This past weekend I spent quite a bit of time switching my closet from winter to spring and summer. This meant taking down all of the warm clothes and coats, safely putting them away for later, and bringing out all of the clothes that have been hidden. Trust me, the “where the heck are my shorts?” search from a few weeks ago made me frustrated enough to just finally get it over with. And, by the way, I did find the shorts…finally. But what does that have to do with any of this? Well, let me tell you.

I made a gigantic disaster of my bedroom in the process. It was disrupted for hours. And after all was said and done, I felt like everything was simplified, refreshed, and new. Why not keep that theme going by making other changes to my space? Look, on the daily, my (and yours probably is too) Instagram is flooded with photos with such stylish homes and spaces that I get envious. Not me trying to take a mirror selfie from the weird corner near the door so you can’t see anything but the wall because I don’t think my home is stylish. So I went in search on the internet for inspiration and tips from stylish people on how to make my apartment cooler. These are the ones I want to copy right now.

Layered Artwork

I finally just figured out how to make the perfect little gallery wall, and now I’m thinking about how to bring in dimension and make everything less “done” by layering my artwork. Let’s be honest, hanging artwork is a nightmare sometimes. Having to get it aligned and hung properly can get frustrating. Layering, on the other hand, just means placing them on a dresser, nightstand, or shelves in varying patterns. Just choose different sizes, scales, and frame textures to make an inviting, cool statement. Plus, the art inside is easily changed out this way versus having to remove them from the wall. A real win/win if you get bored easily.

Keep the Special Elements

There isn’t really a reason to get rid of the special, sentimental pieces in your life. As long as they make you happy or can be used as part of your everyday routine, they shouldn’t be considered clutter. In fact, not only do they matter to you, but they can be incredibly stylish. You love them after all and you bought or kept them for a reason. Whether it’s a vintage candy dish from your grandmother, something you thrifted, or picked up on a trip, the things that make you happy are always in style. They can even make mundane household objects like sponges look and feel cool too. If you can utilize them in new ways, why not?

Add Greenery

I love the idea of fresh flowers more than I like the practice of having them. But greenery on the other hand can be fake or requires much less maintenance than flowers. They last longer and still look great. You can make them look cool by varying their sizes and plant types. Greenery brings nature inside and you don’t have to worry about purchasing new ones each week unless you really can’t resist a bouquet at Trader Joe’s. Then go for it. I, for one, appreciate the fake ones that don’t even need water so I don’t have to worry about forgetting!

Show Off Your Books

If you’re an avid reader, this one is a no-brainer for you. You’re probably already doing it and have them displayed by color or theme or even just your favorites. I, on the other hand, have a huge collection of coffee table books. Not just any coffee table books but fashion, design, and even travel. These books, no matter what kind, can easily fill up spaces and add character because they showcase your interests and personality. There’s no need for a built-in shelving unit, this is your chance to add a cool, unique bookcase or start using your coffee table to display them.

Less Is Definitely More

At the end of the day, the saying is true - less is more. There isn’t a need to overcrowd spaces and not every corner needs to have something in it. Not even a chair. The old adage applies - when you get dressed, remove one accessory before you leave. When decorating, or redecorating a room, take a look around and remove one thing and then see how you feel. This is incredibly beneficial if you have a smaller home or apartment like I do. Less clutter or things can make space feel much bigger than it is. Plus, there is less frustration trying to find things and you don’t run into unnecessary furniture either!