3 Ways to Warm Up Your Space With Interior Design

3 Ways to Warm Up Your Space With Interior Design

christmas tree in living room

‘Tis the season, and no matter what climate you live in, you’re probably ready to bring some coziness into your home for the holidays. A fireplace isn’t the only way to warm up a room. Here are three tips for making your space feel warmer and creating a cozy haven with interior design:

LET’S TALK TEXTURES

Texture can make all the difference when you’re trying to make a space feel warm and cozy. If you prefer a sleeker design but want to bring some warmth into your space, a few well-placed textural elements can give you that cozy feeling you’re craving.

  • Play with the soft furnishings in your space, whether that’s adding plush throw blankets, faux fur rugs, or knitted throw pillows.
  • Warm up your furniture selections with natural elements, like wooden furniture, rattan accents, or a jute rug.
  • Incorporate texture into your decor with plants and flowers. A bit of greenery – even faux – is an easy way to make a space feel homier.

    christmas holiday decor

    TIME FOR A COZIER COLOR PALETTE

    It’s well-known that colors can influence our moods – and they can influence the mood of a space, too. To warm up your space, work with rich, earthy tones and warm neutrals. Don’t worry! You don’t have to paint your walls burnt orange to capture that warmth. You can incorporate a warm color palette in lots of ways:

    • Choose gold or bronze finishes – much warmer than their silver counterparts – for lighting and plumbing fixtures, curtain rods, and other metal elements.
    • Incorporate richly colored upholstery and drapery to make a room feel more intimate and cozy.
    • Think about your artwork. Even if your walls are light and neutral, artwork can add pops of deep, rich color to warm up a space.

    LOTS AND LOTS OF LIGHTING

    If you only have one overhead light in your living room, you might consider shaking things up. A layered lighting approach with a combination of light sources can help make a space feel cozier. Don’t be afraid to play with both the amount of lighting and the type of lighting.

    • Supplement your overhead fixture with table lamps, floor lamps, wall sconces, and even candles.
    • Switch out those jarring LED bulbs for softer, warmer-toned 2700-3000 Kelvin bulbs that help create that cozy ambiance. We recommend the GE’s line of Relax LED bulbs.
    • Add dimmer switches to control the intensity of the light for quiet evenings when you want to be at your warmest and coziest.

    These are just three ways to warm up your space with interior design. There are other ways to add coziness, like incorporating comfortable seating and adding sentimental accents to your decor.

    A cozy room is about more than aesthetics; it’s about how you feel spending time in your space. At the end of the day, anything that helps your house feel more like home is an excellent way to add warmth.

    Our Top Fall Decor Picks for Every Budget

    Our Top Fall Decor Picks for Every Budget

    christmas tree in living room

    The weather is cooling, the leaves are changing, and you’re thinking about changing up your home decor. It’s not the holiday season yet, but fall can be just as festive! Here are some of our favorite decor finds from Target, Amazon, Anthropologie, and more for the perfect autumn vibes this season.

    Under $30

    If you’re watching your budget this fall, don’t fret! There are plenty of gorgeous decor options available from Amazon and Target for less than $30 – and there are always sales to take advantage of. Here are our favorite affordable fall decor finds:

    christmas holiday decor

    Under $50

    Have a little more wiggle room in your budget, but still don’t want to break the bank? Take a look at our favorite fall decor finds under $50:

    $50 and Up

    Interested in splurging a bit? We understand – some statement pieces are worth the price tag! Here are our favorite fall decor finds over $50, for when you’re ready to invest in a piece that will last you for years to come:

    Whatever your budget, there are plenty of options available for beautiful fall decor. These are just a few of our favorites. What are your favorite fall finds to elevate your seasonal decor?

    5 Tips for Spring Cleaning with Interior Design in Mind

    5 Tips for Spring Cleaning with Interior Design in Mind

    christmas tree in living room

    We’re all familiar with spring cleaning. Spring is the perfect time of year to open your windows, air out your home, and spend time on some much-needed deep cleaning and decluttering. While you’re refreshing your home, why not refresh your interior design, too?

    Here are five simple tips to help you keep interior design in mind while spring cleaning this year:

    1. Finish unfinished projects.

    Spring cleaning is a great time to put the finishing touches on all those home improvement projects you started – and possibly abandoned – during the winter months. Maybe you were painting your bedroom, refinishing your floors, or changing out the hardware on your kitchen cabinets. Spring cleaning is the perfect opportunity to tie up these loose ends and finish the little projects that can make a BIG difference to your home’s appearance.

