But first, Rugs.
Rugs will always be the part of the room that ties it altogether. That’s why it’s so important to pick one first, before you start designing the rest of your space. Personally, I love a dark and moody rug with a beautiful pattern, but can always appreciate a light, clean and modern aesthetic. There are so many rugs to choose from and it can be difficult to know how to pick one, so here are a few good rules to follow…
Rugs will always be the part of the room that ties it altogether. That’s why it’s so important to pick one first, before you start designing the rest of your space. Personally, I love a dark and moody rug with a beautiful pattern, but can always appreciate a light, clean and modern aesthetic. There are so many rugs to choose from and it can be difficult to know how to pick one, so here are a few good rules to follow…
Choose a rug that reflects your personality.
It’s important that the style of your space makes you feel comfortable and calm, like you’re right at home. For example, I wish I could be a girly with a modern and clean aesthetic, but I know that I’ll feel more romantic and cozy when I lean into darker colors and fun vintage pieces. Also, I’d be a nervous wreck if I had an all-white home, far too much cleaning.
Pick a rug in color/s and complimentary color/s that you love.
I love a deep, dark blue, rust and brown colors and chose a rug that allowed me to pick out pieces that match those colors. For example, our accent chair is a velvety dark blue and our throw pillows are a mix of rust, blue, brown and golden colors. And when lots of green gets added for the Christmas season, it compliments the rust, brown and golden colors wonderfully.
Make sure to measure your space to know what size rug to buy.
I prefer buying a large enough rug that can run underneath the furniture in the room, whether a bedroom or living space. Even if the rug only tucks under the couch by a few inches, it’ll make your room appear more seamless and clean.
Here’s a variety of beautiful and inexpensive rugs that will help you find just the right one…
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This is the brand of rug that we have all over our home. It’s a little bit more expensive, but it’s still a wonderful price for a rug that’s worth keeping. This particular line has a lot of beautiful dark colors and patterned options.
This rug comes in so many different colors, sizes, and patterns. You’re sure to find a rug you love at a price you’ll love even more.
To elevate a hallway or floorspace in the kitchen, these pattern runners are sure to keep your eyes and your feet happy.
If it’s not obvious yet, I love a vintage patterned rug and this particular line is great if you love earthy and warm colors.
For a more simple rug in a cozier pile, this one is a great price and a fan favorite on Amazon.
The most beautiful and durable rug that is the perfect addition to any outdoor living/dining space.
For a more modern spin on a high pile rug, this fluffy gem is sure to make a simple space feel cozy and fun.
Another affordable and beautiful rug if you’re looking for high pile with a more simple pattern.
A current, checkered trend that would be so fun in a nursery or playroom. Plus, it’s very soft and cozy.
Accent of a Chair
There are so many spaces and places and opportunities for accent chairs. And in all my time spent looking and thinking and residing in different places, I've concluded that there really is something special about the right accent chair and the way it completes a space. I would even go so far as to say that it's the piece that gives your living room a sense of joy and personality (besides your artwork and knick knacks of course). Below are two simple tips that can help you pick out the exact right chair for you.
There are so many spaces and places and opportunities for accent chairs. And in all my time spent looking and thinking and residing in different places, I've concluded that there really is something special about the right accent chair and the way it completes a space. I would even go so far as to say it's the piece that gives your living room a sense of joy and personality (besides your artwork and knick knacks of course). Below are two simple tips that can help you pick out the exact right chair for you.
Match the color of the chair to a color in your living room rug pattern.
This is really helpful when you're not sure what color or pattern best fits your room. And if your rug doesn't have fun colors, you can look up it's complimentary colors here. Just select the color of your rug on the color wheel, choose the kind of palette harmony you prefer and you can download your new color scheme.
Let it be unique.
Let's face it - it's not really an accent chair if it doesn't stand out. If you're not into a bold color, go with a vintage design or fun pattern. Here are a few of my personal favorite accent chair suggestions to give you a running start...
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For a moody study or classic living room, this chair achieves all your library dreams for an astonishing low price.
I love a simple pattern and this chair adds vintage beauty to any classic-style home.
A cozy, modern chair with soft lines that is sure to elevate your living room. Also comes in classic white.
