Home Decor Buying Guide & Decorating Ideas

The possibilities for transforming your living spaces with home decor accessories are endless. A beautifully styled home is not just nice to look at - the perfect decorations and accessories can also help you establish the right mood in every room. That's why ensuring you're buying only what makes sense in your home is paramount.

At Harris Scarfe, we understand that quality home decor items are essential to realising your creative vision for your home interior. In our handy home decor guide we explore the different types of home decor items and how to use them to best effect in every room in your home. Along with styling tips, tricks and ideas, we'll help you choose the best home decor style and accessories - without breaking the bank!

Quick Links

• Home Decor Styles
• Cosy Comfort: Cushions & Throws
• Faux Plants, Flowers & Vases
• Wall Art & Photo Frames
• Lighting, Clocks & Decorative Ornaments
• Set The Mood With Home Fragrances
• Home Decor Styling & Buying Tips

Home Decor Styles

Looking to update your home but don't know where to start? The best home decor is the one that represents you and the aesthetics you favour. From Scandinavian, French provincial, and Hamptons to Mid-Century Modern, there are several interior decor styles to pick and choose from. We decode some of the most popular ones to help you make the right decisions for your space.

Simple Scandinavian

Simple yet warm - the Scandinavian decor aesthetic is loosely based on the Danish concept of hygge - which means cosy. The decor style embraces living with simplicity, illustrated in functional furniture with natural materials, traditional craftsmanship and minimalistic style. If you wish to lend colour, use art, natural fibre throws, furs or single furniture pieces.

Warm & Homely French Country

When you think of French Country, warm, earthy colours instantly come to mind, along with decorative wooden finishing. Think of a farmhouse aesthetic - with warm tones of red, brown, yellow, gold and natural materials like stone and brick. In terms of home decor ideas, ornate porcelain dishes, heavy linens, and bed coverings are all acceptable. If you're seeking more inspiration around this interior decor style you can explore some great styling tips in our modern country charm article.

Elevated Hamptons Style

The Hamptons style is synonymous with coastal decor, an aesthetic known for airy, fresh palettes and natural textures. In terms of colours, white and blue rule the roost. Think nautical-themed home decor accessories, timber floorboards, cross ventilation and white cabinetry. The intention often is a relaxed environment inspired by the beach or ocean. Explore our modern coastal oasis article for some great styling tips for creating a soothing Hamptons-style home interior.

Boho Luxe

An updated take on the bohemian styling trend, boho luxe is all about bold, earthy colours and richly textured textiles. It's warm and inviting while still integrating luxurious and elegant styling elements. Boho luxe is all about using natural materials like rattan and timber to bring a sense of cosiness and organic beauty to your home. Find out more about the boho luxe look in our informative Home Hub article!

"Shabby Chic" - Full of Character!

This vintage-inspired style feels feminine, soft and delicate. Colour palettes include rich earthy tones like terracotta and olive greens with lightweight light fixtures and ornate wall hangings. Shabby chic combines elements of warmth and texture to create a welcoming and character-filled space.

Mid-Century Modern

A throwback to the design style of the mid-1900s, the mid-century modern is a design aesthetic that favours functionality and fuss-free design. Think pared-down forms, organic and natural shapes, and easy-to-use designs.

Industrial & Clean

Inspired by the urban loft or warehouse-style - the industrial aesthetic is all about raw unfinished textures with exposed brickwork, concrete, and wood. Think of high ceilings, metallic light fixtures, and functional furniture.

Cosy Comfort: Cushions & Throws

Cushions and throws are one of the quickest ways to establish an interior decor theme in your home. They add comfort and cosiness to a range of spaces like living areas and bedrooms, and can be used to create a colour palette that sets the tone for the rest of your decorating endeavours.

Decorative Cushions & Chair Pads

Decorative cushions are a great addition to couches and beds, and come in a huge variety of materials, shapes, sizes, colours and textures to suit just about any home decor style. Chair pads are also a great way to add extra colour, comfort and texture to your dining room.

Introduce a touch of luxury to your spaces with faux fur cushions or piped velvet cushions, or elevate a boho or shabby chic theme with tufted cushions and waffle cushions. Explore our couch cushion styling ideas to learn more about how to arrange cushions on your sofa for maximum home decorating impact.

Outdoor Cushions

Home decor updates are not just for indoors - outdoor living areas need some attention and styling too! Outdoor cushions are ideal for breathing new life into your outdoor furniture settings. Made from sturdy outdoor canvas material designed to withstand the elements, they're stylish while also being weather-resistant, water-resistant and UV-resistant.

