Decorating your home with intention and purpose can breathe new life into forgotten treasures gathering dust. Unearthing cherished items from the depths of closets and storage creates space for you to thoughtfully display pieces that spark joy and elicit fond memories. Curating your home with deliberation helps transform it into a sanctuary reflecting your style, values and personal history. Follow these tips to thoughtfully unbury your prized possessions and decorate with intention.

Take Stock of What You Already Have

The first step to decorating with intention is taking inventory of what you already own. Raid storage areas, rummage through boxes in the basement and peek into the back of overstuffed closets. You likely have long-forgotten items that could have a second life if displayed with purpose.

As you unearth mementos and beloved objects, consider:

• Sentimental pieces like old family photos, handmade gifts from the kids, travel souvenirs. These very personal items reflect your memories and relationships.
• Items connected to your interests such as favorite books, musical instruments, sports equipment. Incorporate these to decorate a space that feels like you.
• Quality furniture and decor you’ve acquired over the years but failed to find a home for. Vintage case goods, an inherited rug, unused artwork.
• Collections you once displayed but boxed up in a move. Showcase select pieces in a curio cabinet or on shelves.

Take notes and snap photos as you take stock of possessions to inspire how to best put them on display.

Designate Spaces for Display

Once you’ve unearthed an array of beloved objects, assess your home for spaces to thoughtfully exhibit your finds.

Consider places like:

• Entryway: Make the first impression reflect your personality with a console table displaying collected items.
• Living room: Fill bookshelves with curated books, photos and art objects.
• Dining room: Use a hutch or shelf to showcase cherished china and serveware.
• Hallways: Have fun with gallery walls or floating shelves to exhibit art and other treasures.
• Bedrooms: Create peaceful retreats using personal mementos and meaningful accessories.
• Home office: Surround yourself with inspirational pieces as you work.
• Kitchen: Use wall space or open shelving to rotate favorite ceramics for display.

Think creatively about how to transform even small or overlooked spaces like landings, niches or walls behind sofas into impactful vignettes.

Edit and Curate

With storage areas excavated and display spaces identified, now thoughtfully curate what you’ll exhibit. Avoid clutter by editing your finds and selecting only your most beloved items. Ask yourself:

• Does this spark joy or elicit a fond memory?
• Is this a high quality, well-made piece?
• Does this represent my interests or style?
• Do I have a special place to display this?

Be choosy and keep only those objects that pass the test. If drawn to an item for purely sentimental reasons, consider photographing it and keeping just the photo on display.

Aim for grouped vignettes of 3-5 related objects. A trio of silver candlesticks, a pair of bookends flanking favorite novels, three black and white family photos in matching frames. Thoughtful curation creates cohesiveness and visual impact.

Create Displays with Intention

Now comes the fun part – play interior designer with your curated selections to create displays with purpose. Follow these tips:

Hang art salon-style:

Fill a wall with a cluster of paintings, prints and photos. Unify with same-sized frames and mats.

Make it personal:

Incorporate handmade items, kids’ artwork, old photos and travel mementos to add personality.

Take inventory of surfaces:

Use console tables, shelves, sideboards and hutches to display treasured pieces.

Elevate moments and memories:

Feature sentimental items like wedding photos, birth announcements, souvenirs.

Showcase collections:

Make it cohesive by displaying one type of object together, like seashells or antique books.

Rotate seasonal decor:

Keep favorite items fresh by swapping out fall, winter, spring and summer accents.

Add drama with height:

Stack books and stagger larger objects behind smaller ones on shelves.

Incorporate natural greenery:

Snip a few stems from your garden or yard to add life to vignettes.

Use books indecorating:

Fill shelves with bindings facing out; stack horizontally or vertically. Leave space for bookends or objects.

Light it up:

Use lamps or install discreet lighting above or inside displays to highlight treasured finds.

With a thoughtful approach, you can transform your home into a feel-good reflection of what matters most. Surrounding yourself with purposefully exhibited treasures elicits joy and memories every day.

Frequently Asked Questions About Decorating with Intention

Decorating your home with intention using cherished possessions can be deeply rewarding, but also raises common questions. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

How do I decide what to display in my home?

Focus on pieces with personal meaning, that showcase your interests or reflect your style. Be selective and display only your most beloved items. Keep clutter at bay by limiting vignettes to 3-5 cohesive objects.

