Layer personality into your space by decorating ottomans, coffee tables, consoles, mantels and more. A blank canvas for self-expression, beautifully styled surfaces can breathe life and soul into a room and turn a house into a home. Here are just a few ways you can make them extra special…
Mantelpieces
Similar to decorating a console table due to their elongated silhouette, mantelpieces are often associated with the center of the home. Come fall and winter, they provide warmth, but they shouldn’t be overlooked during milder months as they present the perfect opportunity for surface styling.
1. Think about texture
Smooth or rough? Polished or weathered? Marble and brass or reclaimed wood? Your choices can really set the tone for a room. Whether going for refined, rustic or somewhere in between, always consider texture.
2. Embrace negative space
As you arrange items, don’t feel like you need to fill the surface entirely. Often just as important as the objects themselves, blank or empty areas allow the décor, books and vases to really stand out.
3. Incorporate a mirror or art
Drawing your eye in and around the room instantly, mirrors and artwork can really complete an arrangement. Providing a reflective element, mirrors brighten and create the illusion of more space, while a painting or photograph injects personality.
Becca’s top tip: “Pick objects that mean something to you or tell a story. From vintage heirlooms to treasured souvenirs, fill your surfaces with character.”
Ottomans
An alternative to the traditional coffee table, ottomans make wonderful double-duty furniture for your home. A table, foot stool and also usually serving as hidden storage, there isn’t much this versatile piece can’t do.
1. Create a base
When it comes to styling, creating a solid surface is key. Layering on a tray allows for a sturdy place to arrange items. Books work just as well, too.
2. Experiment with shape
Contrasting silhouettes can really create a focal point in a room. If you have a rectangular or square ottoman, why not opt for a circular tray, or vice versa? The combination of sharp and rounded edges adds interest.
3. Introduce natural touches
Blur the boundaries between indoors and out with vases filled with seasonal flowers and greenery. A wooden board or bowl is also a lovely addition and can add warmth to all-white or light interiors.
Vanities
Prioritize self-care and welcome wellness by starting and ending your day in the best way. From pampering pieces to creating a calming space, let morning and evening rituals become something you look forward to.
1. Keep it simple
Organization is key when it comes to vanity styling. Ensure the area is clutter-free and thoughtfully curated, so everything is exactly where you need it. Less is more as they say…
2. Make storage stylish
Tidy skincare, make-up and bathing products into beautiful boxes, baskets and vessels to create an effortlessly elegant display. Separating them into AM and PM routines works wonders if you’re often short on time during the day.
3. Elevate the essentials
Treat yourself to luxurious accessories that enhance your space. From handmade soaps and nourishing gels to soothing bath oils, upgrading the basics will lend your surface a five-star, spa feel.
Kitchen shelves
From floating designs to countertop-to-ceiling built-ins, look to kitchen shelves as not just storage, but an opportunity to create a stylish feature.
1. Tell a colour story
A form of self-expression and another way to add character to your kitchen, experiment with palettes to style a collection that doubles as art. From creating a harmonious, tonal display of neutrals to bolder monochrome pops, it will transform your walls.
2. Play with height & scale
If you’re styling longer shelves, arrange items in groupings, rather than just spreading them out in a line. Layer books with smaller sculptural pieces and pair ornaments in varying heights together.
Becca’s top tip: “A triangle format works best. Start with taller accents, like vases and lamps. Place them at either end, or in the center, and stagnate the heights to create a full or half pyramid.”
3. Use cookbooks as décor
Stack them horizontally and vertically to create a balanced look. Practical, yet pleasing on the eye, be strategic about placement and let them shine in their own right. Plus, other culinary must-haves, such as copper pans, work beautifully, too.
