Since Austin and I moved in to our first home last Summer, decorating has not been an easy process. Between both of us working full time jobs (and writing for The Teacher Diva), furniture being delayed, and my indecisive nature, it’s been pretty frustrating.

While cost always plays a big part in decorating, I figured I would start with pieces that can be found at your favorite home store or even a flea market making it easy and achievable.

While this is just a small part of our home, I felt like there are many easy ways to spruce up a small space. These are some of the little things that make our living room a happy (and cozy) place to be.

1. Accessorize

I am a firm believer in the details. Our coffee table is pretty simple, so I wanted to search for gold, black and white accessories. This gold vase (from Target last year- here is the newer version), gold spike urchin, python tray were there perfect touch. In my opinion, every coffee table needs a tray. The styling options are endless. I have been guilty of switching ours up way too often. I just get excited for a little change!

I loved how it all came together with our new Pottery Barn Couch. This neutral look is just what we wanted for our living room!

2. Pick Up Some Fresh Flowers

While fresh roses may not always be the most budget friendly option, they sure do know how to make any room look pretty. I also am loving the fig leaf trend, and found these leaves at Trader Joe’s. I love the pop of green on my mantle and having these fresh roses really made my home feel inviting. My favorite place to pick up some fresh blooms has to be Trader Joe’s. They are by far the cheapest and always have plenty of options.

3. More Books Please! 

If there is one thing I love to buy (or receive), it’s coffee table books. My husband, Austin, thought I was crazy at first, but now he has accepted my need for collecting, bright and colorful books. The crazy thing is none of these books are new. I always buy on Amazon and just search for the “good condition” option. All that really matters to me is that the cover looks nice and clean. Books aren’t always cheap, so I like to buy a few every other month until I have my desired look. Some on my list include this, this, and this!

4. Candles

Call me crazy, but I get very excited about new candles. I find any excuse to find a good fragrance and packaging is just as important. I have always been a fan of the Anthropologie Volcano Candle, but recently I found this version at Target (only $10) and it smells identical. I couldn’t pass it up! It doesn’t hurt that the packaging is cute too. My Carpe Diem candle is also yummy and gives off a very fresh and clean smell. It’s a great home fragrance for Spring & Summer.

5. Pattern Play

Mixing patterns is something that people tend to be scared of. Whether it’s in your wardrobe or at home, I think it’s a fun way to add texture and life to your look. I have loved these leopard pillows, and finally made the purchase over the holidays. I paired them with these black pillows and love the way they look on our new couch. I added the python tray to mix up the print and kept everything else pretty simple. I am still on the fence about this lampshade, but I do like the texture. Thoughts? Pops of color were needed and I chose to incorporate those through books, books, and more books! Oh, and how cute are these little cheetahs in this print?

I would love to hear what you do to keep your home looking pretty! I am always looking for inspiration.

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