Mood Board: Adding Personality to Plain Rooms

This post is sponsored by Birch Lane.

Recently, I revived a decorating help service in my Instagram Stories that I used to do several years ago called Decorating SOS. It’s one of my favorite ways to give back to y’all as a way to say thanks for being here.

I wish I could take on more and do these more often, but it’s always so much fun to flex the design muscles while giving some of y’all new perspectives in the rooms that “stump” you.

And since Birch Lane is having a Friends and Family Sale right now (August 9-13), I pulled together some mood boards using some of my favorite pieces up to 40% off to inspire some ideas for adding personality to a space.

Here are a few of the plain rooms you guys asked for help with.

How to Add Personality to a Plain Room

Guest Bedroom Decorating Ideas

I love making a guest bedroom especially feel like a hotel room with relaxing colors, since that’s usually a crowd-pleaser. Painting this guest bedroom a refreshing cool green would definitely achieve that while adding some personality to the space.

Furniture

This classic wingback bed looks like something straight out of a luxe hotel room (and it’s hard to beat the price). Matching bedroom sets can feel too monotone, so mixing things up by using this black stained dresser with these natural washed nightstands adds depth. This accent chair nestled in the corner would add a pop of color and pattern.

Decor

Whenever a room has an off-centered window, I like to balance it with a full length mirror. This olive tree and ceramic vase add some much needed organic life. I always like to provide a ceiling fan in a guest bedroom for guests to have their own climate control, so I’d swap the current ceiling fan with this modern white fan. These black ceramic lamps ground the space and would help the room feel more balanced.

Textiles

A framed rug fragment adds great pattern and texture (or you can make your own rug art here). Even though the bedroom has carpet, I still love layering a patterned rug on top for more interest. These geometric throw pillows add just enough pattern without feeling overwhelming. And you can’t go wrong with a hotel duvet set in a guest room.

Teen Girl Bedroom Decorating Ideas

Since we painted our girls’ bathroom this mauve pink, I’m completely hooked on this shade! It feels grown up and youthful at the same time, which is perfect for a fast growing teen girl.

Furniture

You can change the vibe of the room simply by swapping out the metal headboard for this rattan headboard.

I love the vanity/desk placement; this desk could conquer both while providing more storage. A taller vertical mirror here would add some height to balance the window. This wooden mirror has such a cute shape for a feminine room. And this patterned skirted chair is a sweet little upgrade for a vanity area.

Something like these wooden nightstands would provide a little more concealed storage.

Decor

A pair of bigger lamps would help the room feel more balanced. And these colorful art pieces would be a fun pop to make a statement on the blank wall behind the headboard.

Textiles

This patterned rug has so many great subtle colors in it to tie everything together. This blue striped duvet set is an easy way to add some extra personality.

Dining Room Decorating Ideas

If you’re willing to be daring, color drenching this dining room in a bold, historical color would make a great statement in here. (Or doing a contrasting trim to show off the wainscotting, if painting the entire room feels too daunting.)

Furniture

If space allows, I would move the existing china cabinet or place a pair of china cabinets along the back wall so the room feels more centered. The existing table looks like the perfect size and adds good contrast with the dark stain. You could add upholstered chairs on the ends of the table and mix in wooden dining chairs for some variance.

Decor

The current chandelier looks rather small and is hung too high for the big room, so I would swap it out for a larger statement making modern chandelier. (Choose a chandelier that is half to two-thirds the width of the dining table. Hang it about 36 inches above the table for the correct height.)

This subtle rug has a subtle pattern and warm colors to add interest. I love using an indoor/outdoor rug under a dining table because it’s very easy to clean in case of food spills. Finally, add a vase of greenery, keep the tree in the corner near the window, and flank the china cabinet(s) on the back wall with some classic art.

Entryway Decorating Ideas

This plain beige wall could really pop with a beadboard wainscotting painted in an interesting color like this dusty blue.

Furniture

A chest would look great against this wall (and provides some extra storage). Hang a brass mirror above the chest with a cozy lamp on top to bounce more light into the room for a nice welcome at the front door.

It’s hard to tell what is opposite from this wall, but if there’s a good space for it, a cushioned bench is a good idea for dropping off shoes. This coat rack is nice for guests to drop off jackets.

Decor

This space wouldn’t need much, but a patterned rug with some pop of color would make the simple space more interesting. Pull colors from the rug to use as paint inspiration on the beadboard.

Hang some vintage landscape art for a dose of serenity, a vase of greenery, and a few sentimental family photos, and you’re all set.

navy living room decorating ideas mood board

Loft Living Room Decorating Ideas

This looks like it could be a great relaxing spot, so a deep navy would feel cozy, calming, and could still behave like a neutral when used within view of other neutral painted rooms.

Furniture

I would place a comfy sofa against the railing instead and place the pair of bookcases with a TV stand in between them on the opposite wall. This wood coffee table would center the room and add some texture. To save space, these small end tables work well for placing drinks or small items.

In the corner where the TV stand currently sits, I would place an accent chair for a reading nook. Flank it with a floor lamp. You would still have the flexibility to move the chair into the TV area if many people are congregating in the room.

Decor

This geometric blue and neutral rug would be great against the navy walls without feeling overwhelming. Linen curtains hung ceiling to floor would soften the space. And this landscape art on the wall above the TV between the bookcases would be a great finishing touch.

Sale Picks

You can see my top favorite picks from the Birch Lane Family & Friends Sale here (that has fast & free shipping). Anything you would do differently to change up these rooms? Even just paint, a rug, some curtains, and a great light fixtures can do so much even without anything else changed.

You can see some of the Decorating SOS design ideas I saved to my Pinterest board for solving common decorating hangups.

I hope this helped! I wish I could have taken on all of the submissions, but maybe we can do another one again in the future. Deal?