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The Best Room Decor

Last updated on March 20, 2022

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Many of us have fun playing dress-up as kids. When it comes time to decorate your home, you can think of it in much the same way: You’re essentially dressing up the space that you live in. Of course, this version of dress-up can be a lot more expensive, and there are many more things to consider than whether the fabrics are sparkly. Still, it’s important to keep that childlike sense of play.

Obviously, there’s no definitive “best” when it comes to a piece of room decor. A rug that works for one room might clash horribly in another. The first and most important thing to do is to define your sense of style. Yes, it’s nice to find things that will impress your guests, but it’s far more important to find things that speak to you. “Home” is a puzzle, and every piece of furniture and art in your house is a piece of it. Start combing through Pinterest and Instagram for ideas, and create a portfolio.

Most importantly, find a color scheme for each room. Psychologists and designers alike will tell you that the hues in a room can definitely affect your mood. Bright, neutral colors like white or beige won’t just make the room feel larger. They can soothe and soften, and they’re easy to decorate with — which makes them perfect for living rooms and kitchens. Reds, oranges, pinks and colors on the hotter end of the spectrum can spark a sense of warmth and energy in exercise rooms or playrooms. Blues and greens are more relaxing, which means they are ideal for the bedroom.

After you’ve got a general aesthetic in mind, start getting practical. Take measurements of every room and have them handy when it’s time to pick out those big pieces of furniture. Those measurements include ceiling height as well as length and width, and don’t forget to measure the doorways and hallways too. (Don’t get your heart set on that spacious couch until you’re sure you can get it into the house.)

Most often, those main pieces of furniture will be the focal points of the room. In the living room, that’s going to mean the couch. In the dining room, get the table set up (or at least picked out) before you start thinking about curtains and wall art. In the bedroom, of course, everything needs to complement the bed. In short: Get the big stuff in place before you start sweating the small stuff.

Every room has its own challenges, but the kitchen and bathroom need to lean toward the functional. The kitchen, of all spaces, needs to look cohesive. It’s a place that already tends to get messy, so make sure that you use your storage space wisely. Resist the temptation to put too many fragile items near the stove or on the kitchen island, and don’t put up pictures with glass framing unless you want to spend extra time wiping off grease. In the bathroom, you’ll also want to maximize your storage and minimize the decor. A little goes a long way when you’re in a small space. And if you want to make that small space look bigger, consider bigger mirrors and plenty of lighter hues.

Our Picks For The Top Room Decor

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Product Overview
Our Take
  Top Pick

Maylit Remote Control TV Backlight Strip Room Decor

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

Maylit

Remote Control TV Backlight Strip Room Decor

These strip lights will backlight your TV and turn it into the centerpiece of the room. They're easy to install with adhesive strips and can be configured to fit a variety of TV sizes. They can be set to turn on along with the TV, and a separate remote lets you change colors.

Overall Take

Striking Screen AccentsAnyone can give their TV a glowing upgrade with these easy-to-install lights.

  Runner Up

Andecor Velvet Pile Area Rug Room Decor, 3 x 5

Andecor

Velvet Pile Area Rug Room Decor, 3 x 5

This shaggy, soft area rug feels as good as it looks. It's surprisingly lightweight but the friction spots at the bottom help prevent slippage. It comes in different sizes, which work equally well for a kids' play area or living room. It's an easy-care item with a foam backing.

Overall Take

Light But CozyYou'll want this soft, lightweight, shaggy rug in any room that needs a homier feel.

  We Also Like

EAGMAK Water Absorbent Ceramic Coasters Room Decor, 8-Count

EAGMAK

Water Absorbent Ceramic Coasters Room Decor, 8-Count

The marbled look to these chic coasters makes them a great fit for almost any type of kitchen decor. As for usability, they fit the bill in terms of toughness and slip resistance (thanks to a cork base). There's also a handy, minimalist holder for when the party's over.

Overall Take

Classy and Compact for CupsThese ceramic coasters with a marbled design hold drinks without slipping.

  Strong Contender

KMAT Anti-Fatigue Kitchen Mats Room Decor, 2-Count

KMAT

Anti-Fatigue Kitchen Mats Room Decor, 2-Count

These memory foam mats offer more than just a patterned "pop" to your kitchen decor. The polyvinyl material cushions your feet when it's time for cooking or dishwashing. What's more, they achieve this while keeping a thin profile so busy cooks don't trip on their edges.

Overall Take

Save Your FeetStand in comfort on these thin yet plush mats — they're functional and fun.

  Also Great

GBtroo Rustic Wood Bathroom Storage & Display Tray Room Decor

GBtroo

Rustic Wood Bathroom Storage & Display Tray Room Decor

The "nice butt" quip on the front will bring make bathroom visitors smile, but it's not the only eye-catching thing about this rustic, wooden tray. The box is just the right size for two mason jars with one soap dispenser top and flowers (included) plus rolls of toilet paper (not included).

Overall Take

Whimsical and WoodyBrighten up your bathroom decor with this sturdy, whimsical box.

What to Look For

It used to be a given that your couch would be situated against a wall. Not anymore: “Floating” furniture is increasingly a given now that open floorplans have become more common. When your dining room, living room and kitchen don’t have walls to separate them, you’ve got a lot of extra freedom to let your furniture set the boundaries for each of those areas. You can also use area rugs or plants to help you subtly define your zones. Just remember, an open floorplan isn’t much use if you can’t get around easily.

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