how to decorate your home office on a budget

How to Decorate Your Home Office on a Budget.

When decorating your home office on a budget, try to be as creative and resourceful as possible. Make your own shelving to inexpensively create storage and workspace areas. Look around your home and repurpose furniture you already own. Customize those pieces to maximize their use-value and aesthetics. If you do need to buy new pieces, look for gently used items at consignment shops, estate or yard sales, and surplus stores. Maximize your efficiency and make your office a pleasing place to work with inexpensive accessories and organizational habits.

Method 1 Choosing Affordable Office Furniture.

1. Repurpose furniture from other areas in your home. Office furniture typically makes up the bulk of the decor budget. Do your best to reuse pieces from other areas in your home in order to increase savings. Look for customizable items that can offer both design solutions and a personal touch.

For example, you can use a sturdy coffee table to provide a seating area that doubles as storage space. Find inexpensive cushions or even a pet bed large enough to cover the tabletop in the clearance section of a home decor store. Place woven baskets or other storage bins you might have on hand under the coffee table to store files, books, or other necessities.

If you have an extra dresser on hand, put it in the office to store supplies and paperwork. Consider downsizing your wardrobe to free up a storage piece in your bedroom.

Or, repurpose a kitchen or dining table as a desk. This will give you plenty of space to arrange your equipment (computer, printer, etc.) and work materials.

2. Use shelving to solve storage, workspace, and cost limitations. Create your own shelving with affordable wood panels and brackets from the hardware store if you have basic woodworking skills. Alternatively, you can look for deals at department stores or online. Inexpensive shelving can not only offer storage solutions, it can also provide you with desk space, which can be among the costliest office furniture pieces.

Run shelving horizontally along an entire wall for multiple workstations. Use the area underneath for storage containers, a trash bin, and office equipment like a printer or shredder.

To create bookcases, stack shelves horizontally on top of one another 12 inches (30 cm) apart. Add file folders, baskets, and other storage containers along with your books.

3. Purchase gently used furniture to cut your budget. If you do need to purchase a desk, file storage, or other office furniture look around for good second-hand pieces. Search online for estate sales in your area, and look for local organizations that host estate sales. Check websites for options to sign up for email lists so you won’t have to drive around your city looking for sales.

Look around consignment shops, thrift stores, and furniture surplus stores in your area for deals on items that fit your taste and needs.

Make sure you have your space’s measurements on hand, and bring a tape measure with you to be sure you purchase items that fit your office.

Get creative with your use of second-hand items. For instance, use a buffet table to house your printer or turn a large basket into a decorative trash can.

4. Remember that an ergonomic chair is important. If there’s one office furniture item to spend a bit of money on, it’s the chair. Sitting for long periods of time is tough on your back, legs, and overall health, so look for an ergonomic office chair that fits your budget.

You may be able to great a great deal on an ergonomic chair from a company that’s going out of business, such as an office building or doctor’s office.

Look for a form-fitting chair that offers both sturdiness and flexibility. Go for height adjustable options that offer lumbar, neck, and head support.

A new ergonomic chair can cost thousands of dollars, but with some patience, you can find a secondhand option for a fraction of that price.

Using a kitchen chair or other uncomfortable option might be a decent solution while you look for a good budget-friendly piece, but it’ll compromise your productivity and health in the long run.

5. Mix up pieces instead of purchasing a matching set. Purchasing a matching office furniture suite might offer a quick decor fix, but will drastically increase your cost. Be patient as you furnish your office using a mix of repurposed and secondhand items. It might take a matter of months, but you’ll end up saving hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.

In addition to drastically reducing your budget, avoiding a matching suite will also give your workspace a more personal feel.

Method 2 Accessorizing Your Home Office.

1. Avoid splurging on accessories. There’s really no need to spend much money on office accessories, if any at all. Look around your house for items like framed photographs, houseplants, and knickknacks to add some personality to your workspace without spending money.