    2. Swap out linens, pillows, and curtains.

    When you’re tackling spring cleaning, you’ll probably take the opportunity to wash the soft finishes in your home that might just get spot cleaned the rest of the year. If you’re already taking down your living room curtains to clean them, why not swap them out for something different? Rotating your curtains, bed linens, and throw pillows is an easy way to keep your home looking fresh and new. It’s also a good strategy to help you remember to deep clean things like curtains, that might otherwise get overlooked!

    3. Consider closed storage while organizing.

    We all have clutter; that’s just a fact of life. A certain amount of well-staged open shelving can look chic, but leaving everything you own out on display can make a home feel too busy. While you’re decluttering and organizing this spring, consider adding some closed storage solutions to your home. TV stands with drawers and cabinets and built-ins with doors are perfect for hiding away some of the every day clutter, helping your home feel cleaner and more streamlined.

    4. Give investment pieces special attention.

    Do you have a beautiful, expensive rug in your living room, or an antique kitchen table that’s been in your family for generations? Spring cleaning is the perfect time to invest in maintaining these pieces. Rent a carpet cleaner (or hire a professional) to deep clean your rug and take the time to refinish that gorgeous table. You can also hire professionals to deep clean your couch! Maintaining these key items will keep them looking beautiful so they can elevate your home’s design for years to come.

    5. Update your lighting.

    Spring cleaning means dusting all the light fixtures – and maybe noticing that some of them have seen better days. Lighting is vital to a well-designed home. If your light fixtures are outdated, consider upgrading them this spring. If you don’t want to replace the fixtures themselves, something as simple as swapping out light bulbs can make a big difference!

    Spring cleaning is all about making your home look its best – from dusting the baseboards to scrubbing the floors. Interior design is also about making your home look its best, so why shouldn’t the two go hand-in-hand? Use these tips to help your home sparkle this spring, and tell us in the comments what your favorite spring cleaning projects are!

     And if you’re looking for some foolproof spring cleaning products, download our Renovation Prep Guide for our recommendations!

     

     

    quartz countertops
    christmas holiday decor

    Updating your lighting, embracing closed storage, and regularly maintaining the investment pieces in your home can go a long way toward elevating your interior design. 

    quartzite countertops
    5 Ways to Style a Large Wall Space

    5 Ways to Style a Large Wall Space

    christmas tree in living room

    We’ve all been there – staring at a large, blank expanse of wall in our home, needing to fill the empty space but not knowing how. Gallery walls are always a good choice, when executed well, but they’re not your only choice! Here are just a few ideas to help you fill that empty wall, elevate your decor, and make your space feel complete.

    Add a large gallery wall

    This one is tried and true. There are many ways to do gallery walls, and you don’t have to use just photographs or pieces of artwork. When creating a gallery wall, try mixing various sizes and shapes of framed artwork and photographs, as well as incorporating different objects such as mirrors, sconces, ceramic wall art, or embroidery hoops to add a unique touch.

    Add wainscoting

    A great way to fill space on a wall is by adding wainscoting. Traditionally, wainscoting is used to protect walls from being scuffed or damaged by furniture, but wainscoting also has aesthetic benefits. Aesthetic wainscoting can be accented with artwork and wall sconces for an elegant solution to large blank walls.

    Create framed wallpaper panels

    If you don’t want to commit to wallpapering an entire wall but you’ve found a pattern you love, turn that wallpaper into custom art! Frame sections of wallpaper to resemble large art prints and use them to fill that empty space. Not only will they look beautiful, but they’ll be more cost-effective than purchasing large pieces of artwork.

    Hang a large mirror

    We often think of mirrors as just a functional piece, but they also have a lot of aesthetic value. An oversized mirror is a great way to fill a large expanse of empty wall space, with the added bonus of reflecting light and making your room look bigger. You can also use a large mirror as the focal point of a more extensive gallery wall.

    Make a DIY letterboard

    A DIY letterboard is just one example of a way to fill a large wall space that lets you flex your creative muscles. You can purchase kits to help you install these letterboards, or create your own with some creativity, time, and materials from the hardware store. Chalkboard walls, hand-painted murals, and other DIY projects can also be creative ways of filling the space.

