Ahh yes, finishing a room. Well, THAT never happens around here. Not in its entirety, anyway. The truth is, I’m forever adding and subtracting and swapping things around in pretty much every space in my home. For the purposes of today’s post, however, I’m using that to mean a space that’s ready for its big debut – the one you feel you can step back and know you’re happy with the finished product. The one you might just snap with your phone and share with your friends on Facebook or Instagram. Done in that sense. You know what I mean, right?
Anyway, the problem I often see is that so often people put that stamp of ‘done’ on a space without it actually REALLY being complete. Sure, you may have ripped out the flooring and replaced it or completely painted from top to bottom. You might have moved your new furniture in place. You might have updated the windows or radiators or given the skirting boards a new lick of paint. You might have had tradesmen in to sort out the damp or update the electrics. You’ve lived through the chaos and came out the other side. So the architecture of the room is complete and perhaps the furniture is finally in – but does that mean you’re finished? Sadly, no.
The problem I’ve noticed is that people stop there. They’ve got the furniture in and yet, the room lacks some soul. It lacks personality. It lacks all those little details that actually – and pardon the cliché – make a house a home. In fact, I think there are 8Β things that actually REALLY complete a room – those finishing touches that make any space come to life. Here are the things I think every room needs before you can truly call it done.
Artwork
There is seriously nothing sadder than a room with a bunch of blank walls. I’m not saying every wall needs artwork but please do include at least a few pieces that give a room some personality. And truth be told, it doesn’t even have to be artwork. Hang a huge textile on the wall or create a feature wall with some bold wallpaper (see my tips here), put up some shelving and dot a few plants on top. But for the love of all that is good and gracious in this world, don’t leave every single wall bare and get some interest up there.
Personal Objects
These are the things that reflect you personally. So perhaps you are really into photography – set out your vintage camera collection or pop down a few big coffee-table style books on your favourite photographer. Maybe you used to skateboard in your youth and you still have some great looking ones in the loft – get those on the walls as decor. Maybe you love to travel and have bought some gorgeous textiles or pottery back from distant lands or it might just be some pretty rocks or shells from your beach holiday. All of these little things tell the story of you. They become conversation starters and remind you of life experiences. It’s these things that add a little extra YOU to a space so use them to pull some of your personality in.
Decorative Pieces
I’m a sucker for a great decorative piece. Ya know, those things that actually have no real use except to sit out and look pretty. I have an insane collection of pretty things dotted around my home and while you don’t necessarily have to be a complete maximalist as I am (because let’s be honest here, no one loves dusting), you do want to add a little something to your surfaces. So perhaps your mantle can use a lovely vase with flowers or your sideboard might have a small display with a tray and some pretty vintage glassware. Your sofa will welcome a couple of decorative cushions or a throw or a candle to throw off a lovely scent. Filling in some of the negative space with accessories and vignettes will give your room a boost of style.
Lighting
Here’s an important one. How many people just stop at putting a light fixture up in the ceiling in the centre of the room and that’s it? The ‘big light’ as it’s affectionately known here. Yeah, you can’t just stop there. A room should have various light sources –Β we’re talking table lamps, floor lamps, wall lights – even candles can count to add some ambience to your dining room table or a coffee table. And the big light? Please put that on a dimmer. No one wants to feel like they are under interrogation whilst eating dinner, believe me.
Plants or Flowers
Of course, I’m going to mention house plants. I honestly don’t think there’s a room out there that won’t benefit from the addition of a bit of greenery. It’s one of the easiest things to give a room some lift. Include plants of different sizes and ones that have an architectural quality to them. Mix up the leaf types and the sizes for the most interesting combinations. They’ll give your room an organic touch, purify the air and add a splash of colour all at the same time. Flowers, of course, will give you a similar benefit, adding colour and fragrance to your finished space. Want some more ideas? Check out my post here.
Something with Curves
The fact is, most rooms are relatively square or rectangular in shape and your windows will be rectangular in shape and you’ll probably have things like tables in the room which will be rectangular in shape. You need something to soften all those hard lines and bringing in curved objects will contrast nicely. Perhaps a large circular mirror or an oval coffee table. It might be a round dining table or a sofa with a gently curving back. Whatever you do, make sure something in your space isn’t totally angular. It’ll give your room a little softness, subtly making it all the more a welcoming spot to hang out.
Window Dressings
I’m not saying you need to have ‘swags & tails’ in each room in your home of course (in fact, swags and tails are pretty desperately out of fashion now so perhaps skip them all together). But for most rooms, textiles at your window will soften those hard angles I spoke about above. I know I’ve banged on about it a million times before but if you have curtains, please don’t let them stop at the windowsill. Those curtains should be hung as high as possible (about an inch or so from the ceiling) and hang all the way to the floor. Can’t use full-length curtains? Consider Roman blinds or window shutters instead. Just don’t leave all your windows naked. Of course, there are exceptions to the rule (ie, if you have those big beautiful Crittal windows in your home, they probably don’t need a thing) but for the other 99% of times, get something on your windows even if it’s just some soft muslin or simple cotton, it’ll give your room a little bit of polish.
Rugs
Finally, while rugs will certainly help protect your floors in high traffic areas, they can do so much more than that. A great area rug will help delineate zones in an open plan space and help pull together what might otherwise just look like a random assortment of furniture in a large area. They can add texture, colour or pull a theme together in a room too. For a smaller space, it’ll ground your furniture and make it look more pulled together. If you have low-pile carpet, layering rugs on top will have a similar effect and can add some colour or texture to your scheme.
