SMALL Decorating Changes: How to Live Large

Sometimes it is about the big bold moves. Fully gutting and revamping a dark, busy bathroom or kitchen, for example. Transformation from depressing to uplifting, peaceful, and airy. But more often it is subtle additions, decluttering, and small decorating changes that pave the way for calm satisfaction with a space.

French Nordic style room with settee and vintage grain sack pillows - Hello Lovely Studio. #frenchnordic #frenchcountry #allwhitedecor

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Small Decorating Changes: Satisfying Thoughtful Tweaks

Why bother with aesthetics at home anyway?

It’s easy to justify putting off projects at home when more important matters of life are present. There are always seasons that demand more of us than others.

Serene white modern French Shaker kitchen by Hello Lovely Studio. #minuet #viateraquartz

And often the truly meaningful chapters of living life with our people and pets demand our attention and our pocketbooks.

Neutral, serene, European country bedroom with Stikwood accent wall (Hamptons), white bedding, and BM Revere Pewter painted furniture - Hello Lovely Studio. #reverepewter #cottagebedroom

But home is also haven and a nest to grow, rest, learn, and recover. With a calmer, less fussy, more orderly space, there may be more opportunities for moments to gather, connect, and be comforted.

Serene vintage style white bath with clawfoot tub, plantation shutters, and staggered marble tile - Hello Lovely Studio. #serenedecor #serenebath
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It’s not always about the really big moves…renovations, meetings with designers, furniture shopping, or space planning. Small decorating changes (simple acquisitions, subtle modifications) don’t need to create piles of debt, dust, or regret.

Humbly Remaining True to You

I recall needing a change in our former laundry room and knowing full well the “after” would be anything but dramatic or blog worthy. In fact, I suspected followers would feel disappointed with how simple and low cost I kept that project.

There wasn’t a flashy new washer and dryer set, custom cabinetry, or flashy new hardware in the works.

Our former laundry room got a marble mosaic backsplash, pale blue grey walls, and beadboard paneling - Hello Lovely Studio.
Simple, serene upgrades (beadboard panels, marble mosaic backsplash, and readymade shelves) helped a forlorn laundry pass through.

And I was right about the reaction online…opinions were expressed about what could elevate the wee space and surprise it stayed rather humble. There was disappointment. But I wasn’t after a viral blog post, a moment, or accolades. I was after a bit of calm for a wee-sized, pass through, windowless room. It just needed to quiet, offer organization, and become more pleasant for laundry.

Cozy little serene things (a wee lamp, detergent in a glass bottle, polished marble backsplash tile) made a forlorn laundry pass through so much more peaceful and welcoming - Hello Lovely Studio.

Maybe you can relate. You may feel dissatisfied with how you feel in the room and know the mood could improve. Maybe it doesn’t make sense to hire a designer, invest too much, or take time away from other responsibilities.

Dappled autumn light in my kitchen and hall with Ilse Jacobsen boots - Hello Lovely Studio.

And maybe that’s where “thinking small” and making small moves can be heroic.

Personal growth and self-awareness quote - Hello Lovely Studio.

Small Decorating Changes are Wise

While my goal for the little laundry area was to keep it all simple and understated, “simple” still involves thought. Adding the right elements to that utility space (a beautiful marble subway tile backsplash) and upgrading a few existing ones (changing out an awful ceiling light for a sparkly romantic one) made a huge difference.

Softly diffused light from crystals instantly created a more welcoming ambiance. The light bounced off reflective stone tile which added a natural, organic layer to a sterile environment. A favorite muted color for walls was an easy customization without headaches, tears, or second mortgages.

Rustic antique Belgian sideboard with oak branch in vase in early fall - Hello Lovely Studio.

Need ideas for how small decorating changes can bloom into more serenity?

Literally Turning the Tables

It’s just what I do. Like maybe more often than most cats. I swap tables and chairs in dining areas to satisfy creative urges and because maybe I’m always thinking I haven’t landed on the ideal setting.

Serene tranquil white kitchen with farm sink, marble subway tile, Viatera Minuet quartz counters, white Shaker cabinets, and white oak flooring. Come explore Serene Decor Slow Living as well as Small Thoughtful Changes at Home.
Hello Lovely Studio – Small Decorating Changes as well as Ideas for Serenity.

Sometimes I’ll try a different rug or remove the rug.

