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Home Decor Ideas to Make Your Living Space Feel Like Home

You don’t have to splurge on expensive home decor ideas to make your living space feel like home. Even temporary touches like a cozy reading nook or a bookshelf organized by color can be effective.

Give guests a clear idea of what the vibe should be through suggestive artwork like serene landscapes, calming word prints, or natural-toned paintings.

1. Add a Touch of Luxe

Adding touches of luxury to your home decor can give your new space a custom-designed feel. You don’t need to spend a lot on expensive statement pieces—instead, focus on the small details.

For example, a simple change like switching out your drawer pulls for brass ones can add a touch of elegance to your kitchen cabinets. This trend is not only on-trend, but it also complements other metal finishes like silver and pewter well.

Another easy way to introduce a hint of luxe is by bringing in furniture and accessories with an Art Deco design style. This popular style is defined by bold geometric shapes, artisanal craftsmanship and rich materials. Look for furniture with rounded shapes, a honeycomb-patterned decorative cabinet or even golden bookends to bring a little luxury to your living room.

Using a color scheme with antiquated floral patterns and soft tones can also add a sense of elegance. This is the type of aesthetic William Morris, a 19th century British designer, was known for. You can find similar motifs on bedding and other textiles from brands such as Morris & Co.

If your walls are bare, consider a framed piece of artwork. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, but a unique piece that reflects your personal taste can make your house feel more like home.

Other preexisting features that can help your home feel luxurious are crown molding, wood flooring and mosaic-tile backsplashes. These elements are not only beautiful but they also have a positive effect on your mood, according to Clorox. Keeping these features clean and in good condition is another great way to make your space feel like home.

2. Incorporate Suggestive Artwork

Adding art can really elevate your space and make it feel like home. It’s an easy and inexpensive way to give your apartment or condo personality and style, even if you can’t paint your walls. Consider adding a gallery wall or mixing and matching framed pieces in different styles, sizes and textures to create a look that feels collected over time. Remember to think about size when selecting artwork, as a small piece on a large wall can quickly look disproportionate and awkward.

Another great affordable decor idea is to add a pop of color with a backsplash or accent wall. You can DIY this project by purchasing a mosaic floor and wall tile backsplash, or opt for an acrylic-glass backsplash that comes with mesh backing for a quick and easy installation.

You can also brighten your home with new furniture and accessories, such as colorful garden stools that double as coffee tables or bedside tables. This is especially helpful if you’re a renter and your decorating options are limited. If painting your furniture isn’t an option, try to find coordinating fabrics or accessories in the same color family.

Don’t forget to add details that aren’t visible from the main room, such as molding around the baseboard, chair rail and ceiling, or wood beams in the living or dining rooms. Also consider using scented candles, diffusers and room sprays to create a specific mood in a room. Research shows that scents can affect emotions and perceptions of a space, so choose a fragrance that invokes a happy memory or relaxes you. For example, oranges can energize and greens have been shown to reduce stress.

3. Incorporate Touchable Fabrics

Adding weight and texture to a room is one of the best ways to make it feel luxurious. This could be as simple as adding a stand-out rug, or as extravagant as a stunning chandelier. Choose fabrics that are soft to the touch, and don’t be afraid to experiment with patterns. For example, beautiful boucle is both eye-catching and textural, and instantly telegraphs warmth and comfort. It’s also a great choice for accent pieces such as throw pillows and blankets.

When choosing patterns, be sure to select those that are uniquely “you.” It’s easy to get caught up in trends, but remember that you’ll have to live with your home’s decor for a long time. Rather than filling your space with what’s “in” right now, opt for compositions that encapsulate your personal style.

For a romantic vibe, add curves to your living space. This can be done by using furniture with curved lines or selecting artwork that incorporates feminine elements such as floral prints and landscapes. This is an excellent way to balance out masculine lines and create a more balanced atmosphere.

If you’re hesitant to commit to bolder wallpaper or fabric patterns, consider adding some molding instead. This is a simple and cost-effective way to upgrade the look of your living space. Adding molding to the baseboard, chair rail or ceiling is an excellent way to add luxury without committing to a full-scale remodeling project. Your professional home decorator from Decorating Den Interiors can show you a wide range of molding styles that can be used to complement any living space. They can even suggest complementary colors that will pair well with your chosen patterns.

4. Add a Spa-Inspired Touch

If your living space has a sterile look, incorporating plush, cozy details can give it a more inviting feel. This is especially important if you’re living in a new home with builder-grade finishes and decor that doesn’t quite evoke the feeling of your own personal oasis.

For example, if your bedroom’s dresser has a matching mirror, swap it out for one that features a bold design or a statement frame to give the room more visual intrigue. It’s an easy upgrade that makes a big impact.

The same is true for bathroom decor items. Displaying towels on open shelving elevates their look, as opposed to stacking them in a basket or hiding them behind a towel rack. Choose linen-like bath towels with a luxuriously soft texture that feels amazing against the skin and is highly absorbent. Display them in a white or other light-colored hue to instantly create a spa-inspired ambiance.

Other essential bathroom decor includes a jar or vase filled with eucalyptus sprigs to help clear your sinuses and calm the mind. You can also use a green plant that thrives in low light like a spider plant or Boston fern to bring an earthy, natural touch to the space.

Lastly, consider incorporating a piece of wall art into your bathroom. Just as framed artwork gives a bedroom or living room more personality, it can do the same in your bathroom. Just be sure to hang the work at eye level so you can admire it when you get ready in the morning or after a long day at work. Whether you opt for a large painting or a gallery wall of smaller prints, the art will instantly transform your bathroom.

5. Create a Sanctuary

Creating a sanctuary in your home doesn’t have to be an expensive endeavor. You can create a relaxing space that is uniquely yours by clearing the clutter, adding meaningful accents and incorporating soothing colors into your room. This can also be done by purchasing outdoor decor such as garden gnomes and lamps.

Whether you use a spare bedroom, bath, walk-in closet or screened-in porch, designing a relaxation spot in your home can make it feel like a retreat from the stresses of daily life. It also helps cultivate a habit of mindfulness and self care, says life coach Andrea Travillian. “If you make it a practice to take time out to relax in your own space, you will be less likely to fall into stress and anxiety habits, and your overall health will improve,” she adds.

The best way to create a relaxation space is to find an area of your home that receives plenty of natural light and is quiet, such as a spare bedroom or the corner of your living room. It’s also important to communicate with the members of your household about what they expect from this space. For example, if you want to focus on work in your home, designate an office space with a desk and chair to encourage productivity and keep distractions at bay.

You can also make your space feel like a haven by using scents that evoke happy memories or promote calmness. For example, you could spray lavender in your room before bed, or put out a pot of seasonal flowers on your table.

Our modern, fast-paced lifestyles can lead to an unhealthy amount of stress, which in turn can cause serious health issues. It’s important to incorporate the tips above into your home so it can become a true sanctuary that feels like you.