At a certain point, the mismatched kitchen plates, sagging armchair, and coffee table you picked up at a garage sale stop looking charming. It's all well and good when you're fresh out of college, but once you move into an adult apartment, you need more adult home decor.
Whether you recently got engaged or just bought your first home, you'll know when it's time to update your decor from shabby chic to just plain chic. Start off with these 11 home decor upgrades.
Get rid of those mismatched plates and cereal bowls you've had since college and upgrade to a full dinnerware set ($70) in a statement-making pattern. Each piece in this dinnerware set is made from triple-layer glass, so it won't break or chip for years to come.
Nothing says "I actually have my life together" like thoughtfully coordinated living room decor. Introduce some texture to the room with a few tasseled throw pillows ($39) in warm earth tones.
Fact: You should have more than one set of sheets. Fact: High thread-count sheets ($149) will change your life. You'll notice the difference the very first time you sleep on these buttery soft linens.
Sure, mason jars work just fine, but an architectural vase stands out so much more. This set of three bud vases ($54) creates an instant flower arrangement with just a few blooms.
Class up your bar (or bar cart) with a copper cocktail shaker ($52) with a slightly unusual shape. It's both functional and beautiful.
A good coffee table book is almost as important as a good coffee table. Walter Chandoha's gorgeous photography ($50) of fancy felines is just the thing.
That throw rug you've had since your dorm room days is probably looking a little worse for wear. Upgrade to something with a little more visual interest, like the bold geometric pattern in this Jonathan Adler area rug ($70–$739).
Nothing sets the mood like a lovely scent. Diptyque's beloved candles ($65) may be a bit pricey, but the aroma is nothing short of heavenly.
Whether you artfully drape it over the end of the bed or cuddle up with it on the couch, this chunky knitted throw ($99) is more elegant than a regular fleece blanket.
Plant parents want their babies to get all the attention they deserve — so why not turn them into a bona fide piece of decor with the addition of a raised planter? This glazed option ($99) only enhances the appeal of the monstera, snake plant, or whatever greenery it holds.
When is a toaster more than just a toaster? When it's Smeg's adorably retro model ($168), available in shades like mint green and candy apple red.