Podcast Title: Anything Goes with Emma Chamberlain
Episode: Home Decor Hacks
Release Date: August 14, 2025
Host: Emma Chamberlain
Introduction
In the "Home Decor Hacks" episode of Anything Goes with Emma Chamberlain, Emma delves deep into her passion for interior design and shares a plethora of creative strategies to enhance home aesthetics while maintaining functionality. Recorded from her unique spaces, including the comfort of her bed and other whimsical locations, Emma offers listeners insightful tips drawn from her personal experiences of redecorating and perfecting her living spaces.
The Allure of Home Decor
Emma begins by recounting a personal experience where an itch to rearrange her home decor consumed her for four days. She emphasizes her love for home decor as a hobby, highlighting how the process of tweaking small items like lamps, vases, and sculptures can bring immense satisfaction.
“I love home decor. I love interior design. I love perfecting a space.”
(02:15)
Utilizing Bowls, Trays, and Platters Strategically
One of Emma's primary hacks involves the strategic placement of bowls, trays, and platters. She advocates for using these items not just for aesthetics but for their functionality tailored to specific routines and habits.
Scenario 1: Work Hub Organization
Emma describes her work setup on the kitchen island, where she uses a woven fruit bowl to neatly organize her essential work gadgets like SD cards and tripods. This approach keeps her workspace tidy and aesthetically pleasing.
“It's kind of helpful to have some sort of little tray or bowl or platter to put those things in.”
(10:45)
Scenario 2: Routine Reminders
For her Invisalign regimen, Emma places her retainer in a designated tray to ensure she doesn't forget to wear it daily. This simple placement serves as a constant reminder, integrating seamlessly into her morning routine.
“Having that little tray for my Invisalign helps me remember.”
(15:30)
Embracing Dried Flowers Over Fresh or Fake
Emma champions the use of dried flowers as a superior alternative to both fresh and artificial ones. She praises their longevity and versatility in design, allowing for endless creative arrangements without the maintenance hassles.
“Dried flowers literally last forever.”
(25:20)
The Power of Odd Numbers in Decor
A standout tip from Emma is the use of odd numbers when arranging decorative items. She believes that odd-numbered groupings (like 1, 3, or 5 items) create a more balanced and visually appealing setup compared to even numbers.
“Every little cluster is in an odd number assortment.”
(35:10)
She illustrates this with examples from her own home, such as her bathroom counter where she groups items in threes to maintain visual harmony.
Enhancing Lighting with Lamps
Emma stresses the importance of personalized lighting to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere. She recommends using lamps with warm white bulbs instead of harsh overhead lighting to achieve a softer, more relaxing vibe.
“Standard overhead lighting in homes ... is not ideal. It's bright, it sometimes feels fluorescent.”
(50:05)
Aesthetic Functional Items
Transforming everyday functional items into decorative pieces is another key hack. Emma suggests upgrading items like toilet brushes, paper towel holders, and hooks to more aesthetically pleasing versions, thereby eliminating potential eyesores.
“Take the time to find the most beautiful version of functional items that you can find, because at the end of the day, that's what home decor should be.”
(60:40)
Strategically Placing Clocks
Clocks, according to Emma, should be strategically placed in areas where time-checking is most frequent, such as the bathroom or entryway. This minimizes reliance on smartphones and adds both functionality and style to these spaces.
“Make it so that you don't have to be checking your phone every time you want to know the time.”
(75:25)
Managing Unsightly Cords
Emma acknowledges the frustration of ugly cords detracting from a room's decor. She offers solutions like