This is another opportunity to repurpose items. For example, use a pretty rock as a paperweight and cut a few flowers from your garden to put in a vase on your desk.

Given a little time, you’ll probably accumulate more accessories than you need. You might receive a gift like a stress ball or Zen garden to place in your office on your next birthday or holiday. If you have kids, they might make you something in school you can put on your desk.

2. Create your own large-scale wall designs. Instead of spending hundreds on office art, you can paint your office’s walls a bright color, and create a focal wall using painter’s tape to make stripes or by putting up wall decals. Consider designating a large wall area as a blackboard brainstorming area, using inexpensive chalkboard paint to create it.

Affordable wall decor options also include your diploma or certificates. You can also print out and frame inspirational quotes or sayings.

Check out second-hand stores for inexpensive framed art or prints that match your taste.

Choose patterns and colors that both motivate and relax you. Avoid using too many dark colors, which can lead to decreased productivity.

3. Prioritize function when choosing lighting accessories. Ensure you have enough light to see well so you don’t strain your eyes. To improve both efficiency and aesthetics, you’ll need lighting options other than the room’s overhead light. However, you don’t have to break your bank by purchasing top of the line lighting accessories.

For your desk, consider reusing a small lamp from elsewhere in your home.

Look around consignment shops or home decor or department stores’ clearance sections for reduced-price floor and desk lamps.

Try to provide two to three lighting accessories so you can customize the room’s light levels. Including more lighting options is better for your eyes and improves the room’s feel. Warmer, shaded sources of light like desk and floor lamps are preferable to fluorescent overhead lighting.

Method 3 Maximizing Efficiency on a Budget.

1. Make sure that you only have to spend money on decor. The first way to stick to a low budget when designing an office space is to choose a room that doesn't require a significant amount of structural work. There are only so many design solutions you can achieve through decor alone. Think about how the room’s layout and level of finish will contribute to your efficiency.

For example, when you choose your office space, make sure the room has enough electrical outlets for your needs. Two outlets and affordable power strips should allow you to plug in your computer, printer, cell phone charger, at least two light sources in addition to the overhead light, and any other objects that require electricity.

An interior room without a window might make you less likely to want to work in that room, thus decreasing your productivity. Likewise, budget-friendly decor options can’t do much for an unfinished basement room. Make sure your space is clean and free of leaks or structural issues in order to encourage efficiency.

Even a nook in your bedroom or living room can offer more inexpensive, ergonomic, and efficient options than a larger spare room lacking outlets, insulation, multiple light sources, and other necessities.

2. Go for budget-friendly storage options instead of minimalism. From planning your budget to picking out furniture and accessories, your number one priority should be storage. A minimalist office look might be trendy, but splurging on stylish decor options that lack storage will max out your budget, decrease your efficiency, and limit your ability to keep the space organized.

Take the time to declutter and organize your things so you only store what you actually need.

Keep your budget in check by optimizing the storage space you already have available. If you're using a spare bedroom as an office, use the closet for storage to hide clutter. Install shelving for better organization if there aren’t any already present.

Ensuring everything in your office has a designated place and keeping your spaced organized are among the easiest and most affordable ways to maximize your efficiency.

3. Improve productivity with inexpensive candles and air fresheners. Making sure your office smells nice is among the most budget-friendly ways to increase efficiency. Believe it or not, recent studies suggest a more fragrant office not only improves comfort, but encourages productivity.

Experiments show that scents including lavender, rosemary, jasmine, and lemon encourage efficiency.

Remember inexpensive candles, oil diffusers, and other fragrant accessories can also be visually pleasing additions to your home office. You can choose scents that relax you or energize you, depending on your preferences and mood.

Desember 24, 2019

how to decorate your home in eclectic style

How to Decorate Your Home in Eclectic Style.