Throws & Throw Blankets

Throws are an incredibly tactile way to update your home interior. Combined with plush cushions, a soft throw blanket can add the perfect finishing touch to your bed or sofa. Explore soft faux fur throws to indulge your sense of luxury and comfort, or opt for a simple cotton throw for a soft organic accent. Choose richly coloured throws to create a focal point in your room, or go for neutral tones to create a gently harmonious look.

Faux Plants, Flowers & Vases

Add a touch of nature to your home with artificial plants, indoor plants or your favourite blossoms arranged in a beautiful vase. Whether you opt for fresh plants or faux plants, the variety of colours, shapes and textures in leaves and flowers can make a striking style statement in your home. Floral decor & vases are the perfect way to bring the outdoors in and invite a soothing natural accent to just about any space in your home.

Artificial Plants, Leaves & Flowers

Elevate your home interior with a splash of greenery using a selection of artificial plants & leaves. Faux plants, artificial flowers and potted floral decor are a wonderfully low-maintenance way to add a natural element to your styling efforts - with the huge advantage that there's no need for watering, fertilising or repotting. Ideal for those who lack a green thumb, faux plants and flowers can instantly refresh bedrooms, living spaces, dining areas or even bathrooms.

Plant Pots, Stands & Vases

Planter stands, planter pots and vases are not just for containing your chosen plants and flowers, they can also make a unique style statement on their own. Neutrally toned ceramic, earthenware and terracotta planter pots are perfect for just about any home decor style, while wicker or rattan plant pots & stands are ideal for adding an extra layer or texture to bohemian decorating themes. Make sure you choose plant pots with drainage holes if you're planning on using them with fresh plants.

When it comes to choosing vases, it can be a great idea to select clear glass styles or neutral tones - that way you can be sure it will always complement your chosen fresh or faux flowers. If you want to create a more vibrant decor theme, choose brightly glazed vases to add a pop of colour to your spaces. Or more vase styling tips and tricks, check out our article on how to decorate your home with vases.

Styling Tips For Plants, Flowers & Vases

While most plants and flowers look fabulous irrespective of your decor style, try matching your greenery to your chosen decorating theme. Here are a few ways you can create a cohesive decor update that aligns with your chosen home interior style:

• Faux orchids can add an elegant and luxurious accent to your home interior - with minimal maintenance required!
• Use fresh or faux roses to add a classic accent to French farmhouse themes. Combine with a clear glass vase for an instantly timeless aesthetic.
• Try pairing the muted tones of eucalyptus or grassy fronds for boho-luxe or shabby chic styles.
• Create a maximalist tropical theme by combining monstera or dieffenbachia plants with brightly coloured pots and accessories.
• Choose planter stands and pots that fit with your chosen colour palette, materials palette or decorating theme - think woven wicker stands for boho and shabby chic styles, or simple wooden planter pots for Scandi chic or mid-century modern.

Wall Art & Photo Frames

Wall art is a great way to fill blank walls while creating an instant style statement in your home. Abstract or geometric wall art makes a great addition to modern interior decor styles, while landscapes suit more classic decor themes. Choose colours and textures that complement your existing colour palettes for a truly coordinated style update. Many pieces of wall art come already framed, so keep the colour and material of the frame in mind when picking the right wall art for your space.

For a more personal touch you can create your image gallery with a selection of photo frames. You can add family pictures, your own artistic photographs, collages and drawings or even your kids' artworks to your chosen frames. Choose to display your framed images on sideboards, console tables or mantelpieces, or hang them on your walls in a stylish gallery arrangement. As with your wall art, opt for frame materials that will complement your photos, artworks or chosen decor style. Slimline metallic photo frames can help to create a modern, industrial feel, while timber-toned frames will reinforce organic or rustic decor themes.

Lighting, Clocks & Decorative Ornaments

Lamps & Lighting

Lighting is an integral part of your home decor, and the right lighting solutions can create ambience and aura to tie together your decorating efforts. Table and floor lamps are great design accessories for lending visual appeal and reducing harsh shadows. Harris Scarfe offers a wide variety of lighting & lamps, in styles ranging from traditional to contemporary. You can also control the warmth or coolness of the light itself with different types of light globes, so keep this in mind when considering the mood you want to create in different spaces.

Wall Clocks

Clocks are a classic (and dare we say, timeless!) decor accessory, available today in design options ranging from vintage and retro to ultra-modern. Whether displayed on walls or as bedside table decor - clocks are versatile home decor items that suit multiple interior styles. They also have the advantage of keeping your household on schedule! Choose materials and finishes that coordinate with your decor theme, and if you want to make sure they stand out, opt for a clock colour that contrasts with your walls.

