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Home Decor Buying Guide & Decorating Ideas
The possibilities for transforming your living spaces with home decor accessories are endless. And a beautifully styled home isn't just nice to look at - the perfect decorations and accessories can also help you establish the right mood in every room. That's why ensuring you're buying only what makes sense in your home is paramount.
In our handy home decor guide, we explore the different types of home decor items and how to use them to best effect in every room in your home. Along with styling tips, tricks and ideas, we'll help you choose the best home decor style and accessories.
Quick Links:
- Find Your Home Decor Style
- Soft Furnishings: Cushions & Throws
- Decorating With Plants, Flowers & Vases
- Centrepieces & Decorative Accents
- Wall Art, Lighting & Decorative Ornaments
- Creating Atmosphere With Home Fragrance
- Home Decor Styling & Buying Tips
Find Your Home Decor Style
Finding your perfect home decor style is all about creating a space that feels uniquely you. After all, your home should reflect your personality, lifestyle and the way you love to live.
Timeless Classic Style
If you love a home that feels effortlessly beautiful year after year, a timeless classic style could be your perfect match! This look blends elegance, comfort and sophistication to create a space that feels warm, welcoming and polished without chasing every new trend. Think quality pieces, classic colours and refined details that create a home with lasting style and a cosy, lived-in feel that never goes out of fashion.
Key Characteristics
- Neutral and soft colour palettes
- Elegant furnishings and décor
- Symmetrical styling
- Layered textures for warmth and comfort
- A balance between practicality and sophistication
Hamptons & Coastal Living
If you're dreaming of that fresh, breezy seaside vibe, Hamptons & Coastal Living style is for you. Inspired by luxurious beachside homes, this home decor style creates a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere with a focus on comfort, elegance, and effortless charm. It's stayed super popular because it blends refined details with casual living, making it especially perfect for Australian homes where indoor-outdoor living is a major vibe.
Key Characteristics
- Bright and airy spaces
- Coastal-inspired colour schemes
- Layered textures
Warm Contemporary Style
If you want a clean and sleek modern design but still want your home to feel cosy and inviting, go for a warm contemporary style. This look takes the simplicity of contemporary interiors and softens it with comforting textures, natural materials and welcoming colour palettes. It creates a space that feels stylish and fresh while still being warm, relaxed and lived-in, making it perfect for homeowners who want modern elegance without losing that homely feeling.
Key Characteristics
- Textural layering
- Practical décor choices
- Sophisticated simplicity
Eclectic Style
Should you want a home decor that feels totally unique and full of personality, lean towards an eclectic style. This look is all about expressing yourself through thoughtfully chosen pieces that tell your story. Instead of following strict decorating rules, eclectic interiors mix colours, textures, patterns and décor styles to create a space that feels collected, creative and personal. The secret is finding the right balance, so your home feels intentional and beautifully styled rather than busy or cluttered.
Key Characteristics
- A curated mix of old and new pieces
- Layered colours, textures and patterns
- Statement artwork and accessories
- Blending different materials and finishes
Soft Furnishings: Cushions & Throws
Cushions and throws are one of the quickest ways to establish an interior decor theme in your home. They add comfort and cosiness to a range of spaces like living areas and bedrooms and can be used to create a colour palette that sets the tone for the rest of your decorating endeavours.
Decorative Cushions & Chair Pads
Decorative cushions are a great addition to couches and beds, and come in a huge variety of materials, shapes, sizes, colours and textures to suit just about any home decor style. Chair pads are also a great way to add extra colour, comfort and texture to your dining room.
Introduce a touch of luxury to your spaces with faux fur cushions or piped velvet cushions, or elevate a boho or shabby chic theme with tufted cushions and waffle cushions. Explore our couch cushion styling ideas to learn more about how to arrange cushions on your sofa for maximum home decorating impact.
Throws & Throw Blankets
Throws are an incredibly tactile way to update your home interior. Combined with plush cushions, a soft throw blanket can add the perfect finishing touch to your bed or sofa. Explore soft faux fur throws to indulge your sense of luxury and comfort, or opt for a simple cotton throw for a soft organic accent. Choose richly coloured throws to create a focal point in your room, or go for neutral tones to create a gently harmonious look.
Decorating With Plants, Flowers & Vases
Add a touch of nature to your home with artificial plants, indoor plants or your favourite blossoms arranged in a beautiful vase. Whether you opt for fresh plants or faux plants, the variety of colours, shapes and textures in leaves and flowers can make a striking style statement in your home. Floral decor & vases are the perfect way to bring the outdoors in and invite a soothing natural accent to just about any space in your home.
