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Are you tired of filling your cart with decor and then putting it all back, buying nothing because you don’t know what you actually need? Are you tired of wasting money buying a bunch of random decor that doesn’t work in your home? Do you wish someone would just give you a list of home decor items and staples you need?
Well, here is the decor staples checklist that everyone can use in their home!
Two Common Decor Shopping Mistakes
There are two very common real-life stories I hear all the time.
In the first story, my friend, “Jenny”, heads to the store. She knows she needs some decorating pieces because she’s been staring at blank walls, shelves, and table tops for months (or even years) on end.
Jenny finally heads to a decor store and starts to wander the aisles. She sees a few things that catch her eye, puts them into her cart, and continues to browse. Before long, Jenny second-guesses herself, realizing she has no idea what she really needs or wants, and puts every single thing back on the shelf! Jenny leaves the store with nothing.
In the second story, “Tina”, decides to go shopping. She, too, has been looking at all the empty spaces in her house for a long time and just wants to fill them with something. As she wanders the stores, she finds a few things she thinks may work because they look like popular decor items she’s seen on Instagram and HGTV. She buys a cart of stuff and takes everything home.
Only once she’s gotten her haul home Tina isn’t happy with any of it. She can’t figure out where to put anything. So she schleps it all back to the store for a refund (or she stashes it somewhere and loses money on it). Regardless, she finds herself back at square one just like Jenny, no closer to a decorated lovely home than before.
In both cases, my friends were shopping without an idea of what they needed. But, because my heart desires to make decorating easier for Jenny and Tina – and for you – this post includes all the decorating steps you need, broken down into easy processes that make sense! So, now you can create a more stylish and organized home you love.
Quick How to Decorate Refresher – As it Relates to Shopping for Decor!
If you’re decorating in the right order, following my 5-Step Decorating Plan, you know the steps are:
- Find Your Unique Style DNA
- Plan Your Space
- Add the Curtains, Rugs, and Lighting
- Decorate the Walls
- Add Accessories
The home decor items on this list fit into steps 3, 4, and 5 and should be selected and bought in this order!
The Home Decor Items List You Need for Your Home
Here are the home decor items you need for just about any room in your home…
1. Curtains and Drapery
If the room you’re decorating needs privacy, add either blinds or draperies that are thick enough for that.
If you don’t need privacy, curtains will add style and layers to the room, which is necessary to soften spaces. Remember to hang curtains high and wide so they don’t crowd the window and the natural light.
2. An Area Rug
You can place area rugs on wood, laminate, or tile floors, even over wall-to-wall broadloom to anchor a space – or hide an ugly or worn floor! That’s what makes area rugs one of the decor staples. Like curtains, they warm up a room and create an inviting atmosphere. They also serve to anchor furniture arrangements.
3. Accent and/or Task Lighting
Every room needs some sort of lighting, and having various types of lighting, such as task lamps for reading or floor lamps to soften the space, is key to creating a designer-looking space. Choose 1-3 options in coordinating styles and finishes. And don’t rely solely on overhead lighting, even if you have a dimmer switch.
4. Artwork
You need at least one artwork or other wall decor such as a gallery wall or mirror. Artwork is such a personal choice. I prefer neutral colors or nature paintings. Maybe you like bright splashes of color. Because it’s so personal, choose what you adore and nothing else.
A nicely framed mirror can suffice if you prefer or can’t find artwork you like. Just remember what the mirror reflects becomes art, so use mirrors judiciously. Also, remember artwork comes after curtains and lighting, so you know exactly how much space you have for art and, therefore, how big your pieces can be.
The last several decor staples all fall under the category of Accessories and fit into the final step in the 5-Step Decorating Plan.
5. Throw Pillows and Throw Blankets
How many throw pillows and blankets you need will depend on your space and how much you like those things. I recommend at least one throw blanket and at least 3 to 5 throw pillows, depending on the amount of seating in your space. Not so many that your guests and family can’t sit down, but enough to add coziness and some softness to the room.
Bonus tip: I always suggest getting feather inserts for your throw pillows because they hold up to wear and tear so much better than their foam counterparts.
6. A Large Basket
You’ll want one or more large baskets for storing things like toys, blankets, workout gear, or anything else in the room that you want to be hidden and contained.
7. A Tray
At least one tray will come in handy – and look pretty – for carrying items like remotes or bedside items or to use as a base for a decorative vignette.
8. A Vase or Pitcher
Get yourself at least one vase or pitcher for flowers.
9. Greenery and Blooms
Having 1 to 3 fresh or faux flower bouquets and plants will bring life (or the perception of it) into any space.
10. Candles
Select one medium or large pretty scented or unscented jar candle and 2 to 5 candlesticks with candles for variety. You can use battery-operated candles or real ones, depending on your preferences.
11. Decorative Objects
No room is complete decor-wise without 1 to 3 decorative objects like figurines, bowls, abstract shapes, bookends, etc. Which ones you choose will depend on your style.
12. Books
And finally, 1 to 3 – or more – pretty books for display or used as risers for other decor accessories.
Shop for the Decor Staples
Since I know I’ll get asked this, here are a few of my favorite staples for decorating with.
