10 Decorating Tips To Steal from Houzz Tours
Borrow from the best and learn how to translate these top tips for sparkling interiors
There’s nothing better than a nose around someone else’s house, particularly if you’re looking to pilfer interiors ideas or reignite your passion for DIY. Many of the tours on Houzz feature superb styling, and there’s certainly something to be gained by taking inspiration from the best. This selection of ogle-worthy images should get your creative juices flowing and help to spark some chic styling statements of your own.
2. Try a tap upgrade
Give a bijou bathroom a helping of hotel luxe with extraordinary brassware. This sit-down shower has been tiled in white metros for a clean look, while brass taps and fixtures bring the wow factor. Striking fish wallpaper and a grey-painted vanity provide contrast to set off the scheme, making a mighty big impression for such a small space.
Give a bijou bathroom a helping of hotel luxe with extraordinary brassware. This sit-down shower has been tiled in white metros for a clean look, while brass taps and fixtures bring the wow factor. Striking fish wallpaper and a grey-painted vanity provide contrast to set off the scheme, making a mighty big impression for such a small space.
3. Go green
There isn’t a room in the house that wouldn’t benefit from the addition of a few plants. Oversized varieties such as figs, monstera and palms are on-trend, as are cacti and succulents. Try popping your plant pot inside a basket to ring a rustic change, or borrow a worn terracotta number from outside for an organic vibe with zero effort.
There isn’t a room in the house that wouldn’t benefit from the addition of a few plants. Oversized varieties such as figs, monstera and palms are on-trend, as are cacti and succulents. Try popping your plant pot inside a basket to ring a rustic change, or borrow a worn terracotta number from outside for an organic vibe with zero effort.
4. Resettle your sofa
In an open-plan space, use the back of a sofa as a natural divider. Here, a console table behind the sofa lends extra emphasis and provides an additional surface for drinks or accessories. Smaller rooms can adapt this styling idea by pulling furniture slightly away from the walls, or placing a seat in front of the window. Although counterintuitive, these techniques will make the space feel larger by allowing furniture to ‘float’, rather than it feeling as if it’s hemming you in.
See this Houzz Tour
In an open-plan space, use the back of a sofa as a natural divider. Here, a console table behind the sofa lends extra emphasis and provides an additional surface for drinks or accessories. Smaller rooms can adapt this styling idea by pulling furniture slightly away from the walls, or placing a seat in front of the window. Although counterintuitive, these techniques will make the space feel larger by allowing furniture to ‘float’, rather than it feeling as if it’s hemming you in.
See this Houzz Tour
5. Beautify with books
If you’re forever buying books, but have them stashed out of sight, put your best collection to good use by displaying en masse. Take a pile of tomes and set out either on top of a coffee table or – if it’s glass – on the shelf underneath. Finish with flowers and watch as guests gravitate to your irresistible reading area.
If you’re forever buying books, but have them stashed out of sight, put your best collection to good use by displaying en masse. Take a pile of tomes and set out either on top of a coffee table or – if it’s glass – on the shelf underneath. Finish with flowers and watch as guests gravitate to your irresistible reading area.
6. Test out a task lamp
If your bedside table is on the dainty side, a large lamp could steal all the space, as well as looking a little imposing. One tip to consider is swapping in a desk lamp instead. Although providing a more targeted area of light, the slim shape and elegant angle will work with most décor. Task lamps are also easier to imagine in situ – avoiding the palaver of sourcing a suitable shade.
See this Houzz Tour
If your bedside table is on the dainty side, a large lamp could steal all the space, as well as looking a little imposing. One tip to consider is swapping in a desk lamp instead. Although providing a more targeted area of light, the slim shape and elegant angle will work with most décor. Task lamps are also easier to imagine in situ – avoiding the palaver of sourcing a suitable shade.
See this Houzz Tour
7. Stay neutral
Keep kids’ bedrooms interesting and easy by choosing a completely neutral backdrop. This bedroom is painted in a subtle shade of pale grey, but the plethora of bright accessories gives the impression of a colourful décor. Tweak with inexpensive additions to cater to their ever-changing tastes without having to redecorate every five minutes.
See more ideas for children’s rooms
Keep kids’ bedrooms interesting and easy by choosing a completely neutral backdrop. This bedroom is painted in a subtle shade of pale grey, but the plethora of bright accessories gives the impression of a colourful décor. Tweak with inexpensive additions to cater to their ever-changing tastes without having to redecorate every five minutes.
See more ideas for children’s rooms
8. Play with pattern
This sumptuous window seat looks extra-inviting thanks to the selection of beautiful fabrics on show. Don’t be afraid to mix and match materials around a similar colour theme and style. Here, New England stripes take the lead, but variations and other patterns work perfectly together thanks to a chosen palette including faded red, blue and stone. Banquettes are useful for extra seating and storage – make sure your joiner includes hinged lids for ease of access.
This sumptuous window seat looks extra-inviting thanks to the selection of beautiful fabrics on show. Don’t be afraid to mix and match materials around a similar colour theme and style. Here, New England stripes take the lead, but variations and other patterns work perfectly together thanks to a chosen palette including faded red, blue and stone. Banquettes are useful for extra seating and storage – make sure your joiner includes hinged lids for ease of access.
9. Set the scene
Put together a small selection of favourite toiletries, a room fragrance and a vase of flowers to create a simple bathroom vignette. The stack of fluffy towels on the shelf reflected here sets the scene for a relaxing pampering session, improving the energy and atmosphere of the space. This quick trick is especially effective if you have guests coming – in fact, they might not want to leave!
See this Houzz Tour
Put together a small selection of favourite toiletries, a room fragrance and a vase of flowers to create a simple bathroom vignette. The stack of fluffy towels on the shelf reflected here sets the scene for a relaxing pampering session, improving the energy and atmosphere of the space. This quick trick is especially effective if you have guests coming – in fact, they might not want to leave!
See this Houzz Tour
10. Switch on to changeable art
Picture shelves have the edge over wall-mounted art for those who are indecisive or crave change regularly. Stylists love things in threes and this trio of shelves is just the trick for added impact. The monochrome art selection imparts a graphic quality that ties in with the black-accented interior, including the geometric Berber rug.
Tell us
Do you have a favourite styling tip? Share it in the Comments below (and we’d love to see your photos, too)
Picture shelves have the edge over wall-mounted art for those who are indecisive or crave change regularly. Stylists love things in threes and this trio of shelves is just the trick for added impact. The monochrome art selection imparts a graphic quality that ties in with the black-accented interior, including the geometric Berber rug.
Tell us
Do you have a favourite styling tip? Share it in the Comments below (and we’d love to see your photos, too)
Your sofa set-up doesn’t have to consist of a matching set. Consider swapping out the obligatory armchair or love seat for a characterful vintage offering, such as this pair of seats. Not only is this arrangement more flexible – allowing for layout changes and chair pilfering – it will also give your living space a dose of designer style. Check out specialist sellers online to get your hands on a piece in perfect condition, or take to second-hand sales to source a bargain beauty yourself.
See this Houzz Tour