17 Foolproof Decorating Tips for People Who Hate Decorating

Want your house to look great, but cringe at the thought of actually having to do the decorating yourself? Not everyone’s a designer, but – with a little preparation and a few tricks – anyone can have a space they’re proud of. From ways to get laser-focused to quick home decor projects that make a big impact and a few other gems in between, I’ve rounded up some go-to tips to make decorating as painless as possible for even the most reluctant decorator.

Brian McCourt is a contractor, design expert and co-host of HGTV Canada’s Backyard Builds.

couple sitting on carpet in white loft, looking at color samples

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Have a Plan

Before we go any further, I have to ask: do you actually hate decorating? Or is it more that you don’t like feeling overwhelmed by a blank slate (or white wall)? If you’re in the second camp, I recommend taking the time to strategize your home decor game plan: set goals, make a budget and map out the types of changes you want to make. A plan makes the whole process way more manageable – and if you really do hate decorating, it will make it go by way quicker.

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One Room at a Time

Plan or not, if the procrastination is real when it comes to updating your home, break things down into small chunks. Start with one room – whether it’s a bigger impact room like the kitchen or a smaller space like the powder room – and focus on that until it’s complete. With a win under your belt, you’re more likely to get the decorating bug (or you can just hang out in that one really nice room as much as possible).

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Pick a Palette

Trying to use too many colours in a room can leave it looking like a toddler’s finger painting – fun and interesting on the fridge, but not exactly a long-term design win. Choose a colour palette with a few harmonizing shades – and maybe an accent colour – to make decorating choices easier.

grey armchair and footrest in front of tiled fireplace with pillow, blanket soft rug on the floor

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Comfort Comes First

Sometimes, we get so wrapped up in how a room looks that we forget how it’s actually going to function – which can be a big mistake! When designing rooms in your home, it’s never a bad idea to bring a level of comfort into the space. Try mixing in a variety of cozy textures in the living room or adding soft, plush accent rugs on hardwood flooring.

retro and vintage interior of sitting room with design sofa, tables, lamp, bookstand, blanket and mock up poster frame gallery on the white walls

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Style in Focus

Another way to simplify home decorating? Pick a style and stick to it! Picture different design styles like “rustic cabin,” “industrial inspired” or “Scandinavian minimalist” to help guide your design choices.

white living room with wood furniture, tropical leaf in vase, books, white clock and elegant accessories

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Clear the Clutter

Sometimes the easiest way to decorate is just to get rid of the junk – you’d be surprised at how good your existing furniture may look once they’re free of the dusty knick-knacks and random piles of paper.

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Learn From a Master

When it comes to decorating, there’s nothing wrong with being a rookie. If hiring a decorator is out of your budget, see if you can bounce ideas off a stylish friend or look for tutorials in books, magazines or online. Here are a few DIY tutorials for inspiration.

white living room with sofa, coffee table, pillow, blanket, big tropical plant and striped rug

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Less, For More

I see it all the time: people hear the word “decorating” and their eyes glaze over with visions of shelves stuffed with knick-knacks and layers upon layers of throw pillows. The thing is, decorating doesn’t have to be complicated – less can definitely be more – and you don’t have to fill every single bit of space with decor. Try picking one statement-making item (like a bold rug) and let the special piece breathe by keeping its surroundings simple.

modern white kitchen with two pendant lights over kitchen island

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A Light Touch

Never underestimate the power of lightening up. Changing or adding a lighting element levels up the design factor of a space – both through the look of the fixture and the way the light impacts the overall mood of the room. An extra tip? If you have the space in the kitchen, opt for two larger pendant lights over the kitchen island (rather than three smaller pendants) for a more dramatic lighting selection.

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Double Up

Decorating isn’t always just about the aesthetics. Finding pieces that can do double duty (that is, they look great, but also serve a secondary function like seating, storage or comfort) will help make your home more inviting, tidy and decorated – like this comfy banquette with lower storage that Sarah DIY’ed for this Backyard Builds study area.

white and turquoise nursery with blue curtains

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Treat the Windows Right

Speaking of double-function decor, here’s a friendly reminder to remember your windows! Whether you go with blinds, drapes or black-out curtains, window coverings are an easy way to enhance the design of a room while also giving privacy and blocking out light – like these vibrant blue curtains in this Save My Reno nursery.

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Green Sheen

Stumped by a bland, boring room? Bring it to life with a little… life. Indoor plants instantly add a pop of colour and freshness to even the starkest interior – and they might even help put you in a better mood. Thumbs not exactly green? Try one of these easy-to-care-for indoor plants. Not a lot of light in your space? Give one of these low-light-loving plants a go.

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Step Outside

I’m obviously a big fan of a backyard transformation, but that doesn’t mean you have to overhaul your yard to make it fun and functional. Start with the basics: clean up your area (the great outdoors are, after all, the home of dirt and debris), add some seating and a planter or two to mix in some colour and natural beauty. Want a simple project to spruce up your space? Sarah and I put together a few backyard planter DIY ideas for you.

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Go Classic

If decorating truly isn’t your thing, chances are you’re not going to be dying to do it again anytime soon. If that’s the case, it’s a good idea to avoid anything too trendy and stick to timeless design choices – details like a curated bookshelf, bright kitchen and tasteful antique table will never go out of style. Here are my picks for design trends you won’t ever regret following.

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Map It Out

Fine art definitely isn’t for everyone – but there are plenty of ways to add colour and design to your walls without turning to paintings or pictures. Consider hanging things like unique maps, mirrors or sculptural art on the walls – or check out these other unusual wall art ideas here.

Polka dot poster on a dark green wall in a scandinavian style white bedroom interior

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Print Perfection

Feeling bold? Picking a print (a classic print like these polka-dots or stripes is a safe best) and incorporating it into a few elements in a room makes a stylish statement, but is actually super simple to execute.

white bathroom with matte black fixtures

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Match Game

A little of this, a little of that? When it comes to decorating a smaller space like the bathroom, using the same (or if you really want, a maximum of two) types of fixtures instantly amps up the sophistication without extra effort. The matte-black fixtures, shower rod and vanity hardware in this Save My Reno bathroom are a sleek example of using one shade for a cohesive contrast look.