My serene white French country kitchen with white oak flooring, Minuet quartz Viatera countertop, and Belgian linen upholstered bar stools.  Come explore Serene Decor Slow Living as well as Small Thoughtful Changes at Home.

A different shaped table or different scaled chairs always makes a difference.

Serene breakfast nook with linen slipcovered chairs and round dining table - Hello Lovely Studio.

If you own multiples, ever considered swapping kitchen/dining/game tables at home? A small decorating tweak yet a mood changer and potentially functional improvement too.

Serene white kitchen with Viatera Minuet white quartz counters, polished marble backsplash, and Bosch appliances - Hello Lovely Studio.

BTW. Sometimes it’s not going smaller in terms of a table’s dimensions. We just brought our old harvest table up from the basement and swapped it for our round kitchen table in the breakfast nook at the Georgian.

10 zen things on Hello Lovely Studio. #quotes #zen #simpleliving #slowliving #hellolovelystudio

The bonus of a 7-foot long farm table? So very useful for spreading out with crafts, games and even laundry when you don’t have folding space elsewhere.

Wee Investment & Vast Style

Lots of kitchens could improve in function and style with a petite work cart.

Steel industrial cart on casters before I transformed it DIY style. #hellolovelystudio #diy #steelcart
BEFORE: Here is how my $10 find looked right after we hosed off the grime.

Remember my old industrial one snagged from a yard sale?

Serene white kitchen in early fall with hydrangea - Hello Lovely Studio.
AFTER

Such an easy little tweak with chalk paint, leftover quartz (a salvaged sink cut-out), and reclaimed wood from the original kitchen floor.

Hello Lovely's European country kitchen with white cabinets, white oak hardwoods, and industrial steel cart. #europeancountry #kitchendesign

You don’t have to wait weeks to hunt down the perfect one. Here’s a petite model with clean lines:

Would Less Visual NOISE Be Music to Your Eyes?

Decluttering is often a gamechanger and even more helpful than new purchases. For one, a space suddenly feels more manageable to maintain. Slower living in a more serene atmosphere suits many of us since work life can feel less than serene.

Hello Lovely Studio's white oak hardwood floors in her European country living room, dining, and kitchen with Belgian linen. #hellolovelystudio #interiordesign #whiteoak #hardwoodfloors #belgianlinen #europeancountry #openfloorplan

It’s easy to add seasonal color and layer when the spirit moves you.

European country dining room with white farm table, rustic shelves, and lantern - Hello Lovely Studio.

Multifunctional Pieces Mean You Can Live With Less

If you have a smallish home or kitchen, maybe you have limited storage and a desire to keep surfaces clutter-free.

White ironstone pitcher with white roses and spring blooms atop books on a bistro table. #hellolovelystudio #ironstonepitcher #frenchcountry #florals #romanticdecor

When decorative items work AND look pretty, that’s a win. For example, ironstone pitchers. They are so helpful for multiple tasks.

White roses in a vintage ironstone pitcher in my kitchen with window seat - Hello Lovely. #whiteroses #whitedecor #windowseat #breakfastnook

They’re vases, utensil holders, receptacles for lemonade, and will even water plants.

White roses in ironstone pitcher on pub table with industrial stools - Hello Lovely.
Serene Decorating Ideas from Hello Lovely

Can the decorative item be used in multiple places at home inside and out? Now we’re talkin’.

White vintage ironstone pitcher with roses and a summer floral arrangement - on a black Parisian bistro chair in the courtyard - Hello Lovely Studio.
Hello Lovely Studio

These round wooden rustic stools are another example of a decorative element that can be pulled into service as a workhorse. I use mine for extra seating, as little side tables, step stools and perches for everything:

French country white bathroom with maids tub, accent stool, and white roses - Hello Lovely.

Here’s one as a vanity stool:

And even a piano stool:

Our dining room with fireplace is used as a music room where a white piano and antique mirror are decorated for Christmas in white - Hello Lovely Studio. #whitechristmas #whitepiano

They’re so sweet everywhere:

Instead of sharing a big cheeseboard or sweets buffet, individual mini boards are a safe way to entertain during Covid-19. #hellolovelystudio #summerentertaining #easyentertaining #outdoorentertaining #minicheeseboard #appetizerideas

Sometimes there isn’t room for a bedside table…

See what I mean? When pretty things must work for their keep, they live large.

