When You’re ‘Adulting’ but Your Decor Is Not: How To Refine Your Style

Hello again design lovelies! I’ve been thinking hard on some of my most frequently asked questions, and one that I hear time and time again is how do I create a more sophisticated, put-together room that has the ‘I’m a refined adult’ vibe without looking ‘blah’. You’ve probably noticed that I am no stranger to evolving styles – I’m constantly experimenting in our home, tweaking pieces as we go to achieve a polished look while still maintaining an inviting, casual space. I’ve put together some of my favorite pro tips to take your style to the next level while still keeping it fresh and interesting – no boring, beige rooms here! 😉

DITCH THE MINI BLINDS

Window treatments may not seem like the most glamorous purchase, but they are absolutely necessary and set the tone for an entire home. Think of them like the eyebrows and hair of the house – they must work harmoniously with the decor inside or else they will be one BIG distraction.

Rug / Coffee Table / Sofa / Table Lamp / Floor Lamp / Side Table / Shades / Curtains / Curtain Rod / Green Pillow / Mud Cloth Pillow / Tassel Pillow

Get The Look

And cheap mini blinds? Fa-get-about-it! Swapping blinds with a shade, light drapery, or a combination of both will instantly elevate the room and even allow you to cheat taller ceilings and larger windows. I also urge clients to contemplate how much privacy is truly required in a space. If you’re dealing with a common area with windows facing a protected yard, consider taking advantage of the natural light by leaving the windows bare and not weighing the space down with heavy drapery or light blocking shades unnecessarily. Just check out this lovely, light filled space in the home of designer, Lisa Staton:

Sofa / Coffee Table / Sconces / Side Table / Tray / Glass Jug / Grey Pillow / Kilim Pillow / Throw / Console / Rug

Get The Look

In our own home, we have tons of great windows facing a public street so we opted for privacy shades which are usually left open and sheer linen curtains that allow daylight to filter in but still distort the outsider’s view throughout the day. When the sun sets, we can lower the shades for complete nighttime privacy.

Jute Rug / Indigo Rug / Chair / Lamp / Planter / Ladder / Curtains / Curtain Rod / Pouf / Succulent / Wood Branch

Get The Look

SCALE IS EVERYTHING

From furniture, to rugs, to art, to lighting, to accessories – having properly scaled pieces is one of the single most important ways to ensure a room feels like a thoughtfully curated space vs a mishmash of disconnected, underwhelming pieces. The most common mistake I see is undersizing decor, especially artwork and mirrors… these, on the other hand, are perfectly proportioned 👇

TEST PROJECT

Source , Source

In some cases, bigger is truly better and though larger pieces may cost a little extra (unless you follow my framing hack), they make an impressive statement and are well worth the extra bucks.

DEFINE YOUR COLOR PALETTE

I’m not here to tell you that you have to ditch all color for the sake of a mature, sophisticated room, BUT if you’re like me and find beauty in all sorts of colors, try to pare down your favorites and work with a limited palette.

Headboard / Blanket / Poufs / Sconce / Pillow / Nightstand / Rug

Get The Look

Really like pinks, yellows and oranges? Neutralize your main furniture pieces and search for textiles and small accents in that palette – alternatively, if you’ve fallen in love with a large, colorful statement piece, create some balance by keeping the majority of the other large items neutral so the statement pieces have a chance to shine.

Also look for pieces that are muted versions of your favorite color. For example, I love turquoise stone but a little bright teal in decor can go a loooong way so I like to work with dusty shades and lighter variations of the hue.

And if you love the monochrome look, GO FOR IT! It’s always a classic and the key to keeping it interesting is working in a variety of textures – concrete, metals, fur, wicker, wood… you name it!

Sofa / Wood Bowl / Brass Tray / White Ottoman / Cane Pouf / Pillow / Table Lamp / Mirror / Side Table / Macrame Plant Hangers

Get The Look

SIMPLIFY, SIMPLIFY, SIMPLIFY

There is something to be said about collections and the personality they bring to a space. The trick is keeping collected pieces in defined groups instead of scattering them all over the house. Balance this look by clearing out other nick nacks and giving the eyes a place to rest.

If you struggle with over-accessorizing, style the area/shelf/tabletop then step back and remove 1-3 pieces. Grouping collections by color is another great way to create uniformity between objects – like the all white pottery in this refreshing space or the abstract black/white artwork in the apartment below.

Mirror / Pendant / Art / Art / Art / Chandelier / Vase

Get The Look

So there you have it! My expert tips on how to refine and update your decor to match your grown up lifestyle! I’d love to hear how you apply these ideas in your own dwelling. Whether you are a color connoisseur or a master collector – let me know in the comments!

Thanks for stopping by!

– Kelsey –