Decorated vs Styled - Let’s Talk

Tatum
25 minutes ago
2 min read

Hello Decor Friends,

Let’s talk about one of the most asked questions in home styling. If you’ve ever stood in the middle of your living room, coffee in hand, and thought “Why doesn’t this feel finished?”—you’re not alone.

The question I hear on repeat is this:“How do I make my home feel pulled together instead of just… decorated?”

Good news: this isn’t about buying all new furniture or chasing every trend. It’s about layering with intention and understanding how the pieces in your home talk to each other.

It Starts With a Cohesive Color Story

The most pulled-together homes have one thing in common—they tell a clear story. That doesn’t mean everything matches. In fact, matching is often the fastest way to make a space feel flat. Instead, think coordinated. Choose a color story (3–5 colors is a sweet spot) and repeat those colors throughout the space in different ways—textiles, art, accessories, even books.

Designer Tip

Repetition is what tricks the eye into reading the room as cohesive and calm.

Layering Is Where the Magic Happens

Design enthusiasts know this, but it’s worth repeating: great rooms are layered. Rugs ground furniture. Curtains frame the room. Pillows and throws add softness. Lighting adds mood. When a space feels unfinished, it’s often missing one of these layers.

A quick gut check:

Do you have at least two light sources besides overhead lighting?
Is there something soft in the room (textiles, upholstery) to balance harder surfaces?
Does your furniture feel anchored with a rug?

If the answer is no, that’s your starting point.

Scale and Proportion Matter (A Lot)

This is a sneaky one. You can have beautiful pieces, but if the scale is off, the room won’t feel right. Tiny art on a large wall? Undersized rug floating in the middle of the room? These are common styling hiccups.

When in doubt, go bigger. Larger art, fuller arrangements, and appropriately sized rugs instantly elevate a space and give it that designer confidence.

Edit Ruthlessly (Yes, Even the Cute Stuff)

A pulled-together home isn’t about more—it’s about better. Give your favorite pieces room to breathe. Negative space is not empty; it’s intentional. Editing allows the eye to rest and makes the items you love stand out even more.

Designer Tip

Remove one accessory from every surface and see how the room feels. Often, it feels calmer and more elevated immediately.

The Final Touch: Something Personal

This is the step that takes a room from styled to soulful. Personal objects—books you love, art with meaning, travel finds—are what make a home feel layered and lived in. These details are impossible to replicate and always make a space feel finished.

A pulled-together home isn’t about perfection. It’s about cohesion, layering, scale, and thoughtful editing. Once you start looking at your home through that lens, styling becomes less overwhelming—and a whole lot more fun.And if you’re standing there with your coffee wondering where to begin… start small. One room. One layer. One thoughtful change.