A little gift for the house
The holidays are upon us, and this year has been rough. Just like last year. And the year before. Wait, aren’t we due for a break by now? Personally I have been making it through the year by giving myself a little treat. A fancy coffee from a shop, a cute pair or earrings, oooh and lets not forget Doordashing dinner so no one has to cook. I’ve been good too, mostly, and put aside some savings to spend on my friends and family for. the holidays. There’s the presents for mom and dad, check and check, my sister, check, nieces and nephews, double check. Last but never least is my daughter! Check check check! My husband and I decided not to exchange presents this year since we went on a cruise to the Bahamas just two months ago. The presents would have been cheaper, but not nearly as memorable. There’s one gift I haven’t bought yet though, and it’s one that gets overlooked year after year for so many people. I’m talking about getting a little something…for the house.
Right off the bat I can sense your hesitation. What do I mean, a gift for the house? The house is a structure, surely it does not require offerings. Well, lets shift our view point on that for a minute. Your house is full of soul, and a sense of being and belonging by the people that inhabit the space. That’s you. Look at your space as its own entity. We love and care for living beings, why not have the same sentiment for our homes? We keep our home clean and tidy (not as often as I’d like but still) because we care about our environment. Our surroundings effect us. When its cluttered, our brains feel cluttered. When its dirty, our brains feel the ick. To show respect for your house in its care and upkeep is something that’s already ingrained in us. Now I’m suggesting that not only do we mind the state of our homes, but we show our love and appreciation with a little token of affection. A little something for the house.
This is not a suggestion to go out and buy useless knickknacks, however when its time to get a necessary item for your home, put a little more emphasis on the aesthetics of the item. You need a new fruit bowl for the kitchen? How about a nice marble one? Looking for a key holder or ring dish? Find something a little more elevated than a generic plastic bowl. A vase for your holiday bouquets? Go bold and make a statement with your florals. And speaking of florals, a nice bunch of flowers, for the home, will also benefit everyone else that lives there. Life into a space, no matter how it looks, is never a waste.
I’ve compiled a list of cute home items from Amazon that ship quickly, don’t break the bank, and will have massive stylish impact in your space. Let’s take a look and see what to add to that wish list!
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means I may earn a small commission when you click my linked images, at no extra cost to you. Clicking these links helps support my site and allows me to continue providing content. Thank you!
Coquette Trinket Tray
The bows are everywhere, mostly thanks to LoveShackFancy and their multiple collaborations with various home brands, such as Stanley and Pottery Barn. The coquette trend isn’t going anywhere anytime fast, thanks to its overall feminine and timeless aesthetic. A great multipurpose item to have handy at home is a trinket tray. Place it by the front door as a catchall for your keys, leave it in the bedroom to display your next days jewelry, or place it on the coffee table as an elevated home for your TV remote. The romantic and classic white and gold combination allows for this tray to fit seamlessly into your existing decor. A great suggestion to give your bathroom major hotel vibes, place your most used toiletries on a tray like this, and turn countertop clutter into an organized statement.
2. Vase Trio
Need a vase? Instead of a single vase, get three, in varying heights, and turn a simple floral bouquet into a show stopping centerpiece. Our first instincts might be to have the same height, and allow for an nice even line, but in decor, different heights are always the way to go. When your eye tracks the movement of height to height, it provides a visual interest not gotten with something even or symmetrical. When your eye moves along a space, it makes your display feel more intentional and layered. I chose the set from Ooit on Amazon because I specifically love this featured color way. The Chinoiserie print with coordinating colors bring such an elegant and traditional touch to a more casual setting, without trying too hard. Blue and white is a classic look that invokes an antique sense of style that will bring immediate history to your table or shelf. Add some dried florals cut to fit each vase, and you’ve got a go to centerpiece for any time of the year.
3. Washable Printed Rug
First things first, praise be the washable rug! I have many pets, and a child, and I cannot fathom that once upon a time, we weren’t able to throw our rugs into the washing machine. The cost of cleaning rugs professionally, that’s a trauma I’d like to never revisit. Now, washable rugs are incredibly common, and for practicality purposes, I will always recommend a washable rug when you have kids, pets, or both. Rugs are a great trick to visually anchor a space, and provide separation from one area to another. Carve out a little reading corner in a larger living room with a comfy chair and a 3x5 area rug. I chose the Dunkino printed washable rug, because I love a busy pattern on a rug. The busier the pattern, the most sins it can hide until it’s time to throw it in the wash. While available in multiple color ways, the black ground with multicolor florals speaks to me. It’s fun, its bold, and the variety of colors makes it easier to have a cohesive look within an existing room, as you’re more likely able to match to colors in your rooms design. The dark undertone really grounds the area, defining the space as its own.