Eclectic interior designs are perfect for anyone who wants to put a fun, creative spin on their home decor. Eclectic means combining different time periods and styles. This results in unique décor, like colonial with a bohemian flare, rural meets modern, or Neo-classic with a trendy urban spin. But it can also be tricky to pull off. While there’s no set rules for eclectic homes, some tips can help turn this mismatched style into a cohesive, unified look.

Method 1 Buying Statement Pieces.

1. Search for one-of-a-kind furniture and knicknacks. Your furniture should help bring your different styles together. Look at different time periods for ideas, like furnishing your living room with a chintz armchair and a mid-century sofa. Hand-made pieces are perfect for eclectic rooms. Go with family hand-me-downs or something you can pick up at a garage sale. This feels creative and personal, which is exactly what eclectic style is about.

2. Make a focal point out of an eye-catching decoration. Maybe it's a painting, chandelier, antique, or special piece of furniture that gets guests talking. Only use one focal point per room. Any more is too confusing and distracting.

A statement piece can also help you to develop an eclectic style for a room. Choose your piece, and then build the rest of the décor around it.

3. Show off your interests and hobbies. Eclectic style is about your personality. If you’re a photographer, make a gallery of black and white photos. Bookworms can fill their rooms with bookshelves, or even use end tables made out of books. Hunters can mount deer heads on the walls. Whatever your hobby, find a way to make it part of your design.

Keep in mind that an eclectic home should look curated and collected. Use pieces that show off your style to achieve this look!

4. Decorate with objects that reflect your history. Your home can tell your story. Decorate with Mexican pottery from your vacation to Oaxaca, Celtic crosses to honor your Irish heritage, and potted cacti from your college years in Arizona. Blend these different parts together. Use family heirlooms like your grandmother’s antique lamp mixed with pop art from your favorite movie.

Even your main style can come from your history, like rustic chic in honor of your grandparents’ farmhouse.

Avoid lots of matching items and brand new pieces. Collect a variety of new, used, and reused pieces over time to make your home look eclectic.

5. Let your style say something about your values and personality. Throw in a splash of bohemian to reflect your free spirited side. If you’re forward-thinking, go with elements of modern style. If you enjoy the simpler side of life, go with a classic, Victorian, or a colonial theme. Your style should be based on who you are, and what you believe in.

Method 2 Unifying Elements.

1. Choose 2 or 3 styles so your design doesn't get too complicated. Eclectic doesn’t mean over the top. It’s easy to get caught up in blending so many styles and objects, but that can turn your home into a messy eyesore. Try sticking to 2 styles (3 max), usually with 1 dominant style and the other complimenting it.

For example, a vintage main style with a hint of rustic charm.

You can create an eclectic style using a minimalist or maximalist approach. Go with the approach that suits you!

2. Pick a single go-to color scheme to unite the room. Eclectic style only works if you connect the mismatched styles. Color schemes can pull a room or house together. Neutral colors are your best bet. Use a neutral like gray with gold or pastel colors to make the room look cohesive.

Don’t use too many different colors, or colors that clash. That's more gaudy than eclectic.

Opt for a single bold color, such as green, to unite the items in your room. Just make sure to be consistent with your color choice.

3. Furnish each room with a variety of textures. Different textures bring out different styles. Try combinations like a shag rug next to a metal coffee table, or a soft, modern sofa beside a hand-carved Victorian writing desk.

Keep a balance of soft and rough textures, with a few objects of each.

Choose art, rugs, and furniture in a variety of different textures to add interest to your space.

4. Chose a color palette, furniture, and decorations that fit the same mood. Think of how you want to feel in each room. You might want one room to unwind, and another to host parties. Keep that in mind when you decorate.

Keeping your furniture in the same general style allows you more freedom to change up your other décor, such as accessories, accent pieces, and art.

If you’re going for something whimsical, fill the room with plants, bright colors, and unique, bold patterns. For something more cerebral, go with bookshelves, vintage furniture, and calming colors.

