Simple Home Decor Styling Tricks to Elevate Your Home

Find simple and budget-friendly home decor styling tricks to easily make your home feel cozy, inviting, and high-end.

I think one of the things I love most about being a blogger is that a blog post can sometimes feels like my personal notebook or journal.

It’s a place where I can share (and record) my thoughts, ideas, and the little things that make our house feel like home.

Over the years, I’ve discovered so many home decor styling tips that I’ve learned through trial and error, picked up from magazines, favorite designers, or even from simple observations in my own home.

What I’ve come to realize is that making our home feel warm, inviting, beautiful, and even high-end doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.

Usually it’s the smallest, simplest changes that have the most impact like a plush throw pillow, a flickering candle, or freshly steamed curtains.

These are the details that bring a home to life.

So, I’m sharing some of my favorite, ridiculously easy styling tips and tricks that instantly elevate a home.

These are not big renovations or dramatic makeovers, but rather approachable updates that will make your home feel cozy and perfectly polished.

I hope these ideas inspire you to look at your home in a new way, whether you’re looking for quick ways to refresh a particular room or to simply make your everyday surroundings a little more special.

20+ Easy Home Decor Decorating Tips & Tricks to Elevate Your Home

With these simple styling tricks, you can easily elevate your space and make it feel more refined, inviting, and cozy.

Let’s dive into my favorite home decor hacks that add charm and character without much effort or money!

Upgrade Your Pillow Inserts

We’ll start this home decor styling tricks post with the first item in my design notebook, pillow inserts. 

If there’s one simple trick that can make your sofas, beds, and chairs look effortlessly stylish, it’s this…always size up the inserts in your throw pillows.

Instead of using inserts that are the same size as your pillow cover, choose an insert that is two inches larger. 

For example, if you have a 20″x20″ pillow cover, you’ll want to use a 22″x22″ insert. 

This small upgrade makes a big difference in giving your pillows a fuller, more luxurious look.

My other tip when it comes to pillow inserts is to swap out stiff polyester inserts for down or down-alternative ones.

They create that soft, plush feel which allows you to give your pillows the “karate chop” look, and they’ll also feel more comfortable when you’re resting your head.

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Cover Ugly Tissue Boxes

I don’t know about your home, but tissues are essential in our house.

Between allergies, colds, and just everyday use, there’s always a Kleenex box somewhere within reach.

However, I’ve never been able to find a tissue box that matches the aesthetic of our home.

Most store-bought tissue boxes come in bright colors and patterns that don’t always blend very well with our decor.

Instead of settling for designs that clash with our style, I’ve found the best solution…tissue box covers.

Tissue box covers are an easy way to elevate what I consider an everyday essential.

I personally love a neutral linen cover because it adds softness to a space, but they come in a variety of materials like rattan, wood, metal, and ceramic so you can choose one that complements your decor.

Let the Sun Shine In

Natural light is a free, no-cost way to make your home feel warm and inviting, so open those blinds!

Letting in sunlight brightens your space, lifts your mood, and makes everything feel fresh and airy.

Steam or Iron Wrinkled Fabrics

Have you ever noticed how a pressed tablecloth or wrinkle free curtains make a space feel more refined?

Fabrics that are wrinkled can make even the most beautifully styled room look messy, which is why one of my favorite styling tips is to take a few extra minutes to steam or iron textiles.

A quick pass with a steamer or iron can literally work wonders.

I personally love using a handheld steamer because it’s quick, easy, and doesn’t require setting up an ironing board.

It’s perfect for smoothing out wrinkles in hanging curtains or even giving throw blankets or pillows a polished look.

If you don’t have a steamer, a steam iron with a linen setting is another great way to remove wrinkles on just about anything.

Use Warm White Lightbulbs

Lighting plays a huge role in how a home feels, yet it’s often overlooked when decorating.

One of the easiest and most impactful changes you can make is swapping out your lightbulbs for warm white bulbs.

Cool white or daylight bulbs can create a harsh, sterile atmosphere.

Think of the bright fluorescent lighting in an office or hospital. While great for those environments, it’s not ideal for creating a cozy and inviting home.

By switching to soft, warm white bulbs, you instantly transform the ambiance of any room, making it feel cozier, more relaxed, and welcoming.

Change Lampshades for a Fresh Look

If you have lamps that feel outdated or don’t quite fit your aesthetic, think about switching the lampshades instead of replacing the whole lamp.

This simple swap can completely transform the look of a lamp while also giving the room a new feel.

The shape, texture, and material of a lamp shade all contribute to the overall style of a space.

A pleated or scalloped shade can add a vintage vibes, while a sleek drum shade creates a more modern, minimalist feel.

I love a woven or linen shade for its warmth and texture which is perfect for that cozy, layered look.

If you want to make more of a statement, a patterned shade (block print lampshades are trending right now) is a great way to do that.

Now, the key to a proportional lamp is making sure the shade is the right size.

A good rule of thumb is that the shade should be about two-thirds the height of the lamp base.

If a shade is too small, the lamp can feel top-heavy and unbalanced. If it’s too large, it can overpower the base.

Use Books for Height and Interest

Books aren’t just for reading, they make the perfect budget-friendly styling tool.

Stack a few on your coffee table, console, or nightstand to create height and visual interest.

You can top them with a candle, a small bowl filled with natural elements, or a decorative object to complete the look.

Elevate Everyday Essentials

Don’t overlook your everyday essentials.

The things you use everyday can double as decor too.

Think about this…instead of keeping your dish soap in its original plastic bottle, what if you transferred it into a glass or ceramic dispenser? 

In an instant, your kitchen will feel more elevated and intentional.

Remember, small details make a big impact.

A pretty vintage dish for your sponges, linen hand towels instead of paper, or a refillable glass spray bottle for cleaning supplies can make everyday routines feel more special.

Light a Candle for Instant Coziness

There’s something so cozy and magical about the warm glow of a candle.

Lighting a candle instantly creates coziness, whether it’s in the kitchen while making dinner, in the bathroom for a spa-like feel, or on the coffee table for a relaxing evening.

Remember, candles are not just for when you have guests over or for special occasions!

Choose scented candles that complement the current season.

For instance, think fresh citrus in the spring, warm vanilla in the fall, and pine or cinnamon for the holiday season.

Burn a Candle Down Before Adding it to Your Decor

I notice this easy hack is overlooked so many times by bloggers and content creators on social media. And I’m not sure why!

Instead of displaying a taper or pillar candle straight out of the package, take the time to burn it down slightly before styling it in your space.

A candle that has been lit, even just once, instantly feels more inviting and lived-in.

It removes that untouched, store-bought look.

Don’t take my word for it, try it, you’ll see!

For taper candles in candlesticks, let them burn just long enough to create a soft wax drip or slightly blacken the wick.

If you’re styling a pillar candle on a tray or inside a hurricane lantern, allow it to melt just enough to form a slight indentation on the top.

If you’re someone who doesn’t like the flame of real candles like Mr. ERH, you can use high-quality flameless candles with a flickering wick for a similar effect.

Add a Pinch of Red

I know, red might not be the first color you think of when decorating, especially those of us who love a simple cottage style.

But hear me out.

Adding a small, unexpected pop of red can bring warmth, energy, and a little sophistication to your home.

Even in a neutral or muted color palette, red acts as a bold accent that draws the eye without overwhelming the room.

So what’s the key when it comes to decorating with red?

Restraint.

Just a pinch of red can be enough to make a statement while keeping your space feeling balanced. It’s such an easy way to add character and a bit of unexpected charm to your home!

Hang the Right Sized Artwork

Choosing the right size artwork (and hanging it correctly) can make all the difference in how a space feels. 

Artwork that is too small can look awkward and disconnected, while oversized pieces can overwhelm a smaller room. 