Ornaments & Decorative Bowls

Think of ornaments as the finishing touches to your decorating efforts. Statuettes, sculptures, trinket boxes, faux fruit and decorative bowls can all add personality to your spaces by tying together an interior decorating theme. Style your ornaments in spaces like console tables, mantelpieces or bookcases, and if you're going for a maximalist approach, group your ornaments in clusters. Odd numbers of decor items can create balance, and remember to alternate heights to create visual interest.

Set The Mood With Home Fragrances

Scents, fragrances and mood lighting can add an extra sensory element to your decorating efforts. Home fragrance products can also add an ornamental touch to decor displays - think elegant glass reed diffusers and colourful, decorative jar candles.

Candles & Candle Holders

If there is one thing that works as an instant pick-me-up in any home, it's a candle. Candles are ideal for creating a cosy and intimate atmosphere at home - just think of the warming glow of candlelight and the mood it can create. Choose scented candles to add a refreshing or uplifting fragrance, and combine them with candle holders, votive holders and lanterns to complete your styling efforts.

Essential Oils & Reed Diffusers

Reed diffusers and essential oil diffusers are another way you can add fragrance to your home. Many essential oils have therapeutic benefits as well, such as lavender for restful sleep or cedarwood for relaxation. Ultrasonic diffusers can create a unique style statement, and sometimes even include lighting elements for a multisensory experience.

Home Decor Styling & Buying Tips

Create a focal point

The best home decor is one that draws the eye in. That's why a good starting point is investing in one big-impact item in a room. This could be a tapestry, a painting, a floral arrangement, a vase, a rug, a throw pillow, or lamps - essentially anything that suits your style. Use this focal point to dictate your room's theme, style and mood.

Declutter and get rid of junk

Start with a blank canvas to help open up a room and have a better sense of what's needed to decorate the space. Organising clutter by investing in shelving and storage baskets is an excellent way to begin.

Use alternate heights

A great home decor idea is to shop for pieces with varying heights to make your spaces visually appealing. For instance, if you're buying frames, alternate between short, medium and tall ones. Also, consider purchasing products with a diverse colour palette, as this will automatically lend a refreshing look and feel to your space.

Choose pieces or accessories that tell a story

You want to pick thoughtful decor items that start conversations, feel like they belong or have a story to tell. This could be travel memorabilia, knick-knacks from a flea market, art that lights up your dull corners, or even objects like photo frames, cushion covers and bookends, etc. Remember - home decor trends come and go, but creating a home that celebrates your personality is timeless.

Consider your senses

Home decor is not just about objects and their placement, it's about creating the right mood in every space in your home. Lighting and scented products like diffusers can help establish a particular atmosphere, while tactile accents like plush cushions or fluffy throws are a delight to snuggle into. Think about how you can engage all your senses to create the perfect ambience in your home.

Home Decor Buying Tips

• Buy only what you love: Only invest in pieces that get you excited. Never buy if you're feeling desperate to get the work finished soon. It pays to hold off until you can find a piece you wholeheartedly love and are excited to include in your home, as this is something you'll cherish for years from now. That's why a good rule of thumb is to not put a deadline on your home decorating plans.
• Look around your home: So often, we get caught up in trying to buy new decor items that we've missed an opportunity to rework old and forgotten items around the home that could do with a bit of spruce-up. Before shopping, look around your home to see what you can reuse and repurpose. It's also a more sustainable way to live.
• Measure before you buy: If the product purchased is too long, short or doesn't fit your space, it will unnecessarily cost you. That's why measuring the area or room you have to play with is essential. Note your measurements on paper before you head to the shops or purchase online. This will save you the headache of returns and repurchases, helping you get it right the first time and every time.

Discover The Perfect Home Decor Items For Every Style At Harris Scarfe

With a few key decorative items like wall art or cushions, you'd be amazed at the styling transformations you can make to your home. Harris Scarfe has all your decorating needs covered with a huge range of home decor products to suit modern interiors and classic interiors alike. Shop home decor online or head into your local Harris Scarfe store to explore the selection.

Discover more about home decor styles, themes and decorating tips with our Home Hub articles, where you can explore topics like how to style a maximalist home or the chrome & mixed metals kitchen styling trend. Be sure to check out the rest of our Bed, Bath & Home Buying Guides for more information on finding the best products for you and your family.