The three-tweak method: Small décor changes to make a big difference

Discover the less daunting approach to decorating that makes improving your home feel manageable.

Whilst redecorating your home is an exciting prospect, the never-ending list of tasks, from painting the living room to stripping out the kitchen cabinets, can quickly feel overwhelming. It often leads us to rushing through jobs or avoiding them altogether, neither of which is very productive.

But what if there was a way to make decorating more manageable? Introducing the three-tweak method: the clever design approach that helps you refresh your home gradually and intentionally, to create a space you truly love.

In this expert guide, we sit down with our Head of Design, Kris Manalo, to explain exactly what the three-tweak method involves, and share some of our favourite small tweaks you can make to refresh your home.

What is the three-tweak method in interior design?

Put simply, the three-tweak method is about committing to three small changes in your home design each week. This means rather than doing a full home renovation, which costs precious time and money, the three-tweak method offers slow-but-steady decorating.

Why we love the three-tweak method

“Especially when we’re busy, the thought of completely redecorating a room can be overwhelming, and this can mean that we don’t take any action at all. This idea of making three small changes each week is a great way to ease your way into understanding what you do and don’t like, in terms of your interior style.”

- Kris Manalo, Head of Design at Atkin and Thyme

As our Head of Design, Kris, points out, the three-tweak method is all about making designing your home more manageable. It’s a gentler approach to home design, removing the pressure of making any big, drastic changes. Instead, you can slowly watch your space transform with each small tweak, helping you to find your style and create a home that feels more personal.

Who is the three-tweak method for?

The three-tweak method is for everyone! But in particular, this design approach is ideal for perfectionists or those who get overwhelmed by big projects and are nervous about getting stuck into a renovation job. It’s also great for busy individuals who want to update their homes but don’t feel like they have enough spare time to do it. The three-tweak method makes you take your time, whilst slowly but surely getting the job done.

Three-tweak design ideas to try at home

Now you understand the technique, how about giving it a go yourself? Here are our favourite small tweaks you can make around your own home to breathe new life into your space.

Bring in some soft furnishings

“Introducing a few soft furnishings, such as a new throw or cushions on your sofa, is such a fun and easy way to change up your decor. Choose designs that you feel instantly drawn to and don’t be afraid to mix and match colours and patterns as this is the perfect way to curate a space that has lots of character and personality.”

- Kris Manalo, Head of Design at Atkin and Thyme

As Kris says, adding some soft furnishings is one of the easiest ways to bring an instant change to your space, no matter which room of the house you’re updating. Plus, you don’t need to go crazy for an elevated look. We love how our Sloane Fluted 2 Seat Sofa In Mustard Boucle has been styled here with a geometric print rectangular cushion and a chic sphere to match the curves of the sofa. So sophisticated.

Update your lighting

Lighting can often be overlooked, but it plays such an important role in your home design. It sets the mood. Our Head of Design, Kris, explains further:

“When it's used as a decorative feature, lighting can highlight and enhance architectural features or help to zone certain areas of the home, such as a living area from the kitchen in an open plan layout. In cosy areas where you typically spend time relaxing, such as the living room or bedroom, warm, ambient light will help you create a soft and welcoming atmosphere.”

“In rooms such as the kitchen, which are busier and need to feel brighter, ceiling lights such as pendants or directional downlights will help to illuminate the room. Layer with task lighting, such as under-cabinet lights, to highlight specific workspace areas.”

- Kris Manalo, Head of Design at Atkin and Thyme

Shop our full range of contemporary lighting

Add a rug to brighten up your flooring

“Consider an oversized rug in a bold print, such as botanical, floral or an abstract retro design. Styled under a bed or coffee table in the living room, patterned rugs can make a simple, plain room feel so much more welcoming and intimate. Rugs can also be used to break up large, open spaces by adding another layer of comfort.”

- Kris Manalo, Head of Design at Atkin and Thyme

Whatever room you’re sprucing, a rug can work wonders in transforming your space. As Kris says, a rug with an eye-catching print, like our Botanical Hand Tufted Rug, is great for adding a focal point to your room, which is especially helpful in larger rooms with a lot of redundant space. Now, you have a piece of art on your floor that you can admire every day.

Shop our full range of beautiful indoor rugs

Dress your bed with beautiful bedding

Bored of your bedroom design but don’t want to invest in a new bed? Switching up your bedding is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to transform your bedroom. Whether you opt for crisp white Egyptian cotton sheets, sweet pastel gingham, or something with frills and ruching, your bedding choice can bring so much personality and charm.

Try your hand at DIY wall panelling

Wall panelling is a popular design trend right now, and for good reason. This simple update is easy to achieve yourself and can instantly transform a room by bringing subtle depth and character. Our Head of Design, Kris, shares her thoughts on the best wall panelling styles to try at home:

“There are lots of design options, but beadboard panelling in particular is extremely popular right now. It’s often referred to as beaded or bead and butt panelling and is a classic design that features a double V-groove and bead in the centre, with evenly spaced grooves. Textured wall panels will help to envelope your bedroom, making it feel grounded and lived-in by intentionally adding layers and patterns.”

- Kris Manalo, Head of Design at Atkin and Thyme

Style your coffee table intentionally

Coffee table styling is a fantastic way to give your living room some attention, and doesn’t require tonnes of effort. The secret is to be very intentional with your styling and choose your pieces carefully. We like clustering our accessories into groups of three, as we’ve done here on our Mason Coffee Table. Experiment with different heights to add dimension, too. For instance, place a tall vase next to a low stack of coffee table books. The overall look should feel relaxed but considered.

Shop our full range of luxury coffee tables

Brighten up your walls with art

Everybody loves artwork, whether you consider yourself an artsy person or not. This is because it brings personality to any room. No matter what you choose to adorn your walls with, be it landscape photography, modern graphic prints, or a vintage oil-on-canvas, art can showcase your personal taste and is an easy way to inject some colour and creativity into your home.

To keep things cohesive, we’d recommend choosing a piece of art that features at least one colour in your existing colour palette. For instance, we love how our Barnaby 3 Seat Sofa In Mushroom Velvet has been styled above with a modern piece that matches the light mushroom tone of the sofa, whilst bringing in some darker accent shades for an interesting high-contrast look.

Decorating needn’t be daunting. With the three-tweak method, you can make thoughtful, bite-sized updates weekly to transform your home over time into a space that feels personal and uniquely yours.

Feeling inspired? Shop the latest additions to Atkin and Thyme’s collection of contemporary furniture

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