Artificial Plants, Leaves & Flowers
Elevate your home interior with a splash of greenery using a selection of artificial plants & leaves. Faux plants, artificial flowers and potted floral decor are a wonderfully low-maintenance way to add a natural element to your styling efforts - with the huge advantage that there's no need for watering, fertilising or repotting. Ideal for those who lack a green thumb, faux plants and flowers can instantly refresh bedrooms, living spaces, dining areas or even bathrooms.
Plant Pots, Stands & Vases
Planter stands, planter pots and vases are not just for containing your chosen plants and flowers, they can also make a unique style statement on their own. Neutrally toned ceramic, earthenware and terracotta planter pots are perfect for just about any home decor style, while wicker or rattan plant pots & stands are ideal for adding an extra layer of texture to bohemian decorating themes. Make sure you choose plant pots with drainage holes if you're planning on using them with fresh plants.
Styling Tips For Plants, Flowers & Vases
While most plants and flowers look fabulous irrespective of your decor style, try matching your greenery to your chosen decorating theme. Here are a few ways you can create a cohesive decor update that aligns with your chosen home interior style:
- Faux orchids can add an elegant and luxurious accent to your home interior - with minimal maintenance required!
- Use fresh or faux roses to add a classic accent to French farmhouse themes. Combine with a clear glass vase for an instantly timeless aesthetic.
- Try pairing the muted tones of eucalyptus or grassy fronds for boho-luxe or shabby chic styles.
- Create a maximalist tropical theme by combining monstera or dieffenbachia plants with brightly coloured pots and accessories.
- Choose planter stands and pots that fit with your chosen colour palette, materials palette or decorating theme - think woven wicker stands for boho and shabby chic styles, or simple wooden planter pots for Scandi chic or mid-century modern.
Centrepieces & Decorative Accents
The right centrepiece or accent can totally transform a room and bring your whole space together. In this section, we'll dive into why every room benefits from having a standout feature piece, plus share gorgeous styling ideas for your dining table and coffee table!
Why Every Room Needs A Centrepiece
Every room deserves a centrepiece because it adds personality, style and that little 'wow factor' that makes your space feel complete. A well-chosen feature piece helps create visual balance by bringing different elements of the room together, whether it's a vase, artwork, lamp or decorative bowl. It also creates a focal point, naturally drawing attention and giving your eyes a place to land. The trick is choosing something that complements your decor without overwhelming the space.
Dining Table Centrepiece Ideas
Decorative Bowls
Decorative bowls are such an easy way to create a gorgeous dining table centrepiece because they add height, texture and a stylish focal point without taking up too much space. They're ultra-versatile too, since you can fill them with fresh fruit, greenery, candles, or leave them empty for a minimalist look.
Faux Floral Arrangements
Faux floral arrangements are a dreamy choice for a dining table centrepiece because they bring colour, texture and that fresh floral look without the maintenance of real flowers. They'll stay beautiful all year round, making them a stylish and practical décor piece. Try styling a faux floral arrangement in a statement vase on your dining table, then pair it with neutral linen napkins and candles with soft lighting for an elegant, welcoming setup that feels effortlessly put together.
Candles
Candles are a gorgeous way to create a dining table centrepiece because they instantly add warmth, ambience and a touch of elegance to your space. Whether you're hosting a dinner party or enjoying a cosy meal at home, candlelight helps create that inviting atmosphere. Try styling a mix of pillar candles and candle holders along the centre of your table with a linen runner, greenery and neutral tableware for a chic, restaurant-inspired look that feels effortlessly cosy.
Ceramic Vases
Ceramic vases are a stylish choice for creating a dining table centrepiece because they add texture, shape, and a beautiful decorative touch to your space. With endless colours, finishes and designs available, they can easily match any home decor style while making your table feel more polished. Try styling a neutral ceramic vase filled with faux greenery or fresh flowers, then pair it with a woven runner and simple tableware for an elegant, effortless look that feels incredibly inviting.
Coffee Table Styling Ideas
Always Follow The Rule Of Three
The rule of three is one of those little tricks that interior designers love because it makes a space feel instantly more balanced and put together. It's a styling principle that suggests grouping decor items in sets of three to create a display that feels visually interesting, harmonious and effortless. Think three vases in different heights, three candles together or a trio of decorative pieces on a shelf for that perfectly styled vibe.
How To Style Your Coffee Table
Try grouping three different pieces together to add height, texture and personality without making your table feel cluttered. For example, pair a stack of coffee table books with a ceramic bowl and a sculptural decor piece. Mixing different shapes and heights is the secret to creating that perfectly styled coffee table vibe!
