How to Shop Your Own Home: A Fresh Take on Styling with What You Already Have

One of the most transformative (and budget-friendly!) design tools we love at Storied Interiors is the simple act of shopping your own home. Before heading out to buy something new, we always encourage clients to take a fresh look at what they already own. You might be surprised by the beautiful pieces waiting to shine in a different room. Whether you're looking to refresh a tired corner, change the vibe in your living room, or just fall back in love with your space, here's our step-by-step guide to reimagining your home with what you already have.

Step 1: Clear the Space Start by removing all accessories and taking down artwork in the room you want to refresh. This gives you a blank slate to see the space with fresh eyes. It might feel a little bare at first, but that's the point! Letting the room "breathe" helps you see possibilities instead of just the current setup.

Step 2: Rethink the Furniture Layout Now's the time to play with arrangement. Ask yourself: does the current furniture placement serve the way you actually use the room? Is there something too bulky or not being used that could be swapped out? Don't be afraid to "borrow" from other parts of your home. Maybe that spare bedroom chair would look perfect in your living room, or the dining area could use a beautiful old dresser for extra storage and character.

Step 3: Curate Your Art With the furniture in place, look at your artwork with new eyes. Consider bringing in a piece from another room or hanging things in unexpected ways. You might even discover that a favorite print you’ve had in the hallway deserves a spot in the spotlight. (And stay tuned for our upcoming blog post with smart, stylish tips for hanging art!)

Step 4: Layer in Accessories Thoughtfully Now for the fun part: pillows, throws, lamps, vases, and small decorative items. Bring pieces back into the space slowly, choosing only what adds beauty, function, or a sense of joy. You might find that leaving a surface a little more open actually gives your space a fresh, simplified feel.

Step 5: Bring the Outdoors In Don’t forget to step outside and see what nature has to offer. A bowl of beach rocks or seashells, a sculptural piece of driftwood, or a few fresh-cut wildflowers in a vase can bring organic beauty and a sense of place into your home. Even a few stems can make a stunning statement.

Step 6: Edit and Enjoy Don’t feel like you need to use everything. This is your chance to be selective and intentional. What makes the space feel good? What no longer fits? Styling your home is a creative process, and editing is a powerful tool.

Shopping your own home is one of the easiest ways to refresh your space without spending a dime. It’s sustainable, personal, and surprisingly inspiring. So take a look around—you might already have everything you need for a whole new look.

Have you ever tried shopping your own home? We’d love to see your before and afters!

Want more styling inspiration? Follow along at @storiedinteriors for design tips and before-and-afters from real homes here in Homer, Alaska.

A Storied Transformation: Zoe's House Remodel, Part 1

Sometimes a house has a deeper story to tell. Zoe’s little cottage in the heart of Homer had been in our family for nearly 25 years as a rental. I’d always dreamed of giving it a full refresh, and when Zoe decided to move in, we finally got the chance to reimagine it completely—making it truly her.

This remodel was also a complete family affair. My husband Chris, Zoe’s dad, did all the drywall work himself, applying a fresh skip-trowel texture throughout the home. It gave the walls a soft, clean finish that felt both elevated and appropriate for its coastal location. Zoe’s grandpa Norm joined in to help install the new kitchen cabinets, interior doors, and closets—including a reworked closet off the living room to extra pantry space and a creative utility closet that fits extra shelving, her vacuum, and even a small freezer truly making the most of this smaller living space.

Zoe and I rolled up our sleeves to paint the entire interior of the house together—a labor of love that truly made the space feel like hers.

From there, we chose a neutral paint palette with a very light cream on the walls throughout, with a semi-gloss white on the trim and interior doors that kept the home feeling light and open. For now, we chose sheer white curtains—an affordable option that worked perfectly with the decorating budget and lets in as much natural light as possible (a must in small-space Alaskan living). Down the road, we may upgrade to something more tailored, but for now, they do the job beautifully. It’s a great reminder that budget-friendly choices can still feel intentional and stylish while leaving room to evolve over time.

One of the joys of working on a small home like this is how intentional each decision needs to be. Every finish, color, and layout choice matters. Zoe’s cousin John who is a carpenter, installed the vinyl plank flooring for us in a medium tone with a blend of grey & brown color which was perfect to bring warmth and grounding to a space with very light walls.

We also installed all new windows, exterior doors, and swapped outdated trim and fixtures. One of our favorite finishing touches in the living room? Painting the interior side of the exterior doors a rich charcoal. It’s a small detail, but it gives the living room a grounded, custom feel.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where we dive into how we designed this home for real life—with a kiddo, pets, and a love for hosting.

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See our before and after pictures of the living room.

Home Styling vs. Home Staging: What’s the Difference?

If you’ve ever wondered what the difference is between home styling or staging, and which you need—you’re not alone! These two services sound similar, and they both involve arranging furniture and decor, but they serve very different purposes. At Storied Interiors, I offer both, and today I’m breaking down what each one really means, and how to know which is right for your space.

Home Styling: Making Your Home Feel More Like You

Home Styling is all about helping you love the space you live in. Whether you’ve just moved into a new home or you’ve lived in it for years and want a refresh, styling brings new life to your rooms by reworking furniture, art, and accessories you already have—or helping you find new pieces that fit your style and needs.

Sometimes you don’t quite know why you don’t love your space, or how to make it look and feel the way you see others homes or the spaces in a magazine, but you just don’t quite know how to create that ‘feel’ that you are looking for.

Home styling sessions are relaxed, collaborative, and full of small “aha” moments—like moving a chair to the other side of the room and realizing it changes everything. It’s about comfort, function, and beauty. It’s also a great fit if you’re stuck in decision fatigue and just need a fresh eye and a little guidance to move forward.

Think of it as a creative partnership, designed to help you enjoy your space more fully. And yes—it works just as well virtually as it does in person.

Home Staging: Prepare to Impress (and Sell!)

Home Staging, on the other hand, is about preparing your property for sale. It’s strategic and buyer-focused. The goal is to make your home as appealing as possible to a broad range of potential buyers—and help them imagine themselves living there.

During a staging consultation, we walk through your home together and identify ways to highlight its best features, remove visual distractions, and improve flow. You’ll get a clear, actionable plan that you can follow to get the home ready for photos, showings, and ultimately, a successful sale for top dollar.

Staging is not about making the home “perfect”—it’s about making it feel open, inviting, and memorable.

So Which Do You Need?

Ask yourself:
→ Am I staying or selling?
→ Do I want to love my space more, or do I want someone else to fall in love with it?

If you’re living in it and want help making it work better for you, go with Home Styling.
If you’re planning on listing it for sale, it’s time to consider Home Staging.

At Storied Interiors, I believe good design should be approachable, personal, and practical—no matter the stage of home you’re in. Whether we’re styling your space for everyday functionality and living or staging it for a new beginning, I’m here to help tell your story beautifully.

📩 Want to schedule a consult or learn more? Email me here.