    No matter how you choose to style the large wall spaces in your home, the most important thing is to make them your own. With a bit of creativity and time, you can turn a large blank wall into a gorgeous focal point in your home.

    christmas holiday decor
    christmas holiday decor
    christmas holiday decor
    How to Create a Perfect Holiday Tablescape

    How to Create a Perfect Holiday Tablescape

    christmas tree in living room

    If you’re hosting a meal for the holidays, don’t neglect your tablescape when planning your seasonal decor. The food will be the true star of the show, but an elegant table will elevate the atmosphere and add that extra touch of design and sophistication to any holiday gathering. But where should you start when you’re planning a holiday tablescape? Here are a few of the key components to keep in mind to help you build your tablescape step by step:

    Rockin’ Around the Centerpiece

    While your centerpiece is the literal center of your table, it’s also central to the design of your tablescape. Starting with your centerpiece and building your table around it is an excellent strategy for creating a cohesive look. Seasonal greenery, candles, and small decor pieces are popular for holiday centerpieces. Once your centerpiece is assembled, you can pull colors and textures from it to incorporate throughout your tablescape. For instance, if you have red berries in your centerpiece greenery, try coordinating with red napkins. Crystal votive candles might inspire crystal chargers, or organic textures might carry through to textured place mats.

    Change It up With Chargers

    If you don’t want to cover your table with a tablecloth, or if place mats just aren’t your style, chargers are an excellent choice for both practical and decorative purposes. Chargers can help protect your table from spills, heat, and condensation – and look good while doing it. If you keep your dishware simple, you can opt for a more decorative charger, or a simple charger can lend itself to more elaborate plates.

    A Note on Napkins

    Whether you’re using cloth napkins or disposable ones, there’s no need to settle for something plain. There are plenty of ways to embellish your napkins – without learning any complicated napkin folds. (Of course, if you love napkin folds, go for it!) Add a finishing touch to your napkins with a simple detail, like a napkin ring, a decorative pick, or a place card. Remember – it’s the little details that pull everything together.

    Everyday essentials

    Once your centerpiece and the decorative elements are in place, it’s time to address the basics. Silverware, glasses, plates – everything you need to actually enjoy a meal. It’s best to keep these pieces simple. The days of having special plates and utensils that only get used during the holidays are over. Invest in solid, high-quality dishes that will last you for years to come. Choosing neutral pieces will ensure your essentials will mix and match with every theme you choose, year after year. But neutral doesn’t have to mean boring! Look for plates with designs and patterns for visual interest, but choose neutral colors that can fit into any tablescape, like grays and off-whites.

    A well-crafted tablescape is essential to any holiday meal. Not only will a beautiful table make your home-cooked meal look even more appetizing – it will make your guests feel welcome and set the tone for an elegant, enjoyable, and memorable evening.

    What’s your number one holiday tablescape essential?

     

     

    christmas holiday decor
    christmas holiday decor
    christmas holiday decor
    Our Top Holiday Decor Picks from Target

    Our Top Holiday Decor Picks from Target

    christmas tree in living room

    When it comes to interior design, there are certain things you should splurge on – and certain things that really shouldn’t break the bank. You only decorate for the holiday season once a year, and with decorating trends constantly changing, there’s no reason to drop all your cash when there are plenty of affordable – and gorgeous! – festive pieces available. If you’re looking to deck the halls on a dime, take a peek at some of our favorite holiday decor finds from Target this season.

    Season’s Greetings

    The first thing your guests will see when they arrive for a holiday get-together is your front door. We love elegant but festive greenery to make a great first impression. These picks from Target are a bit more understated than the chunkier wreaths of Christmas past.

    Deck the Halls (and Shelves and Tables)

    A key component to any kind of decorating is paying attention to the details, and holiday decor is no different. Adding a few festive touches to your tables, bookshelves, countertops, or mantle is easy with these whimsical seasonal accessories from Target.

    • This copper mailbox to store your letters to Santa from Hearth & Hand with Magnolia
    • This plush knitted tree from the Target Wondershop, perfect for sweater weather vibes
    • This glittery winter scene in a glass cloche from the Target Wondershop
    • This jute woven deer from Threshold, perfect for a touch of organic design
    christmas holiday decor

    Wreaths aren’t just for the front door! Try incorporating this holiday decor staple into other areas of your home.

    christmas holiday decor

    Festive Fun

    While you’re busy perfecting your home’s holiday aesthetic, don’t forget your children’s rooms! Bring a touch of holiday magic to the kids’ spaces in your home with these fun Target finds.

    • This adorable Santa nutcracker from the Target Wondershop
    • This timeless truck figurine from the Target Wondershop, perfect for any kid’s bookshelf
    • This winter throw pillow from Threshold for a touch of the holidays at bedtime

    With all the inexpensive seasonal decor available this time of year, it’s a breeze to prep your home for the holidays on a budget. There are countless decorative finds available at Target; these are just a few of our favorites! What are your favorite festive finds at Target this holiday season?