Wall Art, Lighting & Decorative Ornaments
Lamps & Lighting
Lighting is an integral part of your home decor, and the right lighting solutions can create ambience and aura to tie together your decorating efforts. Table and floor lamps are great design accessories for lending visual appeal and reducing harsh shadows. Harris Scarfe offers a wide variety of lighting & lamps, in styles ranging from traditional to contemporary. You can also control the warmth or coolness of the light itself with different types of light globes, so keep this in mind when considering the mood you want to create in different spaces.
Wall Art
Wall art is a great way to fill blank walls while creating an instant style statement in your home. Abstract or geometric wall art makes a great addition to modern interior decor styles, while landscapes suit more classic decor themes. Choose colours and textures that complement your existing colour palettes for a truly coordinated style update. Many pieces of wall art come already framed, so keep the colour and material of the frame in mind when picking the right wall art for your space.
Photo Frames
For a more personal touch, you can create your image gallery with a selection of photo frames. You can add family pictures, your own artistic photographs, collages and drawings or even your kids' artworks to your chosen frames. Choose to display your framed images on sideboards, console tables or mantelpieces, or hang them on your walls in a stylish gallery arrangement. As with your wall art, opt for frame materials that will complement your photos, artworks or chosen decor style. Slimline metallic photo frames can help to create a modern, industrial feel, while timber-toned frames will reinforce organic or rustic decor themes.
Wall Clocks
Clocks are a classic (and dare we say, timeless!) decor accessory, available today in design options ranging from vintage and retro to ultra-modern. Whether displayed on walls or as bedside table decor, clocks are versatile home decor items that suit multiple interior styles.
Ornaments & Decorative Bowls
Think of ornaments as the finishing touches to your decorating efforts. Statuettes, sculptures, trinket boxes, faux fruit and decorative bowls can all add personality to your spaces by tying together an interior decorating theme. Odd numbers of decor items can create balance, and remember to alternate heights to create visual interest.
Scents, fragrances and mood lighting can add an extra sensory element to your decorating efforts. Home fragrance products can also add an ornamental touch to decor displays - think elegant glass reed diffusers and colourful, decorative jar candles.
Candles & Candle Holders
If there is one thing that works as an instant pick-me-up in any home, it's a candle. Candles are ideal for creating a cosy and intimate atmosphere at home - just think of the warming glow of candlelight and the mood it can create. Choose scented candles to add a refreshing or uplifting fragrance, and combine them with candle holders, votive holders and lanterns to complete your styling efforts.
Essential Oils & Reed Diffusers
Reed diffusers and essential oil diffusers are another way you can add fragrance to your home. Many essential oils have therapeutic benefits as well, such as lavender for restful sleep or cedarwood for relaxation. Ultrasonic diffusers can create a unique style statement, and sometimes even include lighting elements for a multisensory experience.
Home Decor Styling & Buying Tips
Create a focal point
The best home decor is one that draws the eye in. That's why a good starting point is investing in one big-impact item in a room. This could be a tapestry, a painting, a floral arrangement, a vase, a rug, a throw pillow, or lamps - essentially anything that suits your style. Use this focal point to dictate your room's theme, style and mood.
Use alternate heights
A great home decor idea is to shop for pieces with varying heights to make your spaces visually appealing. For instance, if you're buying frames, alternate between short, medium and tall ones. Also, consider purchasing products with a diverse colour palette, as this will automatically lend a refreshing look and feel to your space.
Consider your senses
Home decor is not just about objects and their placement - it's about creating the right mood in every space in your home. Lighting and scented products like diffusers can help establish a particular atmosphere, while tactile accents like plush cushions or fluffy throws are a delight to snuggle into. Think about how you can engage all your senses to create the perfect ambience in your home.
Home Decor Buying Tips
- Buy only what you love: Only invest in pieces that get you excited. It pays to hold off until you can find a piece you wholeheartedly love and are excited to include in your home, as this is something you'll cherish for years from now. That's why a good rule of thumb is to not put a deadline on your home decorating plans.
- Look around your home: So often, we get caught up in trying to buy new decor items that we've missed an opportunity to rework old and forgotten items around the home that could do with a bit of spruce-up. Before shopping, look around your home to see what you can reuse and repurpose. It's also a more sustainable way to live.
- Measure before you buy: If the product purchased is too long, short or doesn't fit your space, it will unnecessarily cost you. That's why measuring the area or room you have to play with is essential. Note your measurements on paper before you head to the shops or purchase online. This will save you the headache of returns and repurchases, helping you get it right the first time and every time.
Discover The Perfect Home Decor Items For Every Style At Harris Scarfe
With a few key decorative items like wall art or cushions, you'd be amazed at the styling transformations you can make to your home. Harris Scarfe has all your decorating needs covered with a huge range of home decor products to suit modern interiors and classic interiors alike.
Visit us online or in-store and head over to our Home Hub for more helpful ideas and inspiration so you can get creative with your home decor! Some great articles you'll love include:
