 | | March 1, 2026 |  |
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| Take a look around your home. Is there a farmhouse table in the dining room, a traditional sofa in the living room, industrial lighting in the kitchen, and a coastal-style bed frame in the bedroom — even though you're a long road trip away from an ocean? None of those elements is bad on its own. Together, however, they fail to tell a cohesive story, and the result feels unfinished. |
 | | Credit: Hans/ Unsplash+ |
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| That's why your home needs a theme. Establishing a clear design direction is one of the simplest ways to elevate your space — no remodeling required. A theme isn't about committing to anything gimmicky (no Trading Spaces-style stunts) or turning your home into a matchy-matchy showroom. It just means your choices are intentional, not random. |
| How To Establish a Theme for Your Home |
| According to interior designer Hans Lorei, establishing a theme starts with choosing seven to 10 elements that you love and that look good together. More importantly, those elements should reflect how you want to feel in your space — perhaps relaxed, warm, dramatic, or elegant. Rather than decorating room by room, consider the big picture by thinking of the house as a whole. |
| These elements could include: |
| • A type of wood (walnut, oak, cherry) |
| • A material (terra-cotta, wrought iron) |
| • A window treatment (wood blinds, Roman shades) |
| • A metal finish (brass, nickel, copper) |
| • A fabric (linen, velvet) |
| • An architectural period (art deco, midcentury modern) |
| • An accent color (blue, oxblood, green) |
| • A recurring shape (round, tall/tapered) |
| To keep things interesting, pull your inspiration from a few different categories. Ultimately, though, this is your home, so choose the elements that resonate with you the most. These are now your baseline, guiding every decorating decision going forward. |
| Next, move through your home and introduce two to three of your chosen elements into each room. There's no need to jam every item into every space; you just want enough to create continuity. Use furniture, lighting, hardware, art, textiles, and decor to bring the theme together. |
| Over time, your rooms will begin to relate to one another, making your home feel more cohesive. It'll make decorating easier too, since you'll know what fits your theme and what doesn't. |
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| *This content is brought to you by our sponsor, which helps keep our content free. |
 | | Better Homes & Gardens Aster Drink Table | | This under-$60 drink table is a stylish way to introduce the elements of walnut, brass, and white marble into your space. Standing 22.25 inches high with a 9.5-inch-diameter surface, it weighs just over 10 pounds — making it easy to move from the sofa to your favorite wingback chair. Best of all, no assembly is required, so it's ready to use right out of the box. It's the perfect place to rest a cup of tea, a scented candle, or a tiny bud vase. — Kelsey Morrison, House Outlook Editor |
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| We independently evaluate all recommended products and services.
If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. |
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| Megan McCarty is a Los Angeles-based writer who covers the fun stuff: design, travel, wellness, beauty, and fashion. She has written for publications including Domino, The Spruce, MyDomaine, Bustle, and Rue Magazine. Her life rules include, but are not limited to, zipper when merging, contribute to your IRA, and do the nice thing. |
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