I know it’s hard to believe but the color orange is one of my favorites for an accent chair, especially if your wall is any shade of green.
I absolutely love the details on this chair, especially the lining on the edges. It also comes in a dark base fabric with a light floral pattern that is sure to impress.
I cannot rave enough about the amount of amazing color options for this chair! I love when an accent chair looks like a work of art, but is still the most cozy and affordable option.
Vases You’ll Love
Beautiful handmade vases tend to be difficult to find for a low price and the year before our wedding, I was constantly scouring the internet for the exact right ones to add to our registry. Now I’m not sure why, but there’s nothing more satisfying than lovely ceramics or glasswork vases donning the shelves and tabletops of your home. I just love their simple and sculptural beauty and that they can hold any flower or foliage of the changing seasons.
Beautiful handmade vases tend to be difficult to find for a low price and the year before our wedding, I was constantly scouring the internet for the exact right ones to add to our registry. Now I’m not sure why, but there’s nothing more satisfying than lovely ceramics or glasswork vases donning the shelves and tabletops of your home. I just love their simple and sculptural beauty and that they can hold any flower or foliage of the changing seasons.
Below are a list of the must-haves for your vase collection at home. Some are even beautiful enough to place on your shelves as decoration on their own. I’ve also included an inexpensive set of mini glass vases for the person who loves to host a well-decorated dinner or garden party, and they can also be used to elevate all of the different tablescapes at a wedding.
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These ceramic jugs are sure to elevate any shelf in your home. They are just the right size and price.
These little gems are the perfect addition to your tablescape for any kind of party. I just love how many varieties of glass designs come in one big collection at a shocking low price.
I am a sucker for a classic double handle ceramic vase and this one is just the right amount of rustic. It comes in a darke terra cotta as well as a light and clean white.
For a more modern aesthetic, this vase looks good with or without flowers and I just love that you get two for the price of one!
This ceramic beauty is the giant vase of my dreams! I love it’s subtle, horizontal ribbing and that it looks like it’s been in your family for ages. I recommend placing this guy on your entryway table with some dramatic greenery.
This classic vase was my top-requested home decor item on our wedding registry. It’s a staple that never leaves my dining room table and comes in four different sizes. I prefer the medium and large.
The Practical Couch
Let’s face it - the couch is one of the most important pieces in our living room, if not the most important. Not only does it need to be durable from constant wear and tear, but it needs to be pretty as one the largest items in our home. It’s also one of the most difficult things to shop for, whether in-person or online, because it’s usually the most expensive purchase we make for our living rooms. And I know well the stress of purchasing a high priced item at sight unseen.
Let’s face it - the couch is one of the most important pieces in our living room, if not the most important. Not only does it need to be durable from constant wear and tear, but it needs to be pretty as one the largest items in our home. It’s also one of the most difficult things to shop for, whether in-person or online, because it’s usually the most expensive purchase we make for our living rooms. And I know well the stress of purchasing a high priced item at sight unseen.
There are many different ways to approach choosing a couch, but my personal favorite is picking one that is practical. I like a sturdy, simple and modern couch in a neutral color that can chameleon to different decor styles as your preferences change over time. I also like the ability to easily wash the cushion covers. And if you want to add personality to your living space, pick a fun accent chair, artwork and/or knick-knacks because those are easier to update, buy and sell. If you want some fun ideas for accent chairs, you can find some here.
Below are a few of my favorite modern and simple-style couches that have stood the test of time. Oh, and did I mention that their prices are jaw-dropping? Like you wouldn’t believe. I’ve bought used couches at higher prices…
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If you are looking for the best couch for a small space, this couch is for you. It’s modern, simple, beautiful and set at the most amazing price.
If you’re looking for a larger couch, this one comes in 15 different colors and is simple, but slightly elevated in it’s use of a beautiful velvet material.
A modern, but timelessly styled couch in a fun and popular boucle material. This couch instantly makes me happier every time I look at it and is sure to impress your guests.
This is truly the couch of my living room dreams! It’s priced higher, but for a good reason because it’s so comfy and versatile. This will be a couch that you’ll love for a very long time.
If you love midcentury or a moody study, this is the perfect couch for you! It’s handsome, simple, never goes out of style and sold at a lovely price.