Six Styling Tips to Elevate Your Space
For me, the best part about moving new furniture into our new home is playing around with styling it. An empty surface is like a blank canvas for creative styling and I love layering in different details that make the piece feel like it’s been there all along! The way you style a piece is one of the most important ways to give your home a sense of SOUL — that feeling that people can’t quite put their finger on that makes them feel so calm and comfortable in your home.
Starting with a blank slate can be daunting, so I’ve outlined the six styling tips that I’ve learned along the way with the help of our Arhaus designer that I fall back on when trying to create an effortless, “been there all along” kind of vibe. Here’s how I used these tips to style our gorgeous Arhaus Finnley dresser in the primary bedroom:
Anchor with Height — This is the quickest, most impactful way to ground your space and anchor the piece in the room. Especially when styling a long surface like a dresser (or a shelf, mantle, etc.), adding height and visual weight to the wall above the surface helps to visually balance the proportions. I used my all-time favorite Arhaus Amelie mirror, which is not only functional, but also makes the space feel bigger. (Yes, I have the full-length Amelie in my office and YES, I needed another for the bedroom!!) You could also use a large piece of art or multiple smaller pieces of art for the same effect.
Use Layers to Add Dimension — I think this is the most under-utilized styling trick, so LISTEN UP. You could be finished after hanging a mirror or piece of art. Many people stop here. OR… you could layer in different pieces and add so. much. more. interest!!! You don’t even need tools to hang, just lean and layer!! Leaning photos, stacking books and intentionally placing accents are great ways to add dimension. Plus, they are easy to swap out when you want a seasonal refresh, or if you find new pieces to add to your collection!
Play with Contrast — Another key design element is contrast. Playing with contrasting textures, sizes, shapes, colors and composition all add visual interest. There are pockets of contrast throughout this whole dresser vignette: the sleek, simple lines of the frames against the dark, intricate wood of the mirror; the matte black lamp base against the light rattan shade; the addition of natural and organic textures all laid on the smooth white marble top of the Finnley dresser. There’s even contrast of old and new, by layering old photos and frames in with newer pieces. The larger photo is vintage from Dial M for Modern in an antique frame from Paris, and the smaller is a more modern white frame with my favorite photo of my Bubby when she was young.
Add Movement — Maybe this one is a stretch, but I always like to have some sort of organic ‘movement’ when I’m styling. For example, to me, a mirror implies movement because of the way it bends and reflects the light and space around it. I also often drape beads, like these onyx beads from Arhaus, to suggest organic movement. I always try to incorporate a candle into a styled space, because even when it’s not lit, the implication of a flickering flame brings movement and light to the space. For me, the idea of “movement” is really just any way to evoke a sense of LIFE in a space, which goes hand in hand with our next tip…
Accent with Nature — this is my favorite way to breathe life into a space when styling. Particularly when you’re a neutral color palette girl like me, natural green accents like plants are a great way to get a pop of color. But don’t limit yourself to house plants! I’ve been known to forage rocks, driftwood, pinecones, seashells… you name it! If it’s something you think is beautiful, it’s worth displaying in your home. And if you go the foraging route like me, not only is it free (!!) , but you also have a memory from sourcing the elements.
Curate don’t Decorate — if you takeaway anything from this styling list, let it be this final tip: your space is your space. Let styling it be fun and meaningful by curating elements that are important to you. To me, “decorating” happens quickly — simply filling a space with things that look good together. (And this is great too, if that’s your vibe!) For me, curating my space happens over time, as I collect pieces and memories that are meaningful to me and display them in a way that adds a sense of soul to my space. It’s ever-evolving, never perfect, but always interesting. (Like life!)
Happy styling!
xx Ali