How to Apply Capsule Wardrobe Techniques to Home Decor

If you’ve been reading for a while, you know that part of my “live simply” philosophy is having a modified capsule wardrobe. But did you know you can apply capsule wardrobe techniques to home decor?

I love this approach for the same reasons that I love capsule wardrobing! You end up with quality, versatile items, spending less overall because you’re not always replacing things. Yet have the freedom to mix things up and add personality regularly using smaller touches and accessories.

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For those unfamiliar, a capsule wardrobe is essentially a smaller collection of well-thought-out clothing items designed to combine easily. Some of the basic tenets are to:

• create a coordinated color palette based on neutrals
• spend more money on items that are used the most
• keep things current by adding color, pattern, and trends

How to Apply Capsule Wardrobe Techniques to Home Decor

There are three ways that you can apply capsule wardrobe techniques to home decor when you are designing or remodeling your home.

1. Select Your Color Palette

As a first step, you’ll want to select a color palette that you build your rooms around. Ideally, these will be neutral tones that will allow you to add accessories and accent items in a variety of colors so that you can change things up over time or with the seasons.

You will want to use these colors on things that are large and expensive to change in your home. Think flooring, tile, cabinetry, and countertops. You don’t need to limit yourself to just one of these colors, you can use several together for more interest.

Woods are predominantly neutral but take care to select woods that have the same undertones as the rest of your neutral palette.

Warm Red Undertones	Neutral Brown Undertones	Cool Gray Undertones

If you’re designing a home from scratch, using the same neutral color palette with give an amazing feel of continuity to your home. If you are remodeling and going through room by room, take care to think of the “big plan” so that over time, your room transitions become more harmonious.

2. Assess What Areas Get the Most Usage and Spend Accordingly

If you have pets or small children, your floors will likely take a beating. Regardless of whether your choose carpet, tile, or hardwood, spend here to get the best finish you can afford based on your household use.

With regard to furnishings, sofas, beds, and home office furniture often get hard and regular use. Again, purchase quality and keep these pieces neutral.

When it comes to things like side chairs and occasional pieces that get little wear, consider giving them the bold treatment below. Discount retailers often have some great bargain pieces or you may come across something at resale. If you find a great price, you won’t feel guilty about passing a piece along after a couple of years.

3. Add Colors, Patterns, and Trends

Now for the fun part! Start adding two or three accent colors or a pattern. Whether you like to change your rooms out seasonally or just mix things up every few years, a number of areas lend themselves well to this piece of the puzzle. Typically, you want items here to be relatively low-cost and easy to replace/install. Think:

• paint or self-adhesive wallpaper
• rugs
• pillows
• throws
• bedding
• towels and bathmats
• window treatments
• decorative accents like candles, books, etc.

Even some furniture pieces can fall into this category. Maybe you have an amazing thrift store find that would be a great accent piece with a coat of paint? Or maybe you have a piece that can be self-reupholstered (like a dining chair or bench) or use a slipcover? Get creative – neutrals don’t have to be boring!

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Tell me about yourself in the comments! Did you live in a home you designed or have you gone through and remodeled an existing house? Do you prefer a cohesive look throughout the home or for each room to have its own theme/color scheme?

Until next time…