Styling: The Cherry on Top
Styling is when all the details in your home come together in a visually appealing way. It’s the cherry on top, if you will! It can be a way to express your personality, a way to make others feel welcomed and invited to the space, and a way to make the space feel finished.
We typically start styling areas of the home with the most traffic which includes the entry way, the living room coffee table or bookshelf, and a statement piece of art or gallery wall.
Raleigh Hills Entryway
We love this Lulu and Georgia “Puddle Mirror” that anchors the entry table wall. Coupling the asymmetrical mirror with the off-centered candlesticks creates more visual interest. The basket on the lower shelf creates a stylized AND functional storage moment.
Think about styling with these 3 things in mind:
Start with an object you own or are thinking about purchasing that fits with what you already have in the space. Is it a vase you love? Start with that – pattern or no pattern, color or no color – if you love it, it will work! Here’s a vase we would purchase to start with if you don’t have anything on hand in teal or cream.
Consider varying heights and objects. If you already have a tall vase, what is something shorter that could go next to it? Is it a smaller picture frame, a sculpture you found at a vintage shop, or a piece of art? Pairing items in groups of 2-3 usually works really well for the eye. When in doubt, off-center your objects. I know it seems really intuitive to center everything on a mantel or bookshelf, but your eye will thank you if it’s not centered. Here’s a piece of textured art we love if you are looking for something!
Anchor the objects around a color or colors that fit your space. If your room is neutral, maybe now is the time to bring in a pop of color. If your room has a ton of color, maybe it’s time to bring in more neutral pieces to complete the look. For example, if it’s a gallery wall, pick one color to anchor from and make sure to have another piece or two that have that color in it so it all ties together.
Treehouse Living Room Built-in Bookshelf
We love warming up bookshelves with books and interesting objects that were passed down from family members or found at vintage shops. This is a great example of using objects of varying sizes and heights to add depth. Notice the placement of objects is not even or centered, the eye is engaged AND has moments to rest and enjoy the gorgeous walnut wood.
Treehouse Primary Bedroom Dresser
This is another great example of mixing heights. The fun pattern of the vase is complemented by the smaller frame. Notice how they reflect off the glass cover on the dresser. Find out more on protecting your furniture here! The upholstered chair completes the space by bringing in vintage charm.
Styling can fall flat when you have all of the same frames, all of the same colors, or objects purchased from the same place. You want to create balance. Don’t be afraid to mix and match items that are from different places and walks of life. That’s what makes it unique and your own. Some of our favorite objects are great conversation topics or leave a smile on your face remembering a trip you took. Have fun with it!
Some of our favorite styling pieces to start with?
Here is our favorite marble frame that comes in all sizes, is incredibly well-made, and looks great on display.
We also love scrolling through Minted.com to find art that makes a statement or for filler pieces in a gallery wall!
Looking for more styling tips? Check out our berry box Instagram reels to learn more or message us @tealandscott on Instagram!
Helpful links:
Antiques & Oddities is one of our favorite thrift stores in the Pacific Northwest if you are looking for interesting pieces to style with.
Need help hanging art or an entire gallery wall? Chris from NAILED IT is a wiz in the Portland area.
Affiliate Disclosure: Teal and Wendy hand pick every product they recommend. Some product links are affiliate and may provide a small kickback to T&S at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate they earn from qualifying purchases.