What are good ways to display family photos?

Showcase photos in matching frames grouped together on a wall or console. Make a memory book of framed pictures on coffee and side tables. String a clothesline in the hallway or stairwell to hang photos with clothespins.

What should I do with sentimental childhood items I want to keep?

Set aside a cabinet, bookshelf, or even a shadowbox to thoughtfully display a few special childhood mementos. Or incorporate one cherished item into a vignette, like displaying a beloved doll on a chair in a bedroom corner.

How do I decorate my shelves and bookcases?

Mix books, photos and collected objects. Stack horizontally and vertically, using bookends and taller items in back. Incorporate meaningful travel, hobbies or nature-related pieces. Keep to a color scheme and items of similar height.

How can I display collections without looking cluttered?

Edit selections and showcase only your very favorite pieces. Group items with something in common, like color, era, or theme. Keep them cohesive by displaying together, not scattered about. Limit to one collection area; avoid too many competing displays.

What are ways to use frames in decorating?

Upcycle frames you already have by inserting meaningful photos or artwork. Paint old frames one color to unify. Arrange eclectic frames in gallery style on a wall. Lean frames against bookshelves or on console tables. Display collections in matching shadowboxes.

How should I decorate small or awkward spaces?

Use corners, niches and walls behind furniture for one special piece or a very small vignette. Floating shelves are great for squeezing things in without taking up floor space. Console or sofa tables behind seating make use of inactive areas.

How can I incorporate nature into my home’s decor?

Display favorite houseplants in cachepots matching your decor. Use natural elements like dried flowers, branches, or seashells in vignettes. Create a memory or inspiration board with pressed leaves and flowers. Float flowers in a bowl or hang air plants in macrame.

Conclusion

Decorating your home with intention using items you already own can be deeply rewarding. Take time to unearth forgotten treasures from the depths of storage and display your most cherished pieces throughout your home. Thoughtfully curate selections to avoid clutter. Create vignettes and displays that elicit joy, inspire you and share your memories with visitors. Surround yourself with the things you love to create a personal sanctuary reflecting your style, interests and life experiences.

Decorate With Intention: Unbury Your Treasures

Decorating your home with intention and purpose can breathe new life into forgotten treasures gathering dust. Unearthing cherished items from the depths of closets and storage creates space for you to thoughtfully display pieces that spark joy and elicit fond memories. Curating your home with deliberation helps transform it into a sanctuary reflecting your style, values and personal history. Follow these tips to thoughtfully unbury your prized possessions and decorate with intention.

Take Stock of What You Already Have

The first step to decorating with intention is taking inventory of what you already own. Raid storage areas, rummage through boxes in the basement and peek into the back of overstuffed closets. You likely have long-forgotten items that could have a second life if displayed with purpose.

As you unearth mementos and beloved objects, consider:

• Sentimental pieces like old family photos, handmade gifts from the kids, travel souvenirs. These very personal items reflect your memories and relationships.
• Items connected to your interests such as favorite books, musical instruments, sports equipment. Incorporate these to decorate a space that feels like you.
• Quality furniture and decor you’ve acquired over the years but failed to find a home for. Vintage case goods, an inherited rug, unused artwork.
• Collections you once displayed but boxed up in a move. Showcase select pieces in a curio cabinet or on shelves.

Take notes and snap photos as you take stock of possessions to inspire how to best put them on display.

Designate Spaces for Display

Once you’ve unearthed an array of beloved objects, assess your home for spaces to thoughtfully exhibit your finds.

Consider places like:

• Entryway: Make the first impression reflect your personality with a console table displaying collected items.
• Living room: Fill bookshelves with curated books, photos and art objects.
• Dining room: Use a hutch or shelf to showcase cherished china and serveware.
• Hallways: Have fun with gallery walls or floating shelves to exhibit art and other treasures.
• Bedrooms: Create peaceful retreats using personal mementos and meaningful accessories.
• Home office: Surround yourself with inspirational pieces as you work.
• Kitchen: Use wall space or open shelving to rotate favorite ceramics for display.

Think creatively about how to transform even small or overlooked spaces like landings, niches or walls behind sofas into impactful vignettes.