Method 3 Arranging a Layout.

1. Buy practical furniture that fits your needs. Don’t get so caught up in style that you forget the actual purpose of the room. Remember that you’re living here, so it needs to be functional. A living room should be relaxing, and a breakfast nook should have space to cook. Pick furniture that fits those needs.

For example, get a dining room table that has space enough for your family, not just one that looks stylish.

Comfortable living room furniture is also very important. For example, you might find a really interesting sofa that would look great in your home, but you may regret this purchase if the sofa is not comfortable.

2. Spread out the furniture so the room isn't too crowded. Balance is the key to eclectic rooms. Too much furniture looks cluttered, especially if it’s all bunched together while the other half of the room is empty. Spread out the furniture evenly, so the room looks neat and smooth.

Clutter looks messy, not eclectic, and makes it hard to get around.

3. Remember to leave some empty spaces. You want your interior design to be unique, not overwhelming. Don’t overdo it. Keep it balanced with empty space. Empty space can help put the focus on the decorations that you want to show off. If one wall has a photo gallery, leave another one bare.

Desember 25, 2019

10 wall decor ideas to refresh your space

10 Wall Decor Ideas to Refresh Your Space.



Looking for wall decor ideas to refresh your space? Those empty walls are filled with possibilities—and a few additions can make a house feel like a home. If you're ready to turn those stark, bare walls into stylish centerpieces, keep reading. No matter your style, we've got the tricks that can amp up your walls and bring out your personality and taste. Whether you’re an art collector, a nature enthusiast, or a book lover, your walls can be customized so that you can be surrounded by the things you adore. Discover 20 wall decor ideas that are sure to add style to your home.



Go for Large-Scale Art.

An oversized painting or photograph will command attention and set the tone in a small space. Try a black-and-white photo in a minimalist space or add color with a vibrant abstract piece.



Create a Gallery Wall.

Nothing adds personality and color quite like a gallery wall. Display a collection of art or photographs, or add wall hangings and other ephemera. Opt for simple, cohesive frames or bring in an array of ornate variations to mix things up! Pro tip: Extend the gallery wall to the ceiling to create the illusion of a larger space.



Incorporate an Accent Wall.

In addition to adding to the walls, think about decorating the walls themselves. Try using a bright and bold paint color to create an accent wall, or bring in pattern with wallpaper, stenciling, or other decorative paint techniques. (Think about transforming your ceiling while you’re at it!) These decorative accents can have an even bigger impact in a small space.



Showcase Fabric.

A tapestry or wall hanging can add color and pattern, as well as a sense of softness to a space. Consider framing vintage scarves or other pretty textiles. Bonus: These are a lot easier to move than framed paintings when it comes time to head to your next home.





Hang Mirrors.

Mirrors reflect light, helping a small space to feel bigger and brighter. Try hanging an oversized mirror, or display several smaller pieces salon-style.



Paint a Mural.

Let your walls transport you to another place by adding a mural. Whether you hand-paint it or choose a wall covering, the motif will make a big impact.



Install Shelves.

If you’ve run out of floor space for bookshelves, take your collection to the wall. Install floating shelves and display hardcovers, small sculptures, and other odds and ends.



Hang Plates.

Why hide your fine china in the cabinet when you can show it off? Use wire plate hangers to display your favorite dishes and serving platters.





Add Sculptural Sconces.

Sconces add an extra source of light without taking up space on the floor or a side table. Choose an eye-catching design that doubles as a wall sculpture to bring in light and style.



Bring In Plants.

Plants don’t just have to sit on the windowsill. Try hanging or wall-mounted planters to add a bit of nature to your space and life to your walls.

November 07, 2019

how to decorate midcentury modern on a budget

How to Decorate Mid‐Century Modern on a Budget.

