10 Easy Home Styling Tips To Refresh Your Space

10 Easy Home Styling Tips to Refresh Your Space… Refreshing your home’s style can be loads of fun, and you don’t always need a huge budget or a major remodel to make a space feel brand new. A few clever styling tips, some simple changes, and a little inspiration can transform your rooms and lift the mood of your home. I’ve gathered some of my favourite home styling ideas, plus answers to popular decorating questions, to help you freshen up your space without stress.

My Decorating Journey: From Safe Neutrals to Bold, Beautifully Styled Spaces

My passion for styling and decorating began when we moved into our Georgian home over a decade ago. With its original features and charming quirks, it felt like the perfect canvas to create something special.

In the beginning, I was hesitant—worried I might make the wrong choices—so I played it safe with soft greys, light neutrals, and simple accessories. My approach to styling was equally cautious: minimal cushions, modest lighting, and just enough décor to feel “finished.”

As my confidence grew, so did my willingness to experiment. I started introducing richer colours, bolder accessories, and more layered textures. Feature walls appeared here and there, along with statement rugs, dramatic mirrors, and curated shelf displays that reflected our personality.

Today, I embrace deep, dramatic tones throughout our home, pairing them with considered styling touches—plants for freshness, textiles for warmth, and lighting for mood. Farrow & Ball remains my paint of choice; their colours never fail to transform a space.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned? There are no “mistakes” in decorating or styling -only opportunities to refine and try again. Every tweak, every change, every new piece adds to the story our home tells.

Why Small Styling Tweaks Matter

Home styling isn’t about gutting rooms or following the most popular trends just for the sake of it. It’s about making small changes that give you a home you love coming back to. Sometimes, swapping out a faded cushion, adding a leafy plant, or getting rid of lingering clutter already helps create a space that feels fresh and inviting.

The best part about these tips is that you don’t need design experience or a big wallet. Just a bit of creativity and a willingness to try something new. And if you’re curious about some of those decorating “rules” you hear mentioned, I’ll break those down too to clear things up!

The Top 10 Easy Home Styling Tips

1. Use the Rule of Three: When styling surfaces, try grouping things like vases, candles, or books in groups of three. Odd numbers look a little more relaxed and visually appealing. This technique, the “rule of three,” makes setups feel balanced but still interesting to the eye.
2. Layer Textures: Mix soft items like plush throws and furry pillows with hard elements like wood, glass, or metal. Layering different textures gives your space depth and a cosy, lived-in vibe. Even if your colour palette is pretty simple, a mix of finishes keeps things from feeling flat.
3. Add Greenery: An indoor plant can make a huge difference in almost any room. Add a potted succulent to a shelf, a fern in your bathroom, or some faux greenery on the coffee table. Indoor plants bring energy, fresh colour, and life to a space.
4. Update Soft Furnishings: Swapping cushion covers, throws, curtains, or rugs is an easy way to give your home a seasonal change or a style upgrade. Try bold patterns for a fresh pop or switch to lighter fabrics when spring arrives.
5. Play with Lighting: Mix up your lighting with table lamps, a floor lamp, and your main ceiling light. Different types of lighting help set the mood, add warmth, and allow you to adjust the vibe depending on the time of day.
6. Restyle Shelves: Take everything off your shelves, then carefully add items back, varying the heights and shapes of objects. Stack a few books(the rule of three), add a framed photo, and finish off with a candle or plant. This helps your shelves look styled and interesting without getting overcrowded.
7. Swap Artwork & Photos: Artwork and photographs are super easy to change for a quick refresh. You can rotate them seasonally, update frames for a new look, or shuffle art between rooms to keep things feeling new.
8. Use Mirrors: Mirrors bounce light around and make small rooms feel larger. Hang a mirror across from a window, or prop a big one on the floor for a very on-trend look. Bonus: mirrors come in tons of cool shapes and styles.
9. Declutter Surfaces: Tidy up countertops, coffee tables, and sideboards by only keeping what you really love or use. A few carefully chosen pieces look better than a crowd of random objects, and clean surfaces make any room feel more spacious and calm.
10. Add a Signature Scent: Candles, diffusers, or fresh flowers can give your space a consistent, welcoming scent. A familiar fragrance helps make your home feel truly yours and leaves a good impression on guests.