So those are the 8 things that I think really polish off a room and make it look complete. Do you agree or disagree with my list (there are always exceptions I realise!)? What do you do to make a room look finished? Let me know in the comments!
I always find rooms look a little sad if there’s no artwork at all on the walls. I’ve started really enjoying having more greenery in my home now too, and I always have fresh flowers. There are so many great artificial plants now too aren’t there, which really appeals to me lol x
Jenny | LuxeStyle
Oh my goodness I totally get the lighting thing. I can’t bear harsh bulbs and central lighting. Totally agree to – artwork makes such a difference. Great post x
I’m at the finishing off stage in our dining room. It was an accidental makeover (I couldn’t stop ripping off the wallpaper) so it hasn’t been planned. Now I’m questioning the art we had up in there before we revamped it, I’m in need of something to tart up the window (curtains? A blind? Who knows) and I feel a bit lost in thes big, empty, but full of furniture room!
I couldn’t agree more with you. Personal effects and especially artwork are the key elements for me in giving your room personality, otherwise it’s just soulless
Great list! Artwork is a big one for me. It adds soul and character, and I really enjoy seeing what others like.
It’s interesting you mention personal objects as being conversation starters. I have an antique chest my great-grandma brought when she immigrated from France and a painting my grandma did back in the 70’s – both could easily appear to be random thrift buys, yet people are always asking about the story behind them. It’s like they just know! So I love that you raised that point, b/c that is exactly what will get people talking.
I know what you mean about a room never being finished Kimberly! If I fight the urge to keep changing things around I think I’d be nearly there with my living room, *except* for lighting which has been fine during the summer months but def going to need addressing when autumn rolls around.. xx
Books. For me, a home without books lacks a soul.
I agree with Catherine above, but you have actually mentioned books as “personal objects.” Indeed, I like to see on display the books I like and make me happy.
And the dimmer switch… That I need to sort soon :-)
That makes little or no sense. Sorry! But you know what I mean…
It’s the finishing touches that can really make a room come alive. Love all your tips for achieving this.
A great list Kimberly. My rooms to me never seem finish as I’m always changing things round, but those core features you’ve listed are perfect x
great list Kimberly. I had a new neighbour around for a cuppa a couple of months ago and something she said really stuck with me. I have a good selection of house plants, which I love. She had a look around my living room and said ” I didn’t think anybody had house plants any more” Lol didn’t know how to answer that one. Xxx
I’m really enjoying putting artwork up on the walls in my house, it makes the room and I love being able to put up my pictures that I have taken too. Great ideas here Kimberly
I completely agree – I’m forever sharing progress posts on rooms we start transforming but then there is never a grand reveal because I never get round to those finishing touches. So frustrating but this is a great list X
Such a great list. I think you’ve covered everything. I’m just starting to get my act together at home. Artwork is coming into play, plants are becoming a bit of an obsession too. I must say I don’t really like having pretty, decorative items around. If they don’t have a purpose and can’t prove themselves useful they have to go. Just feels like clutter otherwise and I have enough of that already. Being pretty isn’t an excuse lol.
Hi Kimberley, love your blog, full of lots of fantastic tips and advice, especially like the Ikea paint tips.
I was Just wondering where you purchased the gold tray from, its the one with feet and has a black and white chequered edge.
ps your home is absolutely gorgeous, do prefer the ‘glam cave’, the paint colour is very lush.
Hi Joan, aww thank you so much! That’s really lovely of you to say :) The tray is from Sweetpea & Willow and is genuinely one of my favourite accessories in my home. It’s pricey but the quality is incredible and it’s very heavy! Here’s a link: https://www.sweetpeaandwillow.com/accessories/home-accessories/domino-mirrored-tray Hope that helps! xx
Such beautiful photos in this article with some great quirky pieces – I particularly love the geometric wallpaper and the sideboard with the botanical print. And a rug is always a great choice for any room of course :)
it is always a pleasure to see how you present your posts and ideas, that chequered tray with the gold cups and glassware is amazing it looks very expensive! I love it!I see the tray you got from sweetpea and you have been creative with it :)
I completely agree about short curtainsβ¦..however Iβm having a dilemma in my Edwardian terraced house as two rooms (main bedroom and living room) have the longest radiators ever, running the full width of the rooms (I think due to the low sills of the windows), with the windows sat in the middle. Iβm considering roman blinds however not sure if the windows are too big and would like to be able to soften the look and window edges with curtains. But they would constantly hang over the radiators and I think it would look a little strange with the radiator popping out either side…. Help!
Hi Nicola, Okay so a few suggestions… can you not replace the radiators with something shorter? Having a wall-length radiator just seems a bit unnecessary ;) Or perhaps the radiators can be relocated to a different wall? You’ll lose a lot of heat when radiators are placed under windows! If that’s not an option then perhaps consider painting them out to the same colour as the wall so they don’t stand out! My only other suggestion would be to have a wall of curtains that runs the entire length of the wall. Hope that helps & best of luck! xx
Yes this is a great list. Artwork and lighting is my strength but rugs and greenery are not! Will remember curves for my next decorating tasks. And maybe I would add something gold….