Mid-century modern style is a popular look that is both minimalistic and fun. The style is known for its retro furniture, romantic color schemes, and straight lines. You can take different approaches to styling your mid-century modern room depending on your personal style. Start by decluttering your house and maximising the natural light. Choose furniture and accessories that enhance the mid-century look, and keep an eye out in thrift stores and garage sales to find unique items at bargain prices.

Method 1 Changing the Basics.

1. Declutter your area. Whether you are decorating a bedroom, lounge, or a whole house, the area will look more mid-century modern if it is free from clutter. Remove any unnecessary items from surfaces, such as desks, benches, or tables. File any loose pieces of paper, throw out any rubbish, and keep books and magazines in one place. Place small objects, such as art supplies, stationery, or cleaning products, into boxes or cupboards.

Consider giving away any objects that don’t fit with the mid-century modern theme, such as any neon or sparkly items. Keep items like sturdy wooden frames and hardcover books. Just prepare to use them strategically.

Place a few candles on a dresser rather than a myriad of ornaments.

2. Paint the walls white and add a feature wall if you want a dash of colour. The majority of mid-century modern homes have white walls as this allows the statement pieces of furniture to stand out. Paint the interior walls white and if you want to brighten up a room, paint one wall a different colour.

For example, paint 3 walls in the dining room white and paint 1 wall pale pink. If you don’t like white, consider other neutral tones, such as light cream or grey.

The exception to this is areas where you have wooden wall panels, brick walls, or large feature windows. These were often centerpieces in mid-century homes and should be displayed and enhanced, not covered up.

Consider using wallpaper for your feature wall if you want it to have texture or pattern.

3. Open the curtains to maximize the natural light. Most houses get at least some light during the day. Make the most of the light to help create a mid-century modern feel. During the day, open all of the curtains in the house.

If you want some privacy during the day, consider purchasing sheer curtains. These give a light and breezy feel to the house whilst still giving privacy.

If there are any tall trees or hedges that are blocking the light shining through the windows, trim them back.

4. Incorporate wooden features into your home. A key focus of mid-century modern design is including wood into the home. Consider adding wooden flooring, a wooden bench top, or wooden doors to your house. Oak, walnut, and teak are popular types of wood used in mid-century modern design.

Use wooden laminate instead of wood to achieve a similar look at a cheaper price.

Wooden decor pieces such as wooden balls, wooden furniture legs and backs, and wood doors were all prevalent in mid-century homes.

Method 2 Choosing Furniture.

1. Choose a couch with straight lines and a bold colour. Couches and armchairs are big focal points in mid-century modern design. Pick a couch that has relatively straight arms and tall tapered legs instead of a couch with ornate rounded edges. Choose a bold colour to help the couch stand out.

A sea-blue couch paired with mustard cushions would be a great colour choice.

If a new couch doesn’t fit in your budget, consider adding a colourful throw to your current couch.

You can replace your couch's current legs with the quintessentially mid-century tapered wooden legs. These are available affordably from most home improvement stores, as well as online.

2. Add a mid-century style mirror as a statement piece. A mirror has the power to make a room look bigger and lighter. Place a large, round mirror opposite a door or window so that it can reflect the natural light around the room.

Consider choosing a sunburst mirror. These are an iconic accessory of the mid-century era. Find replicas online to save money, or search in thrift stores.

Alternatively, look for a mirror with a minimalist aesthetic. A large, circular mirror with a thin gold frame would also be great for a mid-century home.

Upcycle any mirrors you already have. If you have a mirror with a frame, repaint the frame to match the feature wall or lounge suite colours.

3. Add lamps, pendants, and soft lighting. Lighting is a key feature of the mid-century style. Choose lamps with thin stems to incorporate the clean and minimal lines of mid-century design. Pick pendants that attract focus and have sculptural elements. Look for floor lamps that arch over furniture. Choose bulbs that have more yellow tones rather than blue tones as this will create a softer look.

Consider using multiple lamps per room to create different pockets of light. Limit pendants to one per room as they are a dominant feature.

