Oh my goodness friends… How are you?! I’m so excited to be back from vacation. I’ve missed chatting. If you are anything like me, you look forward to a relaxing change, fun adventures in new surroundings but then about half way in, you look forward to being home; in your own bed with your own shower and a routine. Any of you like that? Aaaaaaahhhhhh – I’m so glad to be home!
One of the reasons I enjoy coming home so much is because I cleaned the house before I left. I want to open the door and see a clutter free room, a clean kitchen sink and counter and see a floor without the large pile of shoes that collects by the door. To me that is the end of a great vacation.
After showing the kids all the treasures we brought home I sat down and thought about why I liked home so much – specifically the living room. I decided it was because it has the 5 decorating elements each room should have. Let’s go over them so you can love your living room too.
5 Decorating Elements Each Room Should Have
Decorating Element Number 1 – Good Seating
I think each room should have ample seating. Not just plenty of seats but comfy and nice looking too. We used to have a dark leather sofa in here and I was so glad to get rid of that awful thing. It was filled with down feather stuffing but the birds must have come and snatched their feathers back because to get out I had to get a rocking start (don’t get an image) plus it gave me a back ache. This new sofa was on clearance and the deal of the century. So hold out until you find exactly what you want and for just the perfect price. It’s worth it!
Decorating Element Number 2 – Lighting
Some homes are older, wiser and don’t have harsh overhead lighting. We certainly need overhead lighting but it isn’t flattering and doesn’t evoke warmth. I believe living rooms should have three lamps in a triangle formation to make a room glow at night. We have one on the sofa table behind us, one across the room between the two chairs and one across on the other side as you walk in. They each bring the perfect amount of light to keep the room bright yet inviting.
Decorating Element Number 3 – Wall Art
I think wall art is so important. When you walk into a room it should have something large to look at on the wall. Not every single wall and not only large pieces. You could have a collage of odd numbered items but that grouping should be large. Does that make sense? Think if you only had small things here and there. It would look sparse, cold and/or dinky. Dinky isn’t a positive conversation. Think outside the box when it comes to art work. It doesn’t have to be a framed oil painting and it doesn’t have to be expensive. I have an old screen door on one wall and a shelf with old windows hanging over the TV. Mirrors are nice. Family photos, baskets, hats are fun too. Anything goes for art work. If you’d like to see other posts that show some of our wall art, click here, and here for ideas.
Decorating Element Number 4 – Accessories
Accessories are a personal matter. Much like wall art. I used to just buy crap to fill up the room. Then I realized I didn’t like half of it and gave it away. Now I only gather items that I want to look at or that serve a purpose. Except books. Not all of my books have been read but they make fantastic accessories. Each table has at least three items on it, including the lamp. Some have five. Accessories is where you can add color. Like pillows on a sofa, or flowers in a vase. Maybe a lantern to hold a candle or the frame that holds a family photo. Each are accessories and nice fillers to blank empty spaces.
Decorating Element Number 5 – Greenery
Plants, whether real or fake, make a space look alive. You’ve heard me say before that I have brown, moldy thumbs so fake greenery is usually how I roll. Obviously the rest of the world has the same thumb disease or there wouldn’t be so many places to find fake plants. Now that my youngest is home for summer, she talked me into a fiddle leaf fig tree (insert rolling eyes). She assures me I can keep it alive if I just do what she says. So far, the list of caring for this small tree is long and I should probably just send it with her when she heads back off to school. Wait a minute, now that I think about it, she probably planned this all along! Grrr. Anyway, place your “greenery” throughout the room. I promise it will make a room seem livelier and fresh.
Well there you have it – 5 decorating elements each room should have plus my two cents on the whole matter. Since the house was pretty clean when we got home, all I need to do now is laundry and dust. Good times, good times. By the way, if you want to chat more often, follow me on Instagram here. That’s where I do a lot of blabbing. 😉
Happy Decorating Friends!
Hi Cindy so happy to see you back. Your trip looked amazing and such pretty places.
I wish you wrote more posts I enjoy them. I’m with you about buying accessories. I used to buy anything I liked and would like for a bit and then not. I only buy what I live and what spaks my style.
I’m much happier and have pieces that work in many places.
