5 Key Accessories Every Home Needs

Sharing inspiration has always been the ultimate goal with this hobby of blogging.  The creative juices in me crave change, and it’s my honor to share those changes with you.   My biggest joy comes when someone stops me while out and about or texts me, and informs me of a recent update they have done to their home all from being inspired by me.  It truly humbles me each and every time.  I also receive requests via email and text to provide suggestions for a given space.  There are 5 key accessories I feel every home needs to acquire instant cozy, and I am excited to finally share them with you.

This is Part 1 to a series I am starting all about shopping your own home first.  I will be sharing how to progress beyond these 5 basic elements in later posts.

“Where Do I Start?”

I truly believe any space can be made to feel inviting by incorporating 5 key accessories, as long as you have a foundation.  Assuming you already have furniture, merging these basic items together will create instant cozy.  Whether it’s a young adult fresh out of college, or someone who just hasn’t dedicated time to decorating until now, these 5 basics are all you need to get started.  Believe it or not, I have received many a message asking, “Where do I start?”  My answer is always the same.

5 Key Accessories

1. Neutral Throw Pillows – at least 2
2. Decorative Tray
3. Comfy Throw Blanket
4. Foliage – Fresh or Faux
5. Good Smelling Candle – non-scented is fine too 😉

Once you invest in these timeless pieces, you will realize multiplying them in other parts of your home will create an inviting atmosphere all around.  Before you know it you will be changing things up just by shopping your own home.  But I don’t want to get ahead of myself, so let me show you how easy this really is.

Foundation

Here is my blank slate, a sofa and coffee table.  This staging would work with one chair, a pair of chairs, and an ottoman instead of a coffee table.

Throw Pillows

My suggestion is to invest in at least 2 neutral throw pillows.  I will show you how having neutral throw pillows will aid in your foundation to begin layering with more color in a later post.  Staying a bit neutral is crucial in building a timeless collection of pieces you will be able to switch out easily.  I chose to stage 4, but again 2 to start with is perfectly acceptable.

Decorative Tray

Decorative trays are key for several reasons.  They are multi-functional making them a timeless accessory that can easily be moved about.  Whether they are staged to hold magazines and conversational pieces, or for holding drinks, a decorative tray will soon become a staple in your home.

This fabulous tray is part of Cotton Stem’s Curated Collection at Painted Fox Home.

Comfy Throw Blanket

Here is where you can pop some color and/or pattern if you choose.  My color of choice these days is blush (as if you didn’t already know).  Can you feel the cozy vibes?

Foliage – Fresh or Faux

I have been adding more and more plants into the mix, because they add instant charm and they actually provide cleaner air.  But… I also have my fair share of faux foliage and blooms scattered around too.  Greens and florals add an earthy feel to your home, and are easy ‘fill in’ accessories.  Whenever I have a spot I am struggling with, I usually end up just sticking a plant there, and voilà, problem solved!

Good Smelling Candle

This last accessory may be debatable, because not everyone enjoys burning candles in their home.  A bowl of potpourri works too, or just exclude the smelly stuff all together 😉  I went a step further and showed how adding a few books for added height and another accessory will create an easy vignette for your tray.

There you have it!  5 key accessories that will transform any space into a welcoming environment.  This next photo is showing how I incorporated the same 5 key accessories into another space.

Can you pick out each accessory?  Hint: decorative tray is the small side table.

Once you begin to understand how to think outside the box with these 5 key accessories, shopping your own home will become a snap!  It’s all just a game of switch-a-roo!

I truly hope you found this post helpful.  Whether you are moving into your first apartment or house, finally finding time to give attention to detail, or just plain stuck in a decorating rut, I feel these key components can be implemented in any situation.  These are just meant to be helpful suggestions, and are my personal opinions and preferences.   Hearing your thoughts are a great pleasure, so share away!  A design rut can be difficult at times to crawl out of, so if I have helped in any way, I would love to hear from you.

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Author and photos – Martha Knake

Chief Editor – Emily Schunke