How To Plan A Home Décor Upgrade To Avoid the ‘Ad Hoc’ Trap!

If you’re dreaming of a home that feels beautifully curated rather than cobbled together, you’re in the right place. Here’s your step-by-step guide to planning a home décor upgrade that’s as intentional as it is inspiring. 

Let’s be honest, upgrading your home décor can feel a bit like falling down a Pinterest rabbit hole. One minute you’re browsing for a new coffee table, and the next you’ve impulse-bought a neon flamingo lamp that doesn’t match anything. Sound familiar? But with a little planning, you can create a cohesive, stylish space that evolves gracefully over time (without the chaos of mismatched purchases).

Home Décor Planning Step 1: Research and Inspiration 

Before you buy a single cushion, take a moment to dream. What kind of vibe do you want your home to have? Cosy and calming? Sleek and modern? Playful and eclectic? 

My Top Tip: Use Pinterest to create mood boards for each room. Follow home influencers on Instagram or TikTok who share your aesthetic. Save what speaks to you and you’ll start to see patterns emerge. 

(Canva)

Home Décor Planning Step 2: Make a Plan of Action 

Now that you’ve got the vision, it’s time to get practical. 

Set a Budget (Per Room). Be realistic about what you can spend. You don’t need to do it all at once—this is about thoughtful upgrades over time. 

Choose Your Starting Point. Living rooms and kitchen-dining spaces are great places to start because you’ll enjoy the changes every day. Alternatively, starting with a guest room or office can be less disruptive and a great way to experiment with your style. 

Write Down Your Priorities and Timeline. This will help you stay focused and avoid those tempting but off-theme purchases.

Home Décor Planning Step 3: Choose Your Colour Palette 

A cohesive colour scheme is the secret sauce of a well-designed home. The 60:30:10 rule is one of the best ‘hacks’ in the designer’s tool kit.  

• 60% – Your dominant colour (walls, large furniture) 

• 30% – A secondary colour (rugs, curtains, accent chairs) 

• 10% – A pop of colour (cushions, artwork, accessories) 

For example, in a warm neutrals scheme: 

• 60% soft beige 

• 30% warm greys or muted terracotta 

• 10% brass or olive green accents 

Stick to your palette across rooms for a seamless flow, even if each space has its own personality.

(Canva) 

Room-by-Room Guide – Warm Neutrals Edition 

Ready to bring your vision to life? Here’s how to create a cohesive warm neutrals home, room by room, with some Furniturebox favourites to get you started. 

Living Room Décor Planning

• Sofa: Go for a plush, cream or taupe fabric sofa like our Fleur Cream Fabric 2 Seater Sofa, perfect for lounging in style. 

• Coffee Table: Choose a light oak or marble-effect table for that quiet luxury feel. Try our Amy Solid Wood Round Coffee Table. 
• Accessories: Add texture with boucle cushions, a chunky knit throw, and a jute rug.

Dining Room Décor Planning

• Dining Table: Our Novara round wood-top dining table with black legs pairs beautifully with our Halle taupe soft upholstered dining chairs. 

• Lighting: A statement pendant light like our Lola modern sputnik ceiling light in brushed brass adds warmth and elegance. 

• Finishing Touches: A ceramic vase with dried pampas grass. Instant chic.

Master Bedroom Décor Planning

• Bed Frame: Opt for an upholstered bed in a soft oatmeal fabric. Our Hana upholstered bedframe in cream is a dream. 

• Bedding: Stick to layered neutrals. Think ivory sheets, a taupe duvet, and a textured throw. 

• Storage: Dark wooden bedside tables and chests of drawers with brass handles will add a rich contrast to the lighter bed. The Ivala sideboard drawers and Taylor bedside tables tick all theses boxes.  

• Accessories: Artwork and dried grasses with elements of all the colours in your furniture will pull the room together.

Children’s Bedroom Décor Planning

• Furniture: Keep it simple with white or light wood pieces that can grow with them. Our Declan solid pine single beds are a customer favourite.  

• Decor: Add warmth with soft lighting, neutral-toned bedding, and playful textures like a fleece beanbag or armchair like our Teddy boucle armchair. 

• Storage: Wooden drawers and sideboards can keep both clothes and toys tidy. Try our matching Svit oak effect wooden sideboard and drawers.

Study / Office Décor Planning

• Desk: A minimalist wood desk with black metal legs fits the Japandi-meets-warm-neutral brief. Check out the Kendrick oak-effect desk.  

• Chair: Choose comfort and style with a fabric or faux leather office chair. The Centro beige velvet office chair looks great with the Kendrick. 

• Ambience: Add a soft rug and a warm-toned desk lamp to make working from home feel luxe. I’ve gone with our Lucinda arc floor lamp and Quartz beige marbled rug. 

Download Our Handy Home Mover’s Checklist 

We’ve created a simple checklist to help you plan your furniture and style a cohesive, beautiful home – download it here! 

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