth. Having a blanket nearby instantly makes your guests feel more at home. And who doesn’t love having a blanket and pillow on hand to curl up with when it gets a little chilly?  This is also a great way to add pops of color to your living room.

2. Add Books

There’s something comforting about books. The smell of a vintage book or the touch of a new book when you first open brings a overwhelming flood of soothing emotions.  If you are fortunate to have bookshelves, you can arrange new or used books, small collections and accent pieces for a great way to fill the vertical space.  Otherwise, you can display books on a credenza, coffee or end table to add texture, color, and dimension.  

3. Decorate with Plants and Flowers

Floral arrangements are always a great way to add warmth and life to a living room, and like houseplants, you’ll need to make sure they get plenty of sunlight, water and love.  Flower arrangements bring richer, more lively colors to a neutral living room.  The great thing about plants is that they add life and color to a room without adding clutter.

4. Add Personal Artwork and Prints

Don’t be afraid to add art to your design, or even to let it take over!  A single piece of artwork or a grouping of prints can become the focal piece of a warm, inviting living room.  Whether you choose an animal, abstract or something unique, it can create a conversation.  You can purchase downloadable prints on Etsy and have them printed inexpensively for a low-cost option.

5. Personalize with Your Favorite Vases, Jars and Knick-Knacks

Pick your favorite pieces from your collection and arrange them on your shelves or tables to add your personality and warmth to the living room.  Vases and jars can be decorative as well as functional, and they are some of the simplest, most versatile ways to brighten a room. Filled or unfilled, vases and jars come in a wide variety of shapes, colors, textures and designs and make easy accent pieces in any living room.

6. Strategically Place Mirrors

In a living room with small ceilings, adding a tall or chunky mirror on the floor can help take up empty corners, spaces, or fill vertical space.  Mirrors reflect light and enhances the color and beauty of the elements within your room.  A mirror collage on a wall opposite a window or below a light source also adds a focal point to your room as it brightens.

I hope these 6 effective tips to help accessorize your living room like a pro are helpful and motivate you to get started.  Remember to have fun decorating and enjoy the accessories you choose for your room.

Make sure to come back next week for the BIG, FINAL REVEAL of my Modern Traditional Living Room!