Furniture and color play a huge role in the design of your home, but the small details in any room are equally important in completing a space and showcasing your personality. What gives a room a “put together,” thoughtful feel isn’t a big statement; It's the lamps, the art, the curtains, the foresight to put a ceiling light on a dimmer, or the floor-to-ceiling bookshelf full of well-loved family favorites.
What details in your home might be worth a second look? Experienced designers examine the small details in your home that you may overlook.
pontoon interiors; Crystal Harvey with Bos Images
wallpaper
When asked about small solutions that make a big impact, Kylie Ponton of Ponton Interiors in Tampa, Florida, immediately answered “wallpaper.” “It can be peel and stick or hung traditionally, depending on your budget and the style you find. We use wallpaper in every single project we undertake for clients. We typically recommend them for multiple rooms because they have such a big impact and add tons of visual interest with texture, pattern and color.”
Wallpaper has become so accessible in recent years. Hundreds of custom wallpaper shops have sprung up on Etsy, and the availability of self-adhesive wallpaper options at retail has become nearly ubiquitous to meet increased demand. What was once only an option for people with higher budgets is now something that can be incredibly budget-friendly and affordable “Add massive impact to a room,” says Kylie.
lighting
Lighting in a room is crucial. It conveys a feeling of warmth and invites you to relax. But it's also easy to go wrong with the lighting. Relying on harsh overhead lighting can make a room feel clinical and cold, while too little light can make the room appear dim and sleepy.
“We noticed a really big trend at High Point Market in North Carolina,” says Kylie. “Many lighting manufacturers have placed a lot of emphasis on portable lamps.” This lamp trick allows you to achieve the perfect balance of light in your room using rechargeable USB lamps. “It's brilliant because we often have a room where a lamp adds a nice touch: an accent, a splash of color. But if the space is in an older home that isn't designed for outlets, it can be difficult to properly place them,” she says. Rechargeable lights are a genius little thing that allows you to add just the right amount of light anywhere.
Books
The bookworms among us will be happy to know that books are one of the best ways to add warmth and personality to a room. Stacking just the right stack of large books on a coffee table is an easy way to add a sense of style and showcase your interests. Do you love fashion? Travel? Do you have a niche interest such as a specific historical event or collectible? Browsing the flea markets, estate sales, and thrift stores in your area can reveal real gems in the illustrated book section.
But beyond the coffee table, holding on to books you've read can also provide some beautiful design options (think Belle's Library in Beauty and the Beast). Go maximalist if you have a lot to do and use built-ins to layer books, plants and sentimental items, or minimalist if your home is quieter and more modern. “Accessories add real depth and interest to your home,” says designer Susan Chancey of Asheville, North Carolina. Decorate your shelves with a few books and a nice bowl filled with something unique to add visual interest.
Window decorations
Window decorations such as carpets can add that special something to a room. Individual details such as patterns and decorations ensure an elegant look. But that doesn't mean you have to break the bank.
“If you have a simple panel curtain or window treatment, even something that's finished, you can use fabric trim, a braided detail, or a pom-pom—something with a small pattern—to create a custom look,” says Kylie. Using this trick on the front edge of your curtains or curtains can give your curtains or curtains a unique touch and distinguish them from the same store-bought panels in other homes.”
Plant
The pinnacle of trends in recent years may be the introduction of dozens of houseplants. There's no doubt about the health benefits that houseplants can provide, but from a style perspective, they're hard to beat.
“Real living plants,” says Susan, “bring oxygen to your world and add a touch of color. Even going into your garden and arranging a few branches in a giant vase creates an eye-catching, cool moment.” If you're a beginner in the world of green thumb, try a snake plant, a spider plant, or a peace lily . Extra points if you invest in a cool foliar watering spray bottle of the Vintage, Gold, Funky variety.