You’ve visited a model home and were instantly captivated by the upscale allure, harmonious design, and the comfortable yet modern vibe. Whether you own a Fulton home or are simply looking for that high-end designer touch, the secrets to achieving that model home look are closer than you think. Here are the first of several steps to help you transform your living space into something out of a design magazine.

1. Start with a Clean Slate:

Before you even think about décor, declutter your space. Model homes are captivating because of their simplicity. By keeping only the essentials and your most cherished items, you’ll free up space for your new design ideas.

2. Consistency is Key:

Pick a color palette and stick with it throughout your home. This doesn’t mean every room should be the same color, but rather there should be a harmonious flow from one room to another. Soft neutrals mixed with occasional bold colors work wonders.

3. Texturize and Layer:

Model homes often feel luxurious because of the depth created by different textures and layers. Incorporate various fabrics like velvets, silks, and cotton. Add textured rugs, throw pillows, and blankets to give a room depth.

4. Lighting Matters:

The right lighting can transform a room. Ensure you have a mix of ambient, task, and accent lighting. Update old fixtures to modern ones. Consider investing in dimmer switches or smart lights to alter the mood with ease.

5. Artfully Arranged Bookshelves:

Don’t cram every book and knick-knack you own onto your shelves. Instead, organize books by size or color, use stylish bookends, and intersperse with attractive décor pieces or plants for a more aesthetic look.

6. Opt for Large Scale Art:

One statement piece often has a more significant impact than several smaller ones. A large painting or print can instantly elevate the room and serve as a focal point.

A model home look isn’t about spending a fortune but making intentional choices about your décor and how you arrange your space. In our next part, we’ll delve deeper into more specific touches you can add to enhance every corner of your home.

Decorating a room with neutral-colored walls offers a lot of flexibility because neutral tones can act as a perfect backdrop for many different styles, color palettes, and décor pieces. Here are some tips to help you decorate your neutral space:

1. Incorporate Textures and Patterns: Use a variety of textures to add interest to the room and prevent it from feeling flat. This could include items like a knitted throw, a velvet couch, or a shag rug. Additionally, patterns can bring depth and complexity to a neutral space. Consider patterned pillows, an intricate rug, or a statement piece of wall art.
2. Use Pops of Color: Although your walls may be neutral, that doesn’t mean the rest of your decor has to be. You can add bright, bold colors to create contrast and focal points in the room. This could be in the form of colorful throw pillows, vibrant artwork, or brightly colored furniture.
3. Mix and Match Shades of Neutral: Just because it’s neutral doesn’t mean it has to be boring. Try mixing different shades of neutral colors, like cream, beige, and brown, to create a layered, sophisticated look.
4. Invest in Statement Furniture: Since your walls are neutral, you can afford to go bold with your furniture. Consider pieces with unique shapes, textures, or even colors.
5. Add Plants: Greenery can provide a lively contrast to the neutral colors and adds an element of freshness to the room.
6. Play with Lighting: Warm or cool lighting can dramatically change the appearance of a neutral color, bringing out different undertones. Layer your lighting with a mix of overhead, task, and ambient light sources to create an inviting space.
7. Incorporate Metal Accents: Gold, silver, brass, or even black metal can add a modern touch to a neutral color scheme. You can incorporate metal accents in picture frames, lamp bases, furniture legs, or accessories.
8. Use Mirrors and Glass: Reflective surfaces can break up the neutrality and add a sense of depth and light to the room.
9. Layer Rugs: Rugs not only add texture and pattern to a room, they also offer an easy way to incorporate additional neutral or colored elements into the space. Layering rugs is a popular interior design trend and can make a room feel more inviting and complex.
10. Add Personal Touches: Last but not least, make the space your own. Add family photos, artwork, travel souvenirs, or any other items that have personal meaning to you. These items can add life and personality to a room with neutral-colored walls.

Remember, decorating should reflect your personal style, so feel free to use these tips as starting points and adapt them to suit your own taste.

A living room is one of the most important spaces in your home, as it is often where you spend the most time relaxing, entertaining guests, or simply hanging out with family. A well-designed living room can also make a big difference in how you feel about your home overall. If you’re looking for some tips on how to design or update your living room, here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Consider the layout: The layout of your living room can have a big impact on how functional and comfortable it feels. Before you start decorating, think about how you want to use the space and arrange your furniture accordingly. You may want to create separate zones for different activities, such as watching TV, reading, or playing games.
2. Choose a focal point: A focal point is a design element that draws the eye and anchors the room. In a living room, this might be a fireplace, a large window, or a piece of artwork. Once you’ve identified your focal point, arrange your furniture around it to create a cohesive look.
3. Play with color: Color is a powerful tool in interior design, and the colors you choose for your living room can have a big impact on its overall feel. Consider the mood you want to create and choose colors that support that goal. You might also want to consider adding pops of color through accessories like pillows, rugs, or artwork.
4. Mix textures: Texture is another important element in interior design, and mixing different textures can add depth and interest to your living room. Consider incorporating elements like plush rugs, woven baskets, and upholstery to create a cozy and inviting space.
5. Don’t forget lighting: Lighting is key in creating a comfortable and functional living room. Make sure you have a mix of ambient, task, and accent lighting to create the right mood and functionality for different activities.
6. Add personal touches: Finally, don’t forget to add personal touches that reflect your personality and style. This might include family photos, artwork, or decorative objects that have sentimental value. These touches can help make your living room feel like a truly personal and inviting space.

With these tips in mind, you can create a living room that is both stylish and functional, and that reflects your personal style and taste.

There is nothing quite like having the opportunity to escape everyday life and getting lost in a foreign place. If you have ever fallen in love with a destination, you know that a vacation’s end is often met with melancholy. So how can you bring a piece of heaven back to your home so that you always remember that special destination? 

Most travelers look to souvenirs to serve as a reminder. Often, when cheesy souvenirs are implemented in a home’s decor, which can tend to look tacky. How can you best embrace your love for travel in your home’s design scheme without overpowering the design? The key to implementing travel into your interior design without disastrous results is moderation. To help you master incorporating travel in your design, we created two simple tips. Let’s take a look! 

Using Souvenirs in Decor

When traveling, try skipping the cheesy souvenir shops that only stock tacky knick-knacks. Instead, you will want to select pieces that will fit in with your home’s decor. It can be a hand-painted bowl that you can sit on your kitchen countertops or a handsewn quilt that you can throw over the couch.

When using souvenirs from foreign places in your home’s decor, you want to do so moderately. Be sure to do so with sophistication and sparingly. That means if you went to a beach destination you should avoid decking the walls in seashells or accessorizing your tabletops with bowls of shells. Instead, display seashells like artwork. Select one unique piece and display it in a way that it stands out on its own.

Simple pieces such as a scented oil from the area or pottery plates that you bought to eat dinner on every night can serve as a reminder of your travels. 

Avoid Theme Decorating

As much as you may love Hawaiian colors, instead of painting the walls those bold colors and using Hawaiian inspired fabrics throughout the house, you can incorporate elements of the theme subtly. You can feature a large painting of your beloved destination. 

Your mementos from your travel should not completely alter the decor of your home. Instead, it should be individual pieces that add to it and causes you to relive that feeling of being on vacation.