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.
Garden Nest Living grew from a simple idea: to share my love of gardens and creating calm, beautiful spaces, both inside and out. When you buy through my affiliate links, you are allowing me to keep sharing inspiration, ideas and products… at no extra cost to you. Thank you for being a part of my journey!
Why Small Styling Tweaks Can Transform a Room
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!
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10 Easy Home Styling Tips for a Fresh Look
- Use the Rule of Three for Effortless Room Styling: 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.
- Layer Textures for a Warm, Lived-In Feel: 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.
- Add Indoor Plants for a Fresh, Inviting Home: 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.
- Update Soft Furnishings to Refresh Your Space Seasonally: 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.
- Mix Lighting Sources for Mood and Function: 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.
- Restyle Shelves for a Curated, Designer Look: 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.
- Swap Artwork and Photos for a Quick Room Refresh: 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.
- Use Mirrors to Brighten and Enlarge Small Rooms: 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.
- Declutter Surfaces for a Clean, Minimalist Style: 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.
- Add a Signature Scent to Make Your Home Memorable: 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 to Use Decorating Rules Without Losing Your Personality
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 for Balanced Visual Appeal
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 for Colour and Style Harmony
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 for Mixing Patterns and Textures
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 for Symmetry in Interior Design
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 Room Refresh Checklist for Beginners
- Pick one area to refresh. Don’t try to overhaul the whole house at once. Focus on one fireplace, coffee table, or nook.
- Remove everything from that spot. This gives you a blank canvas to work with and helps you see the space clearly.
- Clean the area. You’ll be surprised how quickly this makes a difference. Dust and shine up before you put items back.
- Add items back using the Rule of Three or odd numbers. Stack a few books, add a candle, and perch a small plant.
- Switch up sources of light. Try moving a lamp or adding a new bulb for a different ambience.
- Finish up with texture. Drape a throw or add a pillow for a soft touch.
- Step back and check the balance. If something feels off, adjust heights or swap items around.
Things to Consider Before Updating Your Home Décor
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-Friendly Decorating Strategies: Swaps like cushion covers, prints, and plants are wallet-friendly. Invest in bigger pieces only if they add comfort or storage.
- Balancing Style and Room Functionality: Changes are easier if style decisions work with how you live. Make sure there’s still space to move and be comfortable.
- Low-Maintenance Décor Ideas for Busy Homes: 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.
- Staying True to Your 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.
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.
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.
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.
Final Thoughts: Creating a Confident, Personal Home Style
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.
I really like the website and the 10 Easy Home Styling tips. I had never heard of the rules 70/30,60/40,50/50 but that does make sense. I really enjoyed the read. Thank you for posting this information as I was happy to learn a few things I can tryout. How did you learn about these rules?
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m so glad you enjoyed the 10 Easy Home Styling Tips and that the decorating rules were new (and useful!) for you. I first came across the 70/30, 60/40, and 50/50 guidelines while researching ways to improve my own home over the years. As I styled and decorated our Georgian house, I experimented with these ratios and found they really do make a difference in balancing a room. It’s been a mix of reading design books, following interior stylists, and plenty of trial and error—sometimes the best lessons come from just playing around with a space. I’d love to hear how your experiments with these rules turn out!
I believe this guide about refreshing your space is very well structured, and I really appreciate that you shared your personal journey. It’s encouraging to hear how you started with safe neutrals before gradually exploring bold styling and deeper tones. That kind of process is so helpful for anyone still figuring out their own home style.
The tips you provided—like the rule of three, layering textures, and updating furnishings—make home styling feel approachable and doable. I also really liked how you emphasized personal expression over following rigid trends. Your breakdown of decorating “rules,” especially the 70/30 and 60/40 balance ideas, was explained in a way that actually makes them easy to apply.
Do you have a favorite way to choose color palettes for smaller spaces that won’t feel overwhelming?
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment—I’m really glad you connected with both the practical tips and the personal journey I shared. ’ve always believed that creating a home should feel like an evolution rather than following strict rules, so it means a lot to hear that came through.
When it comes to choosing colour palettes for smaller spaces, my favourite approach is to start with a light, neutral base(soft whites, warm greys, or pale taupes) to keep the space feeling open and airy. From there, I like to add one or two accent colours that reflect your personality (I love bold, dramatic colours)—whether that’s through cushions, throws, art, or of course, plants! Using textures and natural elements in similar tones also helps add depth without overwhelming the room.
I have not only worked as a groundsman or nurseryman but also as an interior plant scape designer, and I have seen firsthand the experience of what a well-thought-out plan can achieve with the help of garden plants that make such a great transformation, bringing a big difference that is so satisfying and filled with rewards
Love these home styling tips! I’m always itching to refresh my place but don’t have the budget for a full remodel. The rule of three makes so much sense—grouping things in odd numbers instantly makes a shelf or coffee table look curated rather than cluttered. I also swear by layering textures; swapping in a faux fur throw or textured pillows instantly cozies things up, and adding a houseplant brings the space to life. The 70/30 colour rule is new to me; I’m curious how you decide which accent colour to use for that 30%—do you pick it based on existing pieces or start with a mood board? Also, I’m terrible at choosing scents—any suggestions for signature fragrances that are subtle but welcoming? These suggestions feel totally doable, and I appreciate the reminder that refreshing a room can be as simple as rotating artwork or updating soft furnishings.
I’m so glad you found these tips helpful! You’re absolutely right—small changes like layering textures or adding greenery can completely transform a space without the cost of a big remodel. For the 70/30 color rule, I usually start with what’s already in the room—maybe it’s a rug, a favorite piece of art, or even the tones in your wood furniture. From there, I pull out an accent color that complements but still pops. A mood board is definitely a great way to play with options before committing.
As for scents, subtle and welcoming ones I love include soft citrus (like bergamot or orange blossom), fresh linen, or light herbal blends such as lavender + eucalyptus. They create a cozy, inviting vibe without being overwhelming.