Happy Monday y’all! If you’ve been reading for a bit, you know that my husband and I don’t own our home. Which is a good thing, because our home is U-G-L-Y not cute. We’re still newlyweds, paying our dues in a rental before buying our first home. Because we’re renters, I can’t rely on changing the wall color or ripping out the carpet (through I’d love to). When I’m decorating, I have to be intentional about what I bring in the room. In the last year that we’ve lived in this house, I’ve realized that the accessories I bring in are the most important. The “shell” of the room (flooring, wall color, lighting fixtures) are unchangeable for us, so the accessories matter.
Today I want to share with you the four things I use most often to create vignettes in my home. The staple pieces, if you will. These are my favorite things to decorate with, and can be seen everywhere in my home. If you’re a renter like me (or even if you’re not), these are some things you can use to cozy things up without making any major changes.
1. Books
I use books everywhere! They are great for adding height to smaller items, for making different levels. Styling accessories takes a bit of practice (which I’m still learning), but stacked books can add another dimension to whatever it is that you’re displaying. I absolutely love old versions of Reader’s Digest Condensed Books. They come in a variety of colors, and the patterns are beautiful. I find them at thrift stores and garage sales usually for $1 each or less. With something so inexpensive, you really can’t go wring!
2. Candles
I love to use candles not only for decor, but for practical purposes as well. They provide a soft light, warmth, and a certain coziness to a space. I usually will have one scented candle burning at a time, along with other white unscented candles. I buy candles from IKEA. They are sold in sets, usually a few dollars for several candles.
3. Trays
Trays are great because they are like an anchor for pieces you want to display. They work especially well for areas like coffee tables, where the space is versatile. I like to have pieces on my coffee table, but it can be a pan to move things constantly. Having your accessories displayed on a tray makes moving things easy! This is especially helpful if you have little ones around (or so I’m told).
4. Flowers
My favorite thing of all! I always have them around somewhere! Whether you’re using faux or fresh (I use both, though I’m partial to fresh), flowers can make a huge impact. Each week when I’m doing my grocery shopping, I stop by the floral section and pick up an inexpensive bunch or two. Fresh flowers add a nice scent (obviously), and an element of thoughtfulness to a room.
So there you have it, friends. These are the things that I use in my home to add dimension. If I’m in a pinch, these are my go-to pieces. I use them all most frequently when I’m styling (or restyling, then restyling again) a room. I hope you’ve found this helpful! Do you use these in your home too? I’d love to hear about it! That’s all for today, friends. Have a fabulous day!
