When it comes to decorating your home, there really aren’t hard-and-fast answers. Decorating is personal, subjective, and meant to reflect the people who live in the space. Our guiding principle is simple: do what you love so you return to a home that makes you smile.
If you’re unsure what you love, look for inspiration everywhere: magazines, websites, artwork, jewelry, or even packaging. A single item—a painting, a pair of earrings, or a soap box—can spark a color scheme or a design direction for a room. Use that spark as a starting point and adapt it to your space.
We don’t come from formal design or construction backgrounds. We learned by doing, updating our house on a budget and sharing the progress along the way. That experience taught us a lot—mostly through mistakes—and it helped us learn practical, low-cost ways to make rooms feel better. If you’re fixing up a home without formal training, we totally understand the trial-and-error approach: a little elbow grease, experimentation, and persistence go a long way.
One more important rule: don’t do something just because someone else suggested it. Our tips—whether about paint, rugs, or layout—are meant to be starting points. Design is flexible and there are many successful ways to approach a room. Consider recommendations, try them out, and adapt what works for your tastes and lifestyle.
That said, some decorating questions spark debate. Below are our takes on eight common dilemmas—guidelines you can use or ignore depending on what feels right in your home.
Controversial Question #1: Can your living room rug be shorter than the length of your sofa? Generally, we like rugs to extend a few inches beyond the sofa on both sides so the arrangement feels anchored. In smaller rooms with a sofa and a chair, a 5 x 8 rug often works; for larger seating groupings—a sofa with a loveseat, two chairs, or a sectional—an 8 x 10 rug usually defines the space best. That said, exceptions exist: rugs that are slightly shorter than the sofa can still look great if the overall balance and layout are right. If you’re unsure, try a few options and see which one feels best in the room.
Controversial Question #2: Should large upholstered pieces be kept neutral, or can you choose bold colors and patterns? We tend to favor classic, neutral upholstery and add color with accessories—pillows, art, and small accents—so it’s easier and cheaper to update a room later. A few colorful accents can dramatically change the mood without a major investment. However, vibrant sofas or patterned chairs can absolutely work and sometimes become the defining element of a room. The best choice depends on how committed you are to a look and how often you expect to change it.
Controversial Question #3: Do all the frames in a room have to match? Matching frames can create cohesion and make it easy to move artwork between rooms, which is why we often use white frames throughout our home. But mixed frames—different colors, finishes, and styles—can produce an eclectic, collected-over-time look that’s charming and personal. Choose whichever approach complements your collection and the room’s mood.
Controversial Question #4: Do wood pieces have to match? No. Matching wood furniture often reads as show-roomed and flat. Mixing wood tones, finishes, and materials adds depth and character—creating a layered, interesting space that feels more personal and lived-in.
Controversial Question #5: Must all hardware and fixtures match? Not at all. Matching hardware can look tidy in small, contained areas like a compact bathroom or a kitchen, but mixing metals—brass, nickel, bronze—can add richness and personality when done thoughtfully. Layering finishes is a design choice that can elevate a room when balanced well.
Controversial Question #6: Should trim throughout the house be the same color? Consistent trim color, like crisp white, creates cohesion and a fresh look. But varying trim—dark wood in one room, white in another—can also be striking and appropriate for different styles or architectural details. Ultimately, choose what enhances each room and reflects the overall feel you want in your home.
Controversial Question #7: Can you put an area rug over wall-to-wall carpeting? Yes. Area rugs over wall-to-wall carpet can define seating areas, add texture, and anchor floating furniture. This combination works in living rooms, bedrooms, and seating nooks—just make sure the rug size and placement support the arrangement visually.
Controversial Question #8: Besides paint, what’s the biggest way to transform a space? Curtains. Well-chosen window treatments dramatically change a room’s scale and feel. Floor-to-ceiling curtains can make windows—and rooms—feel taller and more architectural. Switching or upgrading curtains is a relatively simple update with a big visual impact.
Those are our perspectives on a few commonly debated decorating rules. There are always exceptions and plenty of room for personal interpretation. What rules do you break in your home, and which ones do you follow religiously? Share your thoughts and the choices that make your space feel like yours.