You want to find the right balance so that your art complements, rather than competes with your space.

When hanging art above furniture like a living room couch, bed, or console table, the piece should be about two-thirds the width of the furniture to feel proportional.

If have a smaller piece of artwork, you can group multiple pieces together to create a gallery wall or using a larger frame with a wide mat to give it a more substantial presence.

Height matters too.

Art should be hung so the center of the piece is at eye level, typically 57-60″ from the floor.

If hanging above furniture, leave 5-10″ of space between the art and the top of the furniture to keep everything feeling connected.

Display a Cloche of Muffins or Cupcakes on Your Kitchen Counter

In my opinion, nothing makes a kitchen feel more welcoming than a display of baked goods under a glass cloche.

It could be homemade muffins, store-bought pastries, or even a simple stack of cookies; this little detail adds charm to the heart of the home.

Plus, it will encourage you to take a moment to enjoy a sweet treat with a cup of coffee or tea.

Add Water to Faux Flowers in Glass Vases

If you have faux flowers or greenery displayed in a glass vase, add water to create the illusion that they’re fresh.

This easy hack instantly makes artificial flowers look more realistic.

For a more natural look to your arrangement, trim the stems at varying heights and arrange them loosely, allowing some to lean gently against the vase.

This mimics the organic, imperfect way fresh flowers sit in water.

Turn Your Television into Art

A television is a staple in most living rooms, but when it’s turned off, it can feel like a big, ugly, black hole in your decor.

Instead of letting your TV dominate the space, turn it into a piece of art when it’s not in use.

And here’s the thing…you don’t need an expensive Samsung Frame TV for this decorating trick!

If you have a smart television like us, you can achieve the same effect by using streaming services, like YouTube that allows you to display digital vintage art, landscape photography, or even a cozy fireplace scene.

Within the YouTube app search for “tv vintage art” or “tv art display”, find an image you like, then display on your television.

It’s that easy!

Think Outside the Box

I love thinking outside the box because it allows me to be creative, repurpose items we already own, and it gives our home a unique, curated feel.

Just because something is labeled as one thing, doesn’t mean it can’t be used for another.

For example, instead of using a traditional vase for flowers, try a vintage pitcher, a ceramic crock, or an old glass bottle. 

A pretty teacup can become a charming jewelry dish or scoop for your baking supplies, while a trashcan can double as a planter.

Do you have a beautiful cutting board? Lean it against your backsplash for a warm, layered look in the kitchen.

Furniture can also be used in unexpected ways. 

A bench can serve as a coffee table, a vintage trunk can become a side table, and a wooden stool can work as a plant stand or nightstand. 

When you use your imagination, your decorating options become limitless.

Other Home Decor Styling Tricks to Think About

• Layer Rugs: Add depth and warmth by layering a smaller rug over a larger one.
• Use Trays for Organization: Corral small decorative items on a tray for a cohesive look.
• Add a Cozy Throw Blanket: Drape a throw over a sofa, armchair, or bed for a little more coziness.
• Use Baskets for Storage: Woven rattan baskets are great for keeping clutter at bay while also adding texture.
• Swap Out Decorative Towels: Change kitchen or bathroom towels seasonally for an easy refresh.
• Display Fresh Fruit or Bread: A simple bowl of lemons or a loaf of bread on a wooden board will add more warmth to your home that you realize.
• Play Music: Set the mood with soft background music to create a warm and relaxing atmosphere.

My Final Thoughts

The best part about these styling hacks is that they require little effort but make a big impact.

With small, thoughtful changes, you can create a home that feels polished, cozy, and inviting while hardly spending a dime.

I hope you’ll try a few of these tricks in your own space and see how they transform the feel of your home.

Do you have any simple home styling tricks that you swear by?

I’d love to hear them in the comments!

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I look forward to sharing more of my home with you and inspiring you to enjoy simple cozy living! 

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xoxo, heidi

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