9 Easy Home Décor Upgrades I'm Making in 2021

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(Image credit: Anna Routh Barzin)

A little over a year ago, my husband and I built and moved into our first house. It was a whirlwind, to say the least, as we also had to furnish it in its entirety. Going from a two-bedroom apartment into a four-bedroom house after getting rid of everything is quite the undertaking, and I didn't have a lot of time to think about little details such as what we were actually going to put on the coffee table, and what to do about the areas of blank wall that need something.

Now that I'm home all the damn time, I'm definitely noticing things we need around the house more and have been on a mission to make those small upgrades that make a big impact. If you're like me and can't even explain the excitement you feel when you get a new throw for the couch or a new plant (even though it may or may not survive the winter), you've come to the right place. Keep scrolling for all of my low-effort, high-impact home décor upgrades that are currently in progress. 

Swap Out Boring Chairs for Fun Ones

The impact that swapping out a chair can make is kind of amazing. I had one in my office that didn't really suit the space in size or aesthetic. I swapped it out for this groovy little chair, which I love getting to look at every day.

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(Image credit: @allypayer)

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Make the Switch to Linen Sheets

I'm always surprised by how much people love linen sheets, so I finally tried a set for myself (specifically, this Bed Threads set). I think I get it now. They're remarkably breathable and so much softer than they look. Plus I've learned to love the rumpled look.

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(Image credit: @allypayer)

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Invest in Mature (or Faux) Plants

Large plants may not come cheap, but they're certainly cheaper than artwork. I've been working on filling blank wall space with greenery as of late. I don't have the greenest of thumbs though, so I'm seriously contemplating making some of the faux.

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(Image credit: Anna Routh Barzin)

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Add Colorful Tabletop Accessories

I tend to lean pretty hard into neutrals when it comes to home décor, so I'm making an effort to add more colorful accents to wake things up a bit. It's a great way to refresh your space without spending a lot of money.

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(Image credit: Anna Routh Barzin)

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More Coffee Table Books

As you know, coffee Table books add tons of personality to a home. I'm constantly on the lookout for beautiful ones that are also enjoyable to flip through.

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(Image credit: @allypayer)

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Add Cozy Accents in Unexpected Places

A living space can always stand to be a little cozier—especially mine as the ceilings are high and the floors are wood. I've been adding pillows and throws to places as random as the mudroom, and it's made a big difference.

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(Image credit: Anna Routh Barzin)

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Replace the Old Dishtowels

Pops of color in the kitchen goes a long way—especially in my very gray kitchen. Something as small as a dishtowel adds personality and fun to the most utilitarian of spaces.

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(Image credit: Anna Routh Barzin)

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Repurpose Vases

When I don't have flowers to fill my favorite vases, I don't want them to just sit around collecting dust, so I've been brainstorming new ways to display them. My favorite hack at the moment is to fill them with matchbooks. Functional and chic.

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(Image credit: @allypayer)

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This post was previously published and has since been updated. 

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Allyson Payer
Senior Editor

Allyson is a senior editor for Who What Wear. She joined the company in 2014 as co-founder Katherine Power's executive assistant and over the years has written hundreds of stories for Who What Wear. Prior to her career in fashion, Allyson worked in the entertainment industry at companies such as Sony Pictures Television. Allyson is now based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She holds a BFA in theater. Her path to fashion may not have been linear, but based on the number of fashion magazines she collected as a child and young adult, it was meant to be.