Real Simple Real Simple Decorating Basics

IF YOU’RE LIKE US, you thrill to a detailed game plan: Do this research, answer these questions, gather these items—and then get on your way. This almost-scientific approach perfectly fits many home goals, especially cleaning or getting organized. But, as Executive Editor Rory Evans noted as we got to work on this special edition, “Decorating feels more like alchemy and magic—and being in the exact right spot so that lightning can strike you!” (We’re assuming these are bolts of design brilliance, not a stormy disaster!) Rather than give you a precise decorating to-do list, we’ve gathered road-tested tips, designer insights that are practically foolproof, and a collection of our favorite homes that are inspiring and relatable. We also threw in a healthy dose of cheerleading because, in the end, what you…

THE BIG IDEA We’ve asked a lot of ourselves and our homes in the last couple years. Family rooms became classrooms; dining rooms are now offices. Work-life balance has been tested, and family togetherness redefined. These happenings, some in our collective rear view and others enduring, mean the most important rooms in our homes are due for renewal. (Like us, they’ve been through a lot.) You may find yourself examining your spaces with not only new eyes but also new needs—and perhaps a desire for a well-earned fresh start. Knowing you want change is one thing, but figuring out where to begin—and how to finish—is where it can feel daunting. The Real Simple Method isn’t about chasing trends or buying a leopard-print sofa because someone said you should. It’s about finding your…

1 BALANCED TONES Make a cool, monochromatic space more comfortable by adding warm tones. In a room decorated primarily with blues and grays, for example, Peña suggests incorporating wood accents or artwork featuring an earthy yellow shade to create a more relaxed feel. The opposing tones complement each other to achieve a well-rounded look. 2 GREENERY Plants are a must-have in all of Peña’s designs. “They can help fill space at a lower cost than furniture,” she says. They also create a sense of calm and continuity with your exterior surroundings. Her current go-to greenery is Ficus Moclame (right), which she says provides an organic and architectural focal point. When it comes to picking the right container, look around the room. If the space is minimalist, choose a pot with a basket weave…

IN JULY 2017, when Ingrid Fetell Lee and her husband, Albert Lee, bought their three-bedroom home in East Hampton, New York, Ingrid was writing Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness. For 10 years, Ingrid had researched the things that universally bring people joy (that fleeting feeling, different from happiness, that we get seeing a balloon or flowers). Pulling from science and her industrial-design background, Ingrid found that adding more joy—at home, at work, in public spaces—can make us healthier and happier. It was a given that Ingrid and Albert would design their home with joy in mind, adding hits of unexpected color and highlighting their natural surroundings. “I wanted to create little moments that bring me joy as I move through the house,” she says. “If…

COLOR IS POWERFUL. It’s often the first thing people notice when they walk through a space, and it sets the tone for your home. But when faced with a thick book of paint chips, most people gravitate toward their favorite hues or play it safe with neutrals. Instead, consider the mood you’d like to set in each room. Designers and color experts share their favorite colors to inspire you. Relax With Gray or Blue. Think of the ocean. How do you feel? “Cool, watery colors calm you,” says Jessica Helgerson, an interior designer in Portland, Oregon. That’s why sky blue or a neutral with an undertone (the color that’s mixed with the primary color) of gray or green is common in bedrooms and yoga studios: These shades capture that soothing, serene, private-retreat…