How a simple home can be made to look like homes shown?

I think THE one thing that stands out in those pretty homes is the lack of clutter -- no/few personal photographs, papers, few knick knacks, no fake flowers, and etc.

When I sold my home, a stager/stylist came thru --- she took everything off of my shelves --- and then "went shopping" in what I had. Only use about 1/2 of your items. Give the rest away. (someone else may enjoy them --- and you'll enjoy the uncluttered look)

Hi. There are all sorts of TV shows and youtubes that show just what you're wanting. Good luck!

Actually, most of us furnish our homes with thrift store treasures. Almost everything I own is used. And almost every blogger that I know does this. We just pull it together through use of color and style. Since I love color, I can add different styles and they work because I use a limited color palette. Other people love farmhouse, so they stick to neutrals.

Paint is always the best thing to use. It's cheap and works miracles.

I don't think you need an interior decorator to have a pretty home. Many things in my home are thrift, garage sale, and or side-of-the-road finds. Use Hometalk and Pinterest to find ideas and make it your own.

there used to be a show on hgtv that did just that. then it evolved to complete renovations. color splash was one such show.

My house is just about all hand me down, DIY, thrift store or garage sale stuff and furniture my dad made me. I have no problem putting it together. I have a lot of stuff from my parents and grandmother, plus a few nice gifts from friends over the years, so I rotate it in and out over the year by season or holiday. Take a class or peruse Pinterest or other social media sites and study how they group things. I am partial to a more casual style and use odd numbered items, 3, 5, 7, etc. Rather than a balanced or formal arrangement. Most people make the mistake of trying to put out all their belongings and decor pieces at once, which creates a jumbled, cluttered look with no place for the eye to rest. You can just Google and learn basic design techniques including color combos, lighting, furniture placement, rugs, etc.

The older I get, the less "stuff" I want out. I don't want to spend the rest of my life constantly dusting things, I do enough of that as it is.

Pick your style and then start looking at what others have done in your choice. Use their pictures for inspiration. There is some great advice already here.

I think you can make a beautiful home by painting your walls a light color, add thrift store finds that have been painted or updated, and simplify. Go through your home and give away what you don't use and start with a clean pallet. Not all of us live in a fancy house but if you're looking for a simple update, go neutral and simple. It won't cost much to brighten up your home.

You should upload some pictures of your home and you would get tons of great advice.