Look for pendants and lamps at garage sales to find unique designs at a bargain price.

4. Choose wooden furniture to give a natural look to the space. Choose shades of wood that mirror the colours of wood found in nature. Natural pines and medium-browns work well. Consider adding a wooden coffee table, wooden chairs, or wooden shelves. If you want more minimal amounts of wood, choose a couch with wooden legs.

If you have wooden furniture that has been painted, consider sanding off the paint to expose the natural wood.

Don’t be afraid to use laminate. This can create a wooden look at a lower price.

Look out for wooden furniture in thrift shops. This is a great way to get quality furniture at a lower price.

Method 3 Adding Accessories.

1. Place a few pieces of bold art on the walls. The mid-century modern style is fairly minimalistic. Avoid placing too much art on the walls and cluttering the space. It is best to pick a few favourite pieces for the walls in each room.

Large graphics painted with oil on canvas are a great mid-century option. Metal wall plaques fit with the theme.

Abstract metal and stone sculptures are also good artistic accessories for this style.

2. Choose indoor plants to bring a feeling of life to your space. A key theme of mid-century modern style is the blending of the indoors and outdoors. An easy way to achieve this look is by adding indoor plants to your rooms. Consider adding plants at different levels to bring a natural look. For example, place one plant in a hanging basket and another on a coffee table.

Peace lilies are a timeless looking plant that improve air quality. Cacti are another timeless option.

Plants with hanging vines or droopy leaves work best in hanging baskets.

Plants are integral to the mid-century look. If you can't keep real plants in your home, invest in some fake plants to get the look.

3. Choose bedding and pillows with bold patterns. Repeating patterns and geometric shapes are an iconic part of the mid-century decorating style. An affordable way to introduce these to your house is through accessories. Add patterned cushions to your bed or couch to bring detail and color to the rooms. Alternatively, pick a patterned bedspread that makes the bed the focal point of the room.

Avoid having patterns on both the bedspread and decorative pillows. Similarly, avoid pairing a patterned couch with patterned cushions. Patterns look best when paired with plain items.

Consider buying fabric and then the sewing cushion covers or bedspread yourself. This is a great way to find the pattern you want and save money. If you can’t sew, ask a friend or family member that has good sewing skills to help you.

4. Pick a neutral-coloured rug that has an interesting texture. Mixing different textures in your home is a great way to enhance the mid-century style. Look for a rug that has a different texture to the carpet and couches. Try to get a neutral-colored rug so that you don’t draw away from the furniture in the room.

A shaggy rug would work well in a space with a velvet couch. Sisal and jute rugs also compliment this style and are very durable.

Purchase a rug from a home department store or keep an eye out at garage sales.

Tips.

If you working with a low budget, keep an eye out for big sales throughout the year.

Search thrift shops to find authentic retro items.

The mid-century look is very popular, so you can find a lot of modern items made to fit the aesthetic. Take a look at your local discount home goods and furniture stores for inspiration.

Januari 23, 2020

how to easy decorate a dresser

How to Decorate a Dresser.

The top of a dresser and the wall behind it can feel like intimidating, odd spaces to decorate if you don’t know where to start. But luckily you can achieve a balanced, functional, and beautifully styled dresser with just a few simple tricks. Create a balanced composition with large anchor pieces, or experiment with dynamic asymmetry. A tall mirror or framed picture can serve as focal points when mounted above your dresser, as can a collection of frames arranged in a gallery wall. Use a combination of lamps, vases, and other tall objects to add some height. From there, fill in the remaining space with your favorite trinkets, plants, and personal belongings.







Method 1. Placing Accessories on the Dresser



1. Designate storage spaces for your everyday stuff. Give your belongings a home to begin with and you’ll never have clutter on your dresser! If you wear a lot of jewelry, for example, consider using a jewelry box, tree, or tray for storage. Place this in a convenient spot on your dresser before adding any other accessories.