Enjoy your day
Cindy
Author
Thank you Cindy. I love hearing that I should write more posts. ❤️ It’s hard getting back into the blogging swing of things. Especially with all three kids home for summer. And you are so right. Your accessories should work in many places! Great tip. 😁
Hi, I am from old school and I think each room should have a touch of red. I really enjoy reading your blog and those shared by others.
Author
I totally get old school Sally. My color for each room is a touch of black. Red is nice too! Thank you for your sweet comment. I truly appreciate them.
This is absolutely spot on. I currently am growing some mean weeds.
Author
Whaaat – Weeds?! You are usually the garden queen! Better get those thumbs to the doctor. 😉
Hey Laura…any relation to the lovely lady who wrote the books?
Author
You can find sweet Laura over at http://www.decortoadore.net !
These are great tips! And your home décor is lovely too!
Author
Thanks bunches Rachel. Some days I feel it looks sparse and some days too cluttered. 🙄. But I think it’s the days no one has put away their shoes.
What a great blog Cindy! These are very important tips.
Author
Thank you Terrie. We all need inviting cozy spaces, right?!
I’m the same way! We also just got back from vacation and we cleaned the house before we left and it was sooooooo nice to be home. No matter how much fun you have on vacation, there’s no comfort like your own house.
Author
When we were young and newly married, I loved staying in a hotel. But now that I have a more comfortable bed and more space, I love home. 😂
Great post, Cindy. Too late on the warning about the rocking visual I had that image soundly planted already, but it is my face in the movie in my head. 🙄 That fiddle leaf looks great. And what a clever way for Addi to add to her jungle. The tip about the triangle of light is my takeaway. Now I’m on the hunt for a nice floor lamp.
Very happy y’all are home. Can’t wait to see the treasures!
Author
I hated that leather sofa and soooo glad it’s gone! Well at least from my daily sight. Ugh. Glad you found something useful from this post! That always makes me smile. Thanks Mommy Dearest. ❤️
Yes i am like you love trips but, love to come back home. Thanks for the decorating elements and for sharing some of your trip on isg.
Author
Thanks Marlene. It’s good to be home. Not to this hot muggy weather but back in my own neck of the woods. 🙂
Welcome home! Glad you came home to a nice, clean home! It is SUCH a good feeling to be back in one’s own bed and bath! 😉 Thanks for sharing these 5 elements of decorating a home!
Author
My pleasure Julie! And yes, I’m sooo glad to be home. 😁
Hi Cindy! Yes I agree with you when I come home and when I wake up in the mornings…I’m reminded how happy I am that this is my home. I agree with your list too. One thing I love to have in moderation is pictures of my people. Not everywhere just a sprinkle here and there. 🙂
Author
Hey Stacey! Yep, family pictures are a great idea. It’s all about what makes us happy. ❤️
I am sorry but I don’t agree with your room lighting advice. I would never build a house with a room without ceiling lights. I have had houses with rooms with no ceiling fixtures and even with 3 or 4 lamps, you never have enough good, strong, bright light to clean, paint, or do other activities in the room like playing cards or decorate.
What I did and what I would always do is put in can lights usually 4 per room (situated a couple feet from the room corners depending on the room) with a dimmer switch and a ceiling fan in the center of the room. With the center of the ceiling fixture, you can make the choice to have a fan, a fan with a light, or a light fixture.
You can have your lighting from bright to elegant & then have your lamps switched on when needed or turn off the ceiling lights and just turn on the lamps you prefer depending on the current activity. The different lights/lighting gives you a range of lighting – from a little to bright.
Thanks for all your other helpful hints.
Donna
Author
Hey Donna, you misunderstood what I was saying. I totally agree that every room should have good lighting. That means either a ceiling fan with a light kit and/or recessed lights as well. I was strictly talking about decor items. Overhead lighting is not flattering which is why I think lamps make the room warm, cozy and inviting. Hope I’ve clarified things. Thanks for commenting too! I always want to hear what y’all are thinking. 🙂 p.s. I also think recessed lighting is the best and prettiest choices for good overhead lighting… I say no to the boob light! Builders should stop adding those things. Hmmm, maybe I should start a campaign… Ban the Boob! LOL
alrighty. thanks for the new info. we are good!