Rustic farmhouse wood stool in the garden with summer blooms - Hello Lovely Studio. #hellolovelystudio #gardenstool #rusticstool #summergarden #homedecor #outdoorstool

Serene Small Changes

Sometimes small decorating changes don’t demand a fortune, and sometimes the investment is bound to pay off for resale and improved quality daily living. Kitchen countertops spring to mind. If your cabinets have seen better days and will be replaced someday soon, investing in stone or quartz likely doesn’t make good sense. But swapping dark laminate for butcher block or a marble-look laminate may be the small change that won’t break the bank.

Seen the latest readymade laminate countertops with decorative edges, texture, gloss, and a look to mimic stone?

Should you opt for stone or quartz, there are plenty of selections to add calm. Nine years later, I still hear from followers who duplicated our former kitchen and chose Viatera Minuet quartz.

Quartz Countertop in Kitchen: Viatera - Minuet
Read about how I chose this quartz. EXACT Quartz Countertop in Kitchen: Viatera Minuet

I have never been crazy about the label “influencer,” but our kitchen renovation was definitely an influencer. What’s great about changing your counters is that there is often precious little DIY needed. Sometimes “small” means just writing the check and allowing the pros to deliver the big change.

Pom pom garland at the kitchen sink window - Hello Lovely Studio. #paviliongray #graykitchen #calacattagoldmarble
Viatera MUSE white quartz is what I chose for our current kitchen.

Little Mindful Pivots

Depending on your perspective, it can be disheartening to see gorgeous transformations and beautiful interiors on social media. Comparison is difficult to avoid in today’s screen-centric culture. But there is such a wealth of inspiration in the right corners.

Yet cozier little homes, teeny budgets, and even time crunches may be relative. Small square footage and small budgets can still live beautifully. So much inspiration out there for thrifty makeovers and tiny living!

Also, it doesn’t have to get done in a day! Maybe you are like me and will get cozy with the idea that a slow decorator is a wise decorator.

Zen quote for mindfulness, peace, and greater awareness on Hello Lovely Studio. #zenquotes #mindfulnessquotes

I’m Michele, and I’m a Slow Decorator

So my special talent for slowwwww renovation and decoration is not just about loving the process. Sometimes the process is anything but enjoyable when you have chronic illness. Frankly, I have physical limitations and cannot physically tackle projects swiftly. Plus, both my husband and I work full-time jobs. There are just so many daylight hours.

Serene white modern French dining room with farm table, rustic wood candleholders, and succulent in rustic pot - Hello Lovely Studio. #allwhitedecor #modernfrench #diningroom

And there’s another thing. Maybe living in the midst of all of my tranquil interiors naturally slows me. There are worst things!

Serene dining room with linen slipcovered chairs, round table, French doors to kitchen, and white oak hardwood floors - Hello Lovely Studio.

Calm Paint Colors & Serene Neutral Palettes

White paint is one of the easiest strategies for adding serenity to a space.

Belgian sideboard and European Country style in my living room with white oak floors and Belgian linen furniture - Hello Lovely Studio.
Small decorating changes as well as ideas for tranquil timeless living from Hello Lovely

Most of the walls in our former fixer were painted BENJAMIN MOORE White OC-151. Very cool and gallery-like, we needed its crispness in the presence of sunny yellow natural light.

Ultimate Guide to Best White Paint Colors! #bestwhite #whitepaint #choosingwhite
Find out how to choose the best white paint colors HERE.

Not sure where to start with sampling a white paint, see THIS.

Small Layering Changes With Texture

Serene moods often call for cool colors and minimal decor, but if the look feels too stark, it may not be welcoming. Our window seat in the former breakfast nook we renovated was okay in its before…

Our serene white kitchen with windowseat has a tranquil breakfast area with small round wood table, Belgian linen slipcovered armchairs, and floor lamp. #hellolovelystudio #serenekitchen #windowseat #europeanfarmhouse
BEFORE

but cozier and more functional AFTER:

Viatera Minuet quartz counters in our serene kitchen with window seat - Hello Lovely Studio.

A hand-painted FLOWER MARKET sign above the window seat is from Urban Farmgirl, and options are HERE.