If your belongings are too big to sit on top of the dresser itself, make some space right next to it so you don’t get into the habit of dumping things on the dresser. Try a wire or woven basket for catching your backpack or handbag and scarves, for example.

By leaving room for your personal belongings, you’re also adding your personal touch to the decor.

Add a hat hook above your dresser if you wear baseball caps all the time. This could also be useful for displaying your summery straw hats that only get worn once in a while.



2. Brighten up your space with a table lamp. Lamps can be especially useful if your space doesn’t get much natural light. Opt for a white or off-white lampshade for maximum light output. Pick out a stylish lamp base to add a pop of color or texture to your decor.

Try a pair of matching lamps on either side of your dresser for the most symmetry.

Visit a home decor store where you can mix and match lampshades and bases to try out different combinations.

For a small dresser, choose a lamp with a narrow base and a relatively narrow shade. The shade should be narrower than the dresser so it doesn’t feel out of place.



3. Place standing picture frames on your dresser for a personal touch. Use framed family photos or snapshots from your travels to add a personal touch that will make you smile each time you see it.

Display your photos in statement frames to add some color and texture.

Try a series of slender black or metal frames for a more minimalist look.



4. Display small trinkets on a decorative tray. If you have a collection of perfume bottles or figurines, consider arranging them on a round or rectangular tray. Choose a tray that’s about half the depth of your dresser so it doesn’t feel oversized.

Feel free to assign a tray as a catchall for your keys, sunglasses, or the contents of your pockets. This will keep your dresser tidy and prevent you from misplacing anything.

Both functional and attractive, trays help ground small objects that would otherwise make the dresser look cluttered.

Try adding height to the tray with one taller item, like a candle or vase.



5. Stack up some coffee table books beneath a smaller trinket. Select books with interesting spines and arrange them from largest to smallest, with the smallest on top. Use this stack to add some height to a smaller object you’d like to display. This could be a figurine, a vase or potted plant, or even a pair of glamorous shoes!

For a minimalist look, only use books with white spines or black spines.



6. Arrange small-scale flowers or potted plants around your dresser. While a large special occasion bouquet can quickly brighten up your space, your dresser might feel empty once it’s gone. To keep some greenery around, place 1 or a few small potted plants across your dresser. Or, keep a small vase on your dresser and fill it with a small-scale floral arrangement of a single flower variety every so often.

To balance out your greenery, place 1 medium-sized houseplant, such as a palm or fern, on the left section and 1 or 2 smaller plants like a cactus, succulent, or aloe plant on the right section.

Pick up a small bunch of seasonal flowers, such as tulips, daffodils, peonies for your dresser.

If you do place a large bouquet on your dresser, keep in in the center so it remains the focal point while it’s there.



7. Add height with branches and leaves. A handful of branches or tall grasses can be tucked into a tall vase. Try fake plants and branches for a low-maintenance look or consider using real ones to liven up your space.

Try a single monstera leaf for a bold statement, or add some warmth with boughs of cotton.

Consider a sprig of dried eucalyptus leaves that give off a fresh fragrance.

Change up your decor seasonally with berry-filled branches for winter and blossoming branches in the spring.



8. Display candles in large lanterns or tall candlesticks. Candles are a staple for dresser decorations. Use candleholders and bold lanterns to add height and visual interest instead of just setting a small candle on top of your dresser.

Try placing a matching pair of pillar candles in a matching pair of columnar candleholders on either side of your dresser.

Alternatively, cluster a trio of tapers in short, medium, and tall candlesticks on your dresser.

A poured candle in a decorative jar can be set on top of a stack of coffee table books.







Method 2. Mounting Wall Decorations



1. Mount a large mirror above the center of the dresser to enlarge your space. Whether you use the mirror your dresser came with or a standalone mirror with a unique decorative frame, mount it on the wall directly over the center of your dresser.

