
Transform Your Living Space: Top 10 Home Styling Tips
, by Mathew Tyack, 11 min reading time
, by Mathew Tyack, 11 min reading time
If you’ve been thinking about freshening up your home but don’t know where to start, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you live in a bright, airy apartment, a classic Aussie house with a picket fence, or a sleek modern home, styling your space can completely change how you feel about it. And, let’s be honest—who doesn’t love a home that feels fresh, welcoming, and uniquely your own?
The good news? You don’t have to spend a small fortune or undergo a major renovation to achieve a stylish and inviting space. Simple, thoughtful changes—like updating your decor, playing with colours and textures, or introducing new accessories—can completely transform the look and feel of your home.
In this post, we’ll dive into 10 practical home styling tips that are both easy and affordable. We’ll also highlight how to make the most of pieces from Xanadu Living, an Aussie favourite for beautiful, budget-friendly home decor. Let’s get your space feeling fresh and fabulous, shall we?
Every room benefits from a hero item—a standout piece that draws attention and adds personality. It doesn’t have to be huge or expensive; it just needs to make a statement. This could be a piece of bold artwork, a unique sculpture, or a vibrant sofa that catches the eye as soon as you walk in.
A statement piece adds character and gives the room direction. For example, if you’ve got a neutral colour palette, an oversized abstract painting in rich blues and oranges can completely change the energy of the space. Or, you might go for a modern armchair or a vintage sideboard that serves as the room’s focal point.
When styling, always start with your statement piece and build around it. This way, everything in the room will feel connected, and the space won’t feel like it's fighting for attention.
Tip: Xanadu Living has a stunning collection of canvas artworks that could be your perfect statement piece, whether you’re after something abstract, coastal, or botanical.
Textures are key to creating a space that feels comfortable and inviting. Just like fashion, you can play with different materials to add interest and depth. Think about pairing a soft linen cushion with a textured wool rug, or layering a chunky knit throw over a sleek leather lounge. Contrast between materials adds warmth and dimension to any room.
Textural contrast makes a space feel “lived in,” which is why it’s one of the easiest ways to upgrade your styling. For instance, mix and match smooth velvet cushions with a woven jute rug to balance luxury with earthy texture.
Xanadu Living’s range of homewares includes stylish ceramic vases, woven baskets, and faux fur throws, all of which are perfect for layering and introducing subtle textures.
Tip: Keep your textures cohesive. If you're using a variety of materials (like wood, metal, or fabric), try to maintain a similar colour scheme to avoid overwhelming the space.
The colours you choose for your home have a significant impact on its overall feel. A well-thought-out colour palette can make a room feel more spacious, calming, or energising.
Start with a neutral base: soft whites, greys, beiges, or even light browns. Then, add in a few accent colours that bring your space to life. This could be a burnt orange cushion, forest green plants, or blue-toned decor like throws and artwork. A cohesive colour scheme ensures everything in the room feels intentional and coordinated.
A tip? Don’t be afraid of a bold accent colour—just make sure it’s used sparingly. Too much of one colour can overwhelm the space, but a few key pops here and there can make a room feel dynamic and lively.
Xanadu Living has a range of collections that feature cohesive colour schemes, such as their neutral collections that beautifully pair natural tones with contemporary accents, allowing you to bring in subtle hints of colour without clashing.
Tip: If you’re unsure where to start, look at your existing furniture. Pull out accent colours from your sofa or rug to tie your palette together.
You might be surprised by how much a clean, clutter-free environment can improve your mood and the overall feel of your home. Removing unnecessary items or tidying up can make a room feel more spacious and serene. This doesn’t mean you need to get rid of everything—just focus on eliminating visual clutter that distracts from your styling choices.
Creating functional zones is also important, especially in open-plan living areas. Use rugs or furniture to subtly define spaces. For instance, a large, plush rug can separate the living area from the dining zone, while a stylish console table can define your entryway.
At Xanadu Living, you’ll find plenty of storage solutions like floating shelves, decorative baskets, and sideboards that help keep things organised without sacrificing style.
Tip: Donate or sell things you don’t need or use. It’s amazing how much better a space feels when you clear out what no longer serves you.
Lighting can make a huge difference to the atmosphere of any room. Natural light is ideal, so make sure to keep windows unobstructed. If you’re working with limited light, mirrors can help reflect what you’ve got and make the space feel brighter and more expansive.
Once the sun goes down, layer your lighting to create a cosy and functional environment. Use ambient lighting for general illumination (think ceiling lights), task lighting for reading or cooking (think table lamps or floor lamps), and accent lighting to create mood (think candles, fairy lights, or feature lamps).