Detail of linen cushion window seat in my serene European inspired white ktitchen - Hello Lovely Studio.
Hello Lovely Studio

Sometimes just a bit of warm texture from wood contrasts softly in a field of white:

My vintage white piano decorated for Christmas and snow outside the arched window in the music room - Hello Lovely Studio.
Serene Decorating & How to Make Small Thoughtful Changes

Shop my homes here, and find more sources for the decor here.

Inspirational flower quote about blooming and life on Hello Lovely Studio. #flowerquote #inspirationalquotes #flowers

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

Thanks for shopping RIGHT HERE to keep decor inspiration flowing on Hello Lovely!

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Deconstructed Wingback Bed
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Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
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White Matelasse Quilt
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Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
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Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
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Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
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French Country Wood Chandelier
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Gustavian Cabinet
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Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
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French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
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Tray Side Table
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Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
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Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
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Boheme Madera Bench
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Round Marble Side Table
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7 Comments

  1. Ayla Rose
    February 20, 2024 / 2:53 pm

    What a beautiful and needed post. I also have chronic illness so deeply understand the need to go slowly. You make doing so beautiful.

    • Michele
      Author
      February 20, 2024 / 5:00 pm

      Ahhhhh – I’m so happy to have you here. We have to stick together and normalize living with our conditions – so often it’s the “feeling” of being different or not enough that complicates healing and recovery. 🙂 Anything I can do to leverage that cause is what I long to do. 🙂

  2. Amy
    February 21, 2024 / 10:09 pm

    Love all your ideas here! And “I’m Amy & I am a slow decorator too!” 😂 I score some great finds @ thrift & consign stores but it often takes me a while before I get them put into the places where I can enjoy/use them! I found a lovely metal garden-like table already painted white with sweet butterfly detailing weeks ago! Alas…it is still sitting in my laundry room just waiting to be placed in the perfect spot! It will happen, but often not as quickly as I mean for it too!! 🤪

    • Michele
      Author
      February 22, 2024 / 5:33 am

      Hahaha – there is always a purgatory for treasures found, yes? So much rich symbolic meaning for that we decide to resurrect, transform or integrate into our lives. Curating and collecting are all a part of the creative life some of us draw energy from. There are all of these underlying sensibilities thrifty folks share – we are very bothered by wastefulness, we are energized by “potential” or how little becomes much, and we understand when pieces, poetry, pets, or plenitude “find” us. (How many times have I heard myself say “this beautiful thing somehow found its way to me…”)

      • Amy
        February 22, 2024 / 8:42 am

        YES times 1,000!!!! I feel all those things and couldn’t have said it better myself!! Treasure purgatory😂…perfectly describes where some of my treasures end up for a time!! Will be using that phrase going forward! 🥰AND now that I think on it…both my parents were very the same way! My dad accumulated things that could be useful down the road and my mother was always repurposing things in a new way…and not being wasteful one iota! Thrifty folks UNITE!!!! 😆

  3. Lauralee
    March 6, 2024 / 12:55 pm

    It’s always a little “vacation” to read your posts–love them! I just redid the built-in shelves in our living room and it took 4 weeks! Partly because I had to paint everything 3 times (no deets on that!) I was a little impatient to finish because of all the stacks of stuff sitting round, plus ladders, etc. in there. My husband kept saying, “Is there a deadline?” No, not really, but the chaos and eagerness to see the finished product was wearing on me. 😉 I had been thinking about this project for a very loooooong time and was so close and yet so far from seeing results. One thing I have been thinking about for years is painting our piano. Did you paint yours yourself!?! If so, any advice? Thank you so much for all you do to brighten our days!

    • Michele
      Author
      March 7, 2024 / 1:19 pm

      I’m so glad you’re here! Bravo on that heroic painting project. I actually enjoyed doing ours, but I did have a bit of help with priming from my husband. We removed all the shelves and placed them on the floor where he primed as I primed and primed and primed the rest before several coats of paint. Yes, I painted our piano back in 2007 and need to repaint. Lightly hand-sanded, sprayed on de-glosser and wiped off, then a few coats of BM White Dove mixed with some plaster to make it chalky. Sealed it with a creamy clear furniture wax since I didn’t want it to look glossy or new. Very easy project and did it again in our vacation home. That piano is safely living in my folks’ house so I get to play when I’m there, and my mom plays it daily. 🙂

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Let’s SHOP!

White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing