Really easy ways to style your home

That look like you’ve many lots of effort

I’m trying to get things ticked off my list – and, as you may have gathered, I love a list. This time of year calls for multiple. Probably like many of you, there’s the business of tying up loose ends for work to deal with before the big OOO switch on, gift shopping, food shopping, card sending (not to mention a mere FIVE birthdays in the midst!), all other manner of festive franticness (why do we do this to ourselves?) and house admin – because foolishly or not so foolishly, we moved house in January so lots of renewals land right about this time too. How very merry. I jest, I do love Christmas.

But the last thing I (or you if we share the boat) need to be doing is spending an age sorting out the house for the arrival of guests and general merriment. That’s why I am all for really easy ways to style your home that look like you have made lots of effort. A little interiors trickery if you will.

In my experience, the smaller touches really do go a long way in elevating a room and creating a nice ambience for you, as well as for anyone popping by (or staying longer). Of course, you don’t need to tell them that your lovely set up took less than five or 10 minutes to sort out – let’s keep that between us.

Cliche, maybe, but there’s real styling power in the good old cushion. Like a magpie to silver, there’s a certain draw of the cushion department in any interiors shop. I was joking with a friend just last week about sneaking a new cushion purchase into the house. ‘What, this thing? Had it for ages’. Add a new statement design to the sofa, an armchair or atop a guest bed and voila, an update to your look. My latest addition is this No Riff Raff design. You can’t go wrong with a striped design like this one I spotted when

Kate Watson-Smyth

shared it, or what about a nice one-colour option to add a new hue, perhaps in a different shape to ones you already have?

First impressions count so set the scene right from the doorstep with a doormat – practical and a way to hint at the interior style that lies within. Go as seasonal (or tongue in cheek) as you like and give the postie (as well as guests) something to smile about. Ruggable’s concept for an interchangeable washable doormat on a base is very clever indeed.

Candles are possibly the easiest of easy updates and work in pretty much all rooms of the house. Elevate their effect by actually lighting them (yes even the expensive ones – no saving for best, enjoy them!). There’s nothing more inviting than the glimmer of a lovely candle and it really does suggest that you’ve made effort to consider the smallest details. This one smells so good.

I’m not one for seasonal bedding, sorry. A nice freshly washed linen or cotton duvet cover will do the trick to create a welcoming setup for anyone staying over. Layer the bed with a throw and provide plenty of pillows (at least two) and cushions (see above), while a stack of towels is a nice touch, too. If you really want to go all hotel vibes, a tray of mini essentials like shower gel and toothpaste take it one step further. I’d forego the Teasmaid though. You probably want the guests to leave the room and socialise with you, no?

I may be bordering on obsession with dried foliage. Not only a lovely gift, a bouquet is an affordable and stylish way to add a new colourful display to a living space or bedroom. If you’d rather a living thing, plants will always add a nice touch to a room. I have many of those too and like to move them around periodically to refresh the look of a space – just don’t do this with sensitive varieties like Fiddle Leaf Figs or similar.

What do you reckon? Any other easy ways to style your home to add to my list? Let me know in the comments below.

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