Summary
When you’re choosing decor for your home, make sure you follow the 5-Step Decorating Plan, getting the large pieces in place first. And then, when the time is right, shop for and use these decor staples in each room in your home:
- Curtains or drapes for each window
- The right-sized area rug
- A lamp or two
- One large piece of artwork or a mirror
- One or more throw blankets, and 3-5 throw pillows
- One or more large baskets for hiding or corralling necessary items
- One or more trays for corralling items or as a base for a vignette
- At least one vase or pitcher for flowers
- A couple of candles – one jar candle and 2-5 candlesticks with candles
- 1-3 decorative objects
- 1-3 or more pretty books
Would You Rather Watch?
That’s it. That’s the list of home decor items and decor staples everyone needs in their home! Download the handy decor staples checklist to take with you the next time you go shopping!
Once you have an item, check it off. Then you don’t have to shop for it again. Or be confused by all the pretty things that will call your name at your favorite store! Now that’s being more deliberate with your decorating and shopping. 🙂
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Love your emails Shannon.
You are such a blessing!
Wow. Thank you Donna. I really appreciate that.
really great ideas Shannon…thank you!
You’re very welcome. 🙂
This is AWESOME!!! Great post!
I was thinking of you when I was putting it together, Faye!
🙂
Thank you!!!
You’re welcome!
I’m new to your info but am really liking all of the great advice! Thank you!
Oh I’m SO glad!
Love, love, love all these ideas. So simple and stylish. I can do this!
You totally can!!!!
not able to print decor staples checklist
Hi Sharon, You need to click on the image and enter your email address in the pop up. The checklist will then be emailed as an 8.5″ x 11″ PDF automatically!
Love this!
I’m glad!
please email me The Free Decor Staples Checklist. thanks!!
Hi Sharon, You need to follow the directions in the post to get the checklist! 🙂
I love lists…and this one involves shopping. Yippee! Always a pleasure to read your posts, Shannon! Very helpful and just plain fun… Candles from the *gasp* dollar store?! What WILL she say next?
Lol. I love shopping too. I’m so glad you’re enjoying the posts, Heidi!
A very great article. I live on the west coast and have another terrific opportunity to shop. Vintage Markets! I love them and rarely miss one.
*Smiles*
Ooh, sounds fun!
I love this series you have been doing! another great post full of great ideas. Printing off to paste in my little notebook full of measurements and needs that stays in my purse.
Yay! I’m so glad, Peggy!
This is such a wonderful list to have! Thank you! I have enjoyed your decorating tips and find all very useful. I have what I call a yard sale collection and am always trying to make it work. Thanks again for all the wonderful tips and advice and this chart!!
You’re so welcome! You can make it work for sure!
Checked out the list ! Yup got it all ! I love changing decor around using the items in different ways. Love your ideas! Thanks
Well, I just spent my entire coffee time on your site…. I fell in and couldn’t get back out LOL #obsessed
Aw. Thank you so much. That makes me so happy to hear. 🙂
This is a really helpful list! And the photographs are beautiful, too!
I’m so glad it’s useful!
Great décor list and love the pics!!
I love this shopping list idea! It’s great to remember these basic decorative ideas when you are out and about. When something grabs your attention, you should probably grab it!
Yup! It’s a great way to stay on track and not buy things you’re not needing!
Just loved this post, this checklist is a real time saver for anyone.Specially I love the trays checklist,something I never think of before.Really Thanks for writing such a wonderful post.
I’m so happy you found it useful! I find lists really help to clarify things. This way you don’t buy too many of something!
Thank you so much for all your tips you have given us. I’ll be sure to use them when I decorate/purchase items. I love your blog post and look forward to hearing from you. Have a great weekend and look forward to next week’s post.
your blog friend,
jean
Thanks, Jean. I’m so glad you’re finding it all helpful!
hello i have seen all design its really amazing and thanks for sharing all this home decor items
These are all excellent staples Shannon! It’s nice to have it all spelled out in a way that’s so easy to grab on to! 🙂 Thanks for the great tips!
Thanks, Barbara! I’m glad you found it useful!
I love these ideas!! I need this help. I often go shopping during the seasons and then come back with lots of mismatched items or pieces that don’t work for the full year! I have definitely been both a jenny and a Tina, ha! Love the blog, thank you!!
Oh I’m SO happy you found it useful Elle! 🙂
What is your paint chooses for your home? I saw them posted, but can not locate that. Can you help?
Hi there, Cindy. You can find our paint colors here: https://homemadelovely.com/home-paint-colors/
I love looking up interior designer blogs. With Covid-19 happening I have a lot more time unfortunately to do this now. I’m an Abstract Fine Artist – Interior Design and Original art, I believe, have an important relationship with each other. In trying to find the benefits of what we are all experiencing right now and making this time valuable, I decided to shamefully lol try and introduce myself to a few Interior Designers. Perhaps one day we can work together. Stay safe.
Best Regards,
Lori Mirabelli
http://www.lorimirabelli.com
Take care of yourself, Lori!
I would like to decorate my home but have very little space. Thank you for your ideas. I will be looking at finding some decorating space to use.
I couldn’t agree more with all of this!! I used to try and steer clear of faux florals but I embrace them now more than ever! Such a great and maintenance-free solution!
It’s true! They’ve gotten so much more realistic too!
This home decor list blog is a treasure trove of inspiration! 🏠✨ I love how it showcases a diverse range of decor styles and ideas, making it easy to find something that resonates with my personal taste. From modern minimalism to cozy rustic vibes, each suggestion is beautifully presented and offers practical tips for transforming any space.
So glad you like it!