A mirror will visually expand your room and reflect light. Plus it’s functional for when you’re getting ready!

Instead of hanging the mirror, try standing it up on the dresser and leaning it against the wall. Just make sure it’s secure and won’t tip over.



2. Display a piece of statement art above the dresser. Create a focal point for your dresser decorations by placing a metal wall sculpture, a framed picture, a thick canvas, or another unique work of art in the center. Mount it on the wall a few inches above your dresser or at eye level.

Choose an artwork in portrait orientation to reduce the amount of blank space between your dresser and the ceiling.

Try displaying a pair or trio of canvases to add interest.



3. Create a gallery wall above the dresser. Rather than just displaying 1 piece of artwork, curate a collection of your favorite pieces to display as a gallery wall. Gather a handful of framed pictures and other objects that can be hung up, such as hats, fabric, and various trinkets you may have collected. Experiment with different layouts by rearranging the pieces on a floor or table until you reach your favorite. Then go ahead and hang them up!

Select pieces with a similar look and feel or a common theme. This will help make your gallery wall look intentional rather than accidental.

Try to leave a similar amount of empty space between each object.



4. Hang a textile to add warmth, color, and texture. A brightly patterned silk scarf, a handmade macrame wall hanging, or a woven tapestry can all be mounted on the wall. You can focus on bringing pattern and color into your decor with a smooth textile, or introduce warmth and texture with chunky yarns and fringe.

Any textile element can be attached to a rod with a cord tied to either side. This method of display helps by adding a little additional height above your piece of fabric.

For an invisible mount, try securing adhesive-backed hook and loop strips to the back of your fabric panel and to the wall.







Method 3. Creating a Balanced Composition



1. Place 1 large anchor piece in each third of your dresser. If you’re not sure where to start, divide the top of your dresser into 3 sections: left, right, and center. Each can contain 1 anchor piece, namely something tall and substantial. Experiment with placing tall, narrow standing pieces either side section and leaning or mounting a framed picture or a mirror in the center section.

Use a measuring tape to determine the total width of your dresser and then divide this in thirds to determine how wide each section should be.

A lamp with an eye-catching base, a decorative vase, or a tall sculptural piece all work well on the left and right side.

Wide dressers can look especially elegant when decorated symmetrically, with matching pieces on the left and right side.



2. Layer accessories to add dimension. Most dressers feature shallow tops, but you can add depth and dimension to your dresser by overlapping frames and accessories. Try leaning a smaller frame up against a larger one. Place a shorter item, or a small cluster of small pieces, in front of a taller object.

If you’re decorating a narrow dresser, layering will probably be necessary. If the lampshade covers part of the framed picture, that’s more than ok!

Try layering by placing a short poured candle in front of a tall jewelry tree.

Consider offsetting a smaller vase in front of a bigger one.



3. Introduce color and texture into your decor with accessories. For visual balance, opt for pieces with a similar texture and materials. Or, create a dynamic composition with contrasting materials and textures. Whichever approach you follow, pick up the colors and textures from the rest of the space to bring the rest of the room’s elements together.

Try using a patterned lampshade that picks up the colors in your bedding.

Pick out a vintage metallic sculpture to add some glowing warmth to your space.

Try a piece of pottery on one side and a lamp with a ceramic base on the other for balance.

For contrast, place a spindly metal light fixture on one side and a wooden globe on the other. You can always use bold accessories to restore balance to the side that carries less visual weight.



4. Soften up hard lines with accessories featuring organic shapes. If your wall-mounted pieces or the dresser itself feature strong or heavy lines, contrast this with the addition of curves and soft edges. Choose accessories that feature round or curved lines or organic shapes.

Use plants and flowers to instantly soften up harsh geometric shapes.

A thick black picture frame could be balanced by something like a round woven basket or a mini classical bust.

Experiment by layering rounded accessories over geometric ones, and vice versa.

November 21, 2019