How Decorating Rules Can Help

You might have heard bits about certain decorating “rules” like the 3-5-7 rule, the 70/30 rule, the 60/40 rule, or even balancing things 50/50. Instead of being overwhelming, these guidelines can actually help you get things looking great.

The 3-5-7 Rule in Decorating

This is a favourite of stylists everywhere. The idea is to group objects together in odd numbers—3, 5, or 7. Odd-numbered clusters are visually appealing because our brains find them more balanced and natural but not too “matchy.” Try this with vases on a fireplace, photos on a wall, or pillows on a sofa.

The 70/30 Rule in Interior Design

This rule helps with colour or style balance. Use one style or colour for about 70% of the space (like a neutral colour or classic style), then bring in a contrasting style or colour for the remaining 30%. This combo creates interest and helps keep a room from feeling too coordinated or too all over the place.

The 60/40 Rule in Decorating

This one is similar but usually applies to mixing patterns or combinations, like 60% of one dominant element (maybe a colour or material) and 40% of another. For example, you might do 60% white walls and sofa, with 40% bold, patterned throw pillows and a funky rug. Both the 70/30 and 60/40 split make blending different styles a lot less intimidating.

The 50/50 Rule in Decorating

Here, it’s all about even balance. Maybe half of a wall is painted and half is wallpapered, or half the cushions are plain and half are patterned. It’s good for symmetry, but sometimes a room feels more natural with the looseness of the 70/30 or 60/40 split.

Quick Guide: Easy Steps to Refresh Your Space

1. Pick one area to refresh. Don’t try to overhaul the whole house at once. Focus on one fireplace, coffee table, or nook.
2. Remove everything from that spot. This gives you a blank canvas to work with and helps you see the space clearly.
3. Clean the area. You’ll be surprised how quickly this makes a difference. Dust and shine up before you put items back.
4. Add items back using the Rule of Three or odd numbers. Stack a few books, add a candle, and perch a small plant.
5. Switch up sources of light. Try moving a lamp or adding a new bulb for a different ambience.
6. Finish up with texture. Drape a throw or add a pillow for a soft touch.
7. Step back and check the balance. If something feels off, adjust heights or swap items around.

Things To Consider Before Making Changes

Refreshing your space feels great, but it helps to think about a few things before hauling out the paint can or splurging on new decor. Ask yourself how you actually use the room—do you need more storage, better lighting, or less clutter? Keep in mind:

• Budget: Swaps like cushion covers, prints, and plants are wallet-friendly. Invest in bigger pieces only if they add comfort or storage.
• Room function: Changes are easier if style decisions work with how you live. Make sure there’s still space to move and be comfortable.
• Maintenance: Choose easy-care indoor plants and stick to washable fabrics if you have kids or pets. Being practical means you’ll enjoy the space more.
• Personal style: Trends can inspire, but always go with what makes you happy at home.

FAQs: Home Styling Questions Answered

Question: What’s the easiest way to make a room look new?
Answer: Swapping out soft furnishings and adding a few indoor plants or flowers creates a quick impact. Decluttering and changing up the lighting work wonders, too.

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Question: How do I use the Rule of Three?
Answer: Just style objects like books, vases, or frames in groups of three for a more natural and balanced look. If you have more space, go for groups of five or seven.

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Question: Can I mix different styles or colours?
Answer: Absolutely. Use the 70/30 or 60/40 rules to keep mixes feeling purposeful, not chaotic. One style or palette dominates, the other brings in a fun contrast.

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Question: Is it worth investing in new decor pieces for small changes?
Answer: Sometimes, yes; new covers for pillows, a bright rug, or a big leafy indoor plant can make a surprisingly big difference for the price.

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Easy Home Styling Tips for a Fresh, Confident Look

Over the past decade in our Georgian home, I’ve gone from playing it safe with soft greys and neutrals to embracing bold colours and carefully styled spaces. In the early days, I stuck to minimal accessories and subtle tones, worried I might get it “wrong.” But as I experimented—adding feature walls, richer textures, statement lighting, and curated shelf displays—I discovered how much joy comes from truly making a space my own.

Home styling is about more than just looks—it’s about creating a space that feels right for you. Whether you follow the rule of three for arranging décor, layer different textures for depth, or simply add a pop of greenery, small tweaks can bring fresh energy without stress. The best part? There’s no such thing as a decorating mistake—only new ideas waiting to be tried. So have fun, be bold, and let your home tell your story.