‘Very Demure’ Decor 101: Experts Reveal How To Give Your Home a ‘Mindful’ Makeover By Realtor.com

TikTok has spoken—we’re all in for a “demure fall,” whether we like it or not.

Anyone wrapped up in the latest viral trend will of course know that “Brat summer” is now making way for a new seasonal theme, sparked by TikTok sensation Jools Lebron, who has captivated millions of viewers with her tips on how to be more “mindful” and “cutesy” in our daily lives.

In her viral clips, Lebron describes how to act more “demure” at work, how to be “mindful” when traveling on a plane, and even how to give “cutesy” when shopping for a car.

And her ethos has been very quick to catch on, with everyone from Jennifer Lopez to Jimmy Fallon to Olivia Rodrigo seizing on the trend in recent days.

But there is one key area that Lebron has yet to tackle: home decor. So, we asked a host of interior experts to share some brilliant tips on how you can give your home a “mindful, cutesy” makeover just in time for “demure fall.”

‘Balanced quality’

While considerate and quiet decor may have been given a catchy new label, the concept is by no means new.

Designer Vicente Wolf, of Vicente Wolf Associates, says he has long been using this particular philosophy and its framework for his own design aesthetic.

“I try to have my spaces never to be jarring and offer a balanced quality—they’re the opposite of the Kardashians,” he quips.

Curious about being mindful and demure in the home? Here’s more on the trend as well as a few tips for bringing the look into your rooms.

What does ‘demure’ decor mean?

Unfussy, clean, and balanced are some of the hallmarks of demure and mindful decor, says Ariel Barrionuevo, designer and manager at La Coralina Island House.

“Demure, as a design philosophy, is about creating a space that whispers rather than shouts. It’s less about specific colors or shapes and more about the balance of subtle details that evoke grace without demanding attention,” he explains.

This trend feels feminine and sweet, but shouldn’t be overly saccharine or too on the nose, notes Wolf.

For example, when considering artwork, “obvious bouquets of flowers or children running through a field or a little puppy are the opposite of what makes a room demure. They’re too much in-your-face and lack subtlety,” he says.

Create a demure domain

Wolf urges homeowners to strive for a demure sleep space.

“The color palette in the bedroom should make the skin look like it’s blushing. I like working in neutrals and then play them against muted silvers,” he says.

In this primary bedroom, above, Wolf has created a “cocoon-like quality with a recessed headboard that also includes reading lights.”

The ‘mindful, demure’ backstory

Lebron has posted many videos with her tagline, but when it comes to the home, the mindful, demure look has solid roots in other decor trends. And the wild way in which design fads come and go is definitely part of the fun.

For example, demure’s instant popularity is similar to TikTok’s “unexpected red,” a micro trend from just a couple of months ago.

And red likely soared to stardom back then as a backlash to so much pink during last summer’s fling with “Barbiecore.”

But, thanks to fun and flirty coquette decor, inspired by the Netflix period series”Bridgerton,” a pink-hued, quieter, indeed demure, approach to home decor came back in vogue.

Soft lighting is demure

No overhead lights—ever—in a considerate, cutesy space.

“This is not a hospital,” says one decor enthusiast in the above Instagram clip.

The clip points out that the room is “very considerate, very mindful for my guests,” with candlelight (very demure!) and small table lamps, in an effort not to do too much or overwhelm the vibe.

Wolf echoes this sentiment, adding that he frequently chooses pink lightbulbs to achieve the same flattering type of light. Other kinds of considerate lighting include task lamps and well-placed sconces.

Thrifted pieces are mindful

Fast furniture is in no way mindful—think of the Earth, people! But thrifting secondhand pieces definitely fits this theme.

Barrionuevo encourages folks to “curate spaces in a way that reflects who you are, not just in objects but in how you arrange them.”

Simple and clutter-free

Clutter-free rooms are a given with this theme, but your look doesn’t have to be minimalist, say the experts.

“Of course, you’ll put clothes away and clean up messes, but there are other strategies for maintaining a peaceful, mindful aspect that appeal to the senses in a calming manner,” Wolf says.

The benefit of a simple layout is to “make room for clarity and focus where your favorite pieces can take on new significance, becoming more than just things—they become experiences,” Barrionuevo adds.

Well-placed plants

Ideas to try include plants as they “bring a sense of life to a room,” Wolf says.

Flowers look joyful and smell good (scented candles do the trick as well), he adds. “And fresh fruit in a bowl gives a sense of generosity.”

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Source: www.realtor.com