50 best quick decorating tips to keep you sane during quarantine
It took just one week of quarantine time to redecorate my place and it feels brand new again. The coronavirus has taken a lot away from us all but there are things we can do that will keep us busy, while also benefiting us after the quarantine is over. Whether it's your first time or if you're a seasoned vet, here are the 50 best decorating tips to help you stay sane in the coming weeks, months, or however long this goes on for:
Photo: Alyssa Rosenheck, Design: Chelsea Robinson Interiors.
1. Mount curtains high above your windows The closer to the ceiling, the grander the room will feel.
2. Hang art pieces right at eye level Maybe a little lower if you're in the NBA.
3. Station pretty baskets around the house Just don't fill them with garbage.
Photo: Dustin Halleck Photography; Courtesy Inspired Interiors.
4. Style decorative objects in odd numbered groupings. Groups of 3 are key!
5. Layer your light sources Task, ambient and accent lighting.
6. Always always make your bed Nothing says “I don’t care about my home” quite like a duvet cover crumpled on the floor.
Photo: Joyelle West for Homepolish; Design: Helen Bergin.
7. Use rugs to separate zones It can help create a "dining room".
8. Think of produce as decor Fruits and veggies in a bowl make an ideal centerpiece in a pinch.
9. Decant your dish and hand soap That Softsoap label does NOT match the decor.
Photo: Alyssa Rosenheck; Design: Jason Arnold Interiors.
10. Clean your windows regularly It makes a world of difference.
11. Cut your countertop decor by 90% It's the one trick to an aesthetically pleasing kitchen. 12. Make big statements in tiny rooms Powder/laundry rooms + brazen wallpapers are always a good idea.
Photo: Lesley Unrush; Courtesy: Tharon Anderson
13. Pendants should hover roughly 3 feet above surfaces That goes for islands, bars and dining tables.
14. Use real bowls for your dog bowls Metal bowls don't add much.
15. Never place your bed in direct alignment with your door Big feng shui faux pas (it blasts you with "energy").
Photo: Daniel Wang for Homepolish; Design: Kevin Clark.
16. Fresh flowers, always And fresh water too (no swamp water, unless you're Shrek).
17. Add real rugs to utilitarian rooms Like the kitchen and bathroom—for tons for warmth and character.
18. Test-drive paint samples before committing You never know what that navy really looks like until you see it in the light at every time of day
Photo: Sean Dagen; Courtesy: Cecy J Interiors.
19. Mix mediums in a gallery wall Matchy-matchy is a big no-no.
20. Use cord covers to tidy your wires We swear by these guys for our TV's and sound systems.
21. Always buy extra photo frames So you can add more down the road.
Photo: Julia Robbs for Homepolish; Design: Jae Joo.
22. Colorblock your bookshelves Perfectionist and proud.
23. Karate chop your pillows Easy luxe vibes (and stress relief, trust).
24. Place furniture 2 inches from your walls That’s right: "Float" your furnishings to make the room feel breezier.
Photo: Sean Dagen; Courtesy: Cecy J Interiors.
25. When in doubt, undecorate Less is so much more when it comes to nicknacks.
26. Switch up coffee table decor often It’s the easiest way to make the living room feel fresh again.
27. Never splurge on trends Treat yourself to inexpensive decor pieces to stay fresh and modern.
28. Only buy what you love Even if that means deliberating over a bed frame for two years.
Photo: Claire Esparros; Design Tali Roth.
29. Fill forlorn corners with plants They can literally improve your mood.
30. No TV in the bedroom And if you must, hide it.
31. Remember that everything looks better in a tray Booze supplies, perfume bottles, you name it.
32. Use the 2:2:1 throw pillow rule Symmetry makes for the ultimate couch hack.
Courtesy: Amber Interiors.
33. Consider furniture that does double duty Like garden stools that double as side tables or ottomans that double as coffee tables.
34. Lean your art Super chic... and no holes to patch up later.
35. Use table skirting to disguise clutter Or transform your furnishings on the super cheap.
36. Use outdoor fabrics indoors They stand up better to kids and pets.
Photo: Claire Esparros for Homepolish; Design: Justin Dipetro.
37. Use your coffee table clearance Psst: There’s room underneath for extra seating.
38. Add a 'hero' piece to your living room A huge painting, sculpture or mirror lends major design cred.
39. When in doubt, paint it white Walls, dressers, scuffed baseboards.
Photo: Alyssa Rosenheck; Design: Amanda Barnes.
40. Hang mirrors across from windows They bounce the light around make rooms feel so much brighter.
41. A rug should never 'float' in a room Always have furniture legs placed on top to ground it.
42. Add moldings to fake ceiling height ... and make your house look fancier.
Photo: Tessa Neustadt; Design: Talia Laconi.
43. Leave an element (or two) undone Always leave something mussed to make a space look warm and lived in.
44. Place a rug between a wood table and a wood floor To serve as a buffer.
45. Make sure your bed has two entry points The key to an elegant bedroom—and happy marriage.
46. Add one black object to every room Every space looks better with a little contrast.
Photo: Alyssa Rosenheck; Design: Amanda Barnes Interiors.
47. Use matte finish paint to brighten a room It allows for the most even light dispersion.
48. Add at least one antique to every room New looks best when mixed with old.
49. Invest in professionally framing your art Note: The mat should always be 1.5 times as wide as your frame.
50. If something doesn’t 'bring you joy,' toss it Thanks for that one, Marie Kondo.