4. Storage Ottomans
This next item by Royal Windsor is something I have in my home, and I swear by it. It doesn’t matter that I have a playroom for my daughter, if I’m in the living room, she will come in there with her toys to play. I needed a way to corral and hide the odds and ends of playthings while keeping it easy for my daughter to grab and put back. These ottomans did the trick. They come in a set of two, a larger one and a smaller one. Both lids flip over to become a tabletop surface, perfect for resting drinks on. They hold a decent amount of toys, and even acts as home to my kid’s roller skates! I keep one by each side chair in my living room, and they act as storage, foot rests, and side tables, all in one. There’s plenty of colors available to match your room, but the pink one is what I have and it looks bold and lush. A clean room with functional pieces? If rooms could talk yours would say “thank you!”.
5. Cordless Touch Lamp
Outlets aren’t always where we need them to, and even if they are, there’s the cords. THE CORDS! Thanks for cordless lamps, we can now illuminate areas of the home previously left to the shadows. An extra light on your desk or work surface is practical and stylish. A small glow at night in the bathroom lights the way for guests without disrupting the entire household. My favorite place for a lamp is the kitchen counter. That added ambiance at night when you’re putting the dishes away, it makes chores almost seem magical. This cordless touch lamp from LightRound lets you move the lamp from room to room, to accommodate whatever your lighting needs may be. Bonus feature is that this lamp comes WITH the bulb!
6. Concrete Arch Bookends
Books are essential. That’s the whole statement. One of my favorite ways to decorate is to use books I’ve read and loved, or that are patiently pending being read once I get my massive TBR list in order. No matter the room, there’s always room for books. Really drive that statement home with some chic yet practical bookends by Kibaga. The rainbow curve shape brings softness to those hard book edges, and the neutral color way makes them fit seamlessly into any style room you have. Show off those cookbooks in the kitchen, those self help books in the office, or those, ahem, spicy books in the bedroom. Talk about form and function!
7. Plush Throw
One throw on your couch or favorite chair is an instant way to add warmth, texture, and even a pop of color. Make your space more inviting by putting the most plush, minky throw that guests will be dying to curl up with. This throw from BedSure is a great value and adds the perfect finishing touch to a living room or bedroom. It’s super soft and cozy, and available in a variety of colors. The soft sherpa underside provides a gentle weight, and the faux fur front brings a luxurious warmth. And being machine wash safe, you’ll never feel grubby snuggling up with this majestic piece of fluff.
8. Vintage Inspired Frames
When I’m buying frames, I always look for a set to get multiple matching frames for my space. Rather than a basic wooden frame, how about an ornate vintage inspired set of frames to really highlight your walls. These frames by eletecpro are a great way to bring cohesion to a gallery wall or create a feature wall with pictures. Display treasured family photos in an elegant way. Elevate your downloadable art prints by using elaborate frames. A quick hack for this time of year, is to take a cutting of your most favorite wrapping paper and frame it. The perfect touch of holiday decor, and the frame can be used again and again!
9. Velvet Throw Pillow Covers
Question: what’s the easiest way to update your couch each season without spending a fortune? Answer: Throw pillow covers! Invest in a good pair of pillow inserts, and change up the covers all year round to reflect whatever style you’re feeling at the moment. For this time of the year, I’m a big fan of Glory Season’s velvet ruffled cushions. The velvet provides a great deal of warmth and texture, while the elegant ruffles soften the space. The bold color options are a great way to take part in seasonal color trends without the investment. With this set of two, you can balance your sofa with a plush place for guest (and yourself) to lounge in both comfort and style.
10. Marbled Coaster Set
The drinks are chilling, the guests are coming, but your furniture is having a panic attack because you forgot one small yet vital item…coasters. Save your furniture, and the holiday season, but providing visitors with a grand place to set their drinks down on. These coasters from Dksyee have a beautiful blue and gold marble detailing that brings a classic richness to your surfaces. The coordinating gold holder makes these coasters the talk of the town whether they’re in use, or stored to the side. And since no one thinks to buy coasters, they’re a great hostess gift to give this holiday season!
Your home takes care of you every single day, so choosing elevated everyday items is one of the best gifts you can give it. I hope this list helps you find pieces that combine beauty, function, and that little spark of joy when you walk into the room. Remember, elevating your home doesn’t require a full makeover, just the right pieces in the right places. Until next time, keep creating that space that’s uniquely you!