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Singular by Sense of Spencer · Aug 27, 2026

A Guide to Decorating a New Home — Part I

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Singular by Sense of Spencer · Singular by Sense of Spencer

In recent years a number of friends have bought homes for the first time and are essentially starting from scratch. I’ve sent one off sources or resources to help them out, but I’ve been wanting to put everything in one place for a while. So, I created this guide to furnishing a new home to send to any friends who are moving in the future. Save it for when the time comes or pass along to a friend who's currently in the thick of it.

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This is for people who are decorating a new home on their own. Decisions have to be made quickly before moving in – painters/contractors are booked; things need to be ordered; a home has to start somewhere. Some pieces are making the move, but it’s also a chance to upgrade and do things right – choosing pieces that are specific to the space and made to last. But, the choices are overwhelming – no one becomes a design expert overnight, and there’s a real fear of making a costly mistake, especially after spending a life’s savings on a house.

Those are all the concerns I would have if (no, when!) I buy my first home. This is the advice I’ve told friends and would tell myself.

  • Embrace slow decorating - A home accumulated over time ultimately is so much more interesting and personal. When you add pieces layer by layer, your home develops a clear identity and tells your story vs. buying things quickly just for the sake of filling the space which always rings hollow. Living in the home also gives you time to learn what serves the space rather than trying to force big decisions before you’re ready.

  • Start with a solid foundation - I advise people to invest in timeless pieces for things like rugs, sofas, and curtains. They will give you immediate comfort and coziness right away and will never go out of style. They’re strategic too. Solid neutrals will play nicely with unique elements you introduce down the line.

  • Layer in details - Charles Eames said, “The details are not the details. The details make the design.” All the little intentional elements from art to lighting to decor transform a basic space into a living, breathing home. This is where I’d spend most of my energy, going room by room.

  • Save the big swings for later - Home is never complete. When you have more head space, time, and budget, you can make bigger updates whether they're decorative like putting up wallpaper or functional like adding bookshelves. Along the way, you can invest in forever pieces like furniture and art when you find them.

Part I focuses on essential pieces you’ll need to sort out pre-move-in and basics you’ll probably want to refresh when you move. Part II is about making the home your own with finishing touches for every room in the house. Make sure you’re subscribed to get Part II in your inbox.

Let’s dive in!

These are the decisions you don't have the luxury of sitting with. But getting these right sets the tone for everything else.

As I’m sure you’ve heard before, paint can be utterly transformative — even if it’s just a fresh coat of white. For starters, it can make the whole space feel clean and new. Also, the right shade of white can warm up a room and make everything look better. I’m not a paint color expert so I’m turning to people who are.

Before you start buying things, it pays to understand your new space. A pro can provide a room layout — what furniture works best and in what configuration — plus measurements you can use as a guideline when shopping for furniture, rugs, and more.

The previous owners may have taken the light fixtures with them, or you might simply want to update what's there. I think of ceiling and wall lighting like jewelry for the room; they can make the outfit so to speak. So, they’re definitely worth investing in. Here are options for a range of budgets.

You’d never think something as small as hardware could have a major impact, but it does – precisely because you use pulls, knobs, racks, faucets, light switches, and the like every single day. Even if you can’t redo a whole kitchen or bathroom right away, swapping out the hardware is an instant upgrade.

Maybe your space asks for a bigger sofa, or your old one has had it. This is your excuse to get a well-made, comfortable sofa with the correct dimensions for the new space. I recommend a white slipcover sofa. Before you wonder, 'but won't it get dirty?' — that's exactly why the slipcover works: it's washable. I have small kids and wash mine often to keep it looking brand new. Plus, the white will work with anything you pair with it in the future.

There’s a lot of personality you can introduce with a rug, but for starting out, it’s a good idea to go with a neutral option — specifically, one made of natural fibers. The texture will add depth, but just as importantly, the color — or lack thereof — won’t compete with more characterful elements you introduce down the road.

Especially in bedrooms and primary living spaces, there might be an urgency to add window treatments right away for privacy and sun protection. When you’re up against it, going for a classic option is safe but doesn’t sacrifice style, and there are options at every budget — from custom curtains and shades to blinds you can buy on Amazon.

Shades

Curtains off the shelf

Custom

A new bedroom might be an opportunity for a bigger bed frame, or simply a more grown-up one. You could go for a neutral bed that you can customize around down the road — for instance, a white headboard that can go up against any wallpaper or an iron canopy you can add panels to. Or start out with a bolder choice like a custom fabric — you just have to be mindful that you will need to be able to work around it in the future. For instance, checks and stripes are a sure bet because they’re typically easy to mix and match.

Custom beds/headboards

Canopy

Wood frame

Nothing contributes more to a well-rested night of sleep than a good mattress. There are so many mattress brands that have raised the bar in recent years — many offer trial periods, and easy returns if it's not the right fit.

Once the big stuff is handled, these are the everyday touches worth refreshing to instantly make the new house feel homier.

In order of priority right behind the mattress is having a duvet that you love. I shared my search for the best duvet here (wild that this is one of the top-viewed articles about this topic!), but I’ll cut to the chase – my favorites are below.

  • Down Duvet Insert (Boll & Branch) - This duvet is heaven. I use it during the colder months and am the coziest bug in a rug. It’s so warm and feels like lying on a cloud.

  • Vintage Washed Comforter Set (Boll & Branch) - I switch over to this comforter in spring/summer. It’s a little lighter, and I love that it’s all-in-one (no struggling to get the duvet in the cover and can make the bed in under 30 seconds).

While you’re at it, you might want to consider refreshing your sleeping pillows. For a more decorative touch, you can layer more pillows like standard shams or Euro shams onto your bed to make it look more complete.

When you move, you should definitely treat yourself to new sheets to mark the fresh start. You can never go wrong with high-quality, white sheets — I wrote a whole blog post comparing white sheets. For a low-risk, low-investment way to add personality, try patterned sheets or even just shams.

White

Pattern

Towels are one of those things you don't think about until they're threadbare — and yet a genuinely good one is an everyday luxury. As I touched on in this post about no-reno bathroom updates, swapping out old towels for new ones is one of the easiest, high-impact upgrades you can make — plus, they'll feel as good as they look.

As you hunt for the right things for your home, here are a few more guides worth bookmarking…

This is just the tip of the iceberg — upgrade to paid, and you’ll receive a PDF of my comprehensive, ever-growing list of home sources. You’ll also get access to every past shopping edit, styling formula, and design deep-dive.

Thanks for being here! If you enjoy SINGULAR, please consider supporting my work — like, comment, or share with someone who’d love it. Or upgrade to a paid for monthly vintage finds, full archive access, and exclusive content like decorating guides and styling formulas.

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