Edit and Curate

With storage areas excavated and display spaces identified, now thoughtfully curate what you’ll exhibit. Avoid clutter by editing your finds and selecting only your most beloved items. Ask yourself:

• Does this spark joy or elicit a fond memory?
• Is this a high quality, well-made piece?
• Does this represent my interests or style?
• Do I have a special place to display this?

Be choosy and keep only those objects that pass the test. If drawn to an item for purely sentimental reasons, consider photographing it and keeping just the photo on display.

Aim for grouped vignettes of 3-5 related objects. A trio of silver candlesticks, a pair of bookends flanking favorite novels, three black and white family photos in matching frames. Thoughtful curation creates cohesiveness and visual impact.

Create Displays with Intention

Now comes the fun part – play interior designer with your curated selections to create displays with purpose. Follow these tips:

Hang art salon-style:

Fill a wall with a cluster of paintings, prints and photos. Unify with same-sized frames and mats.

Make it personal:

Incorporate handmade items, kids’ artwork, old photos and travel mementos to add personality.

Take inventory of surfaces:

Use console tables, shelves, sideboards and hutches to display treasured pieces.

Elevate moments and memories:

Feature sentimental items like wedding photos, birth announcements, souvenirs.

Showcase collections:

Make it cohesive by displaying one type of object together, like seashells or antique books.

Rotate seasonal decor:

Keep favorite items fresh by swapping out fall, winter, spring and summer accents.

Add drama with height:

Stack books and stagger larger objects behind smaller ones on shelves.

Incorporate natural greenery:

Snip a few stems from your garden or yard to add life to vignettes.

Use books in decorating:

Fill shelves with bindings facing out; stack horizontally or vertically. Leave space for bookends or objects.

Light it up:

Use lamps or install discreet lighting above or inside displays to highlight treasured finds.

With a thoughtful approach, you can transform your home into a feel-good reflection of what matters most. Surrounding yourself with purposefully exhibited treasures elicits joy and memories every day.

Frequently Asked Questions About Decorating with Intention

Decorating your home with intention using cherished possessions can be deeply rewarding, but also raises common questions. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

How do I decide what to display in my home?

Focus on pieces with personal meaning, that showcase your interests or reflect your style. Be selective and display only your most beloved items. Keep clutter at bay by limiting vignettes to 3-5 cohesive objects.

What are good ways to display family photos?

Showcase photos in matching frames grouped together on a wall or console. Make a memory book of framed pictures on coffee and side tables. String a clothesline in the hallway or stairwell to hang photos with clothespins.

What should I do with sentimental childhood items I want to keep?

Set aside a cabinet, bookshelf, or even a shadowbox to thoughtfully display a few special childhood mementos. Or incorporate one cherished item into a vignette, like displaying a beloved doll on a chair in a bedroom corner.

How do I decorate my shelves and bookcases?

Mix books, photos and collected objects. Stack horizontally and vertically, using bookends and taller items in back. Incorporate meaningful travel, hobbies or nature-related pieces. Keep to a color scheme and items of similar height.

How can I display collections without looking cluttered?

Edit selections and showcase only your very favorite pieces. Group items with something in common, like color, era, or theme. Keep them cohesive by displaying together, not scattered about. Limit to one collection area; avoid too many competing displays.

What are ways to use frames in decorating?

Upcycle frames you already have by inserting meaningful photos or artwork. Paint old frames one color to unify. Arrange eclectic frames in gallery style on a wall. Lean frames against bookshelves or on console tables. Display collections in matching shadowboxes.

How should I decorate small or awkward spaces?

Use corners, niches and walls behind furniture for one special piece or a very small vignette. Floating shelves are great for squeezing things in without taking up floor space. Console or sofa tables behind seating make use of inactive areas.

How can I incorporate nature into my home’s decor?

Display favorite houseplants in cachepots matching your decor. Use natural elements like dried flowers, branches, or seashells in vignettes. Create a memory or inspiration board with pressed leaves and flowers. Float flowers in a bowl or hang air plants in macrame.

Conclusion

Decorating your home with intention using items you already own can be deeply rewarding. Take time to unearth forgotten treasures from the depths of storage and display your most cherished pieces throughout your home. Thoughtfully curate selections to avoid clutter. Create vignettes and displays that elicit joy, inspire you and share your memories with visitors. Surround yourself with the things you love to create a personal sanctuary reflecting your style, interests and life experiences.