Xanadu Living has a beautiful collection of pendant lights, table lamps, and floor lamps that blend form and function, creating ambient lighting with a touch of style.
Tip: Consider dimmer switches so you can adjust the light depending on the time of day and the mood you want to create.
It’s no secret—plants bring life to any room. They purify the air, add pops of colour, and make a space feel fresher and more inviting. If you’re new to plants, start with something easy to care for like a snake plant, peace lily, or succulent.
If you’re not the gardening type, you can also go for faux greenery—there are plenty of realistic-looking options these days that still add that same vibrant touch without the need for watering.
Xanadu Living offers stylish planters and vases to display your greenery in. Whether you go for a sleek ceramic pot or a rustic woven basket, the right planter can complement your interior style perfectly.
Tip: To add more visual interest, vary the height and size of your plants. Place taller plants in corners and hang trailing plants from shelves or the ceiling.
Adding vintage or upcycled items to your space is one of the best ways to create a home that tells a story. It’s about blending the old with the new—whether that’s using an inherited antique alongside modern furniture or upcycling an old piece of furniture with a fresh coat of paint.
Mixing eras and styles gives your home character and prevents it from feeling like a showroom. If you have old items you don’t want to part with, consider reimagining them in a new light—like turning a traditional coffee table into a unique side table or adding modern accessories to an antique shelf.
Xanadu Living offers a great range of modern furniture that pairs perfectly with vintage pieces, allowing you to strike a balanced look between contemporary and classic.
Tip: Don’t be afraid to upcycle old pieces or mix in second-hand finds. This adds personality and often results in a more unique and meaningful space.
A home should feel like you—your personality should shine through in every room. This could be anything from a collection of your favourite books, family photos, souvenirs from your travels, or a set of heirlooms you love.
The key is styling these personal items so they don’t feel cluttered. Think about using floating shelves, gallery walls, or shadow boxes to display your treasures in a way that feels curated, not chaotic.
Xanadu Living’s decorative trays, photo frames, and small sculptures can help you incorporate personal items into your space while keeping things stylish and organised.
Tip: Rotate your personal items every season or as you collect new items. It keeps things feeling fresh and reflects your evolving style.
Just as your wardrobe changes with the seasons, so should your home. Seasonal styling is an easy way to keep your home feeling fresh without major overhauls. In the colder months, bring in warm throws, textured cushions, and darker tones. In summer, lighten things up with linen cushions, beachy decor, and pale colours.
Xanadu Living’s seasonal collections make this even easier. Their carefully curated pieces help you switch up your decor effortlessly, no matter the time of year.
Tip: Store off-season items like heavy throws and winter cushions in labelled bins, so they’re ready to rotate next year.
Home styling is an art, not a science. While there are plenty of tips and tricks, ultimately, you should trust your instincts. If you love something, make it work. If a particular colour scheme or piece of furniture feels right to you, go for it.
At the end of the day, your home is a reflection of you. Don't be afraid to experiment, rearrange, and change things up as you discover new things you love.
Xanadu Living’s wide range of home decor options makes it easy to experiment with different styles and elements until you find what truly works for you.
Tip: Don’t worry about “perfecting” your home—home styling is all about expressing yourself.
Styling your home doesn’t have to be a major undertaking. With a bit of creativity and a few smart choices, you can completely transform your space into something that feels fresh, functional, and uniquely yours. Whether you’re in the mood for a big overhaul or just want to freshen up a few key pieces, these 10 home styling tips will help you get there.
For Aussie homeowners looking for quality, affordable decor, Xanadu Living is the place to go. Their range of stylish and practical pieces can help elevate your home, whatever your personal style may be. Explore their collections and start bringing your dream home to life.
Use multi-functional furniture, keep your colour palette light, and use mirrors to create the illusion of space. Vertical storage options are also great for saving room without cluttering your space.
Start with a cohesive colour scheme, choose statement pieces, and layer textures. Use styling guides (like this one!) and shop for decor that suits your personal taste.
Aussies are embracing natural materials like rattan, linen, and timber, with earthy colour tones and a preference for sustainability. There’s also a growing love for minimalistic but warm interiors that feature plants and unique decor.
Swap out small accessories like cushions and throws, add a new rug, rearrange your furniture, and introduce a few plants. These simple changes can make a world of difference.
Absolutely! DIY projects like painting old furniture, creating custom wall art, or upcycling furniture can give you that modern look. Pair your DIY items with pieces from Xanadu Living to balance out the style.