Pinterest Decorating Living Rooms

If you feel overwhelmed by all the beautiful rooms featured on Pinterest, Houzz, and every other decorating blog on the Internet, you’re not alone. The impossibly pretty standards that have been set are hard for most people to live up to. But that doesn’t mean that you too can’t have a Pinterest-worthy home.

If you want to spruce up your own home so it feels worthy of being seen by the design-loving masses, don’t try to do it all at once.

Take it slow and tackle one decorating project at a time.

Style Bookshelves

An easy way to flex your decorating muscles without spending a penny is to style your bookshelves. Obviously, bookshelves are often used for storing and displaying books, but that doesn’t mean they should just be put there haphazardly. Stack books horizontally and vertically, layer in other accessories (photo frames, decorative objects, small floral displays, etc), and create vignettes that are pleasant to look at. It’s a great way to express a little creativity and freshen up a space.

Edit Furniture and Accessories

One of the keys to great decorating is to edit, and let’s be honest - everyone has something they can get rid of. So be really honest with yourself and choose at least one item that you can donate, recycle, or throw away.

People have a habit of hanging on to things they no longer want or need simply because they think they may use it again some day. But unless something is useful and/or has special sentimental value, it can probably go. If you're worried about missing the item once it's gone and losing the memories associated with it, consider taking some photos before you dispose of it and putting it in an album.

The chances are good that you'll never even look at the photos after the fact, but the process of taking them helps make it easier.

Clean the Windows

It’s amazing what clean, sparkling windows can do for a room. Or perhaps a better way to look at it is that dingy, dirty windows can be detrimental to the look of a room. When windows are dull and have spots of dirt and grime the whole room can look a little bit dark. Clean windows allow the maximum amount of light and sunshine into a room and that makes a world of difference. Have you ever seen a dirty window in a magazine or on Pinterest? Nope, me neither.

Style the Coffee Table

Coffee tables are utilitarian. Most of us end up putting up our feet, setting down our drinks, and leaving all sorts of things on them. But notice that in every living room photo featured on a decorating blog or in a magazine there is a beautifully styled coffee table. Styling a coffee table isn’t difficult, but if you’re not sure how check out these styling tips. And remember the number one rule of coffee table styling – when in doubt, corral all the items on a pretty tray. And the second rule is to never put anything too high so that it blocks sight lines.

Rearrange The Furniture

This a big one.

If your room needs a little sprucing up, try rearranging the furniture. Pull the furniture away from the walls, create new conversation areas, and put a piece in an unexpected spot. You might be surprised at what a big difference moving a few things around can do. It will feel like a brand new space and you won't have spent a penny.