Home Accessorizing for All 4 Seasons

​You probably already know how a simple dress or shirt you've had for years can be instantly transformed -just with the addition of a new belt, bold necklace or scarf. 

Likewise, a plain, neutral couch or chair in your basement can also be brought back to life with a few colorful pillows and a throw perhaps. 

Home accessorizing is also a great and cost effective way to allow your unique style to shine through, when you want to spice or change things up sometimes. Doing things like adding or substituting throw pillows can also help differentiate your furniture piece from your neighbor's down the street - who just happens to have the exact same one.  Oops.

Maybe you're interested in rotating accessories seasonally or for a specific holiday. Here's some year round color ideas of how to do this:

• Winter:  One idea is to play up any neutrals already in the room even more- with warm blues, greys, or tans.  This can be done easily by using a monochromatic color scheme, or different shades of the same color. Tip: Paint sample strips from stores like Lowe's or Home Depot, can guide you in matching colors for this!   You could also add soft complementary accents in colors like  teal, mint green, violets, pinks, etc. to keep it from looking too stark.  Adding more texture (faux fur pillows for instance) will also help add more interest

 

• Spring:  At a time when we're all longing for warm weather again, bring the warmth inside first.  Perhaps this is your time to experiment with a bit more bolder combinations than you had in the cold weather months.  Also, don't shy away from experimenting with texture here as well!  Don't think that it has to be a lot.  Something as simple as switching out  a basket or small vase could be just enough to freshen things up, if that's what you desire.

 

• Summer:  Summer calls for living out loud and bringing the outdoors in!  What are your best ways for doing this? Adding more indoor plants into your space?  Bringing in pops of bright yellows or oranges to really brighten the room (and maybe your mood) ?

 

• Fall:  The same concepts for Summer can be used for the beautiful Fall season, but perhaps in more muted variations, like burnt oranges, golds, etc- you get the idea! 

Regardless of what you choose seasonally (if anything!), adding new accessories don't have to be expensive necessarily. Look for 50% days at your favorite stores and head for the accessories department. (That is usually how I add to my collection!)  Or if you're a clearance shopper, you will likely find deals there too. Maybe even something that you've had your eye on for quite some time.
 
For my personal home decorating needs, as well as for a few of my clients, I have scouted off-price retail stores, such as Home Goods, and TJ Maxx. I have also found some AMAZING finds at thrift stores!  But I've certainly learned to take my patience with me there...more about that in another post :)

I suggest making a very specific list of the things that you need the accessories for, before you head out.  Then, you can buy with confidence, knowing that everything was bought with a purpose.

Have fun with accessories, but beware of collecting TOO much stuff that you don't have the room for OR won't coordinate with your existing decor!  

How have you taken things up a notch with home accessories? Have there been certain rooms that you've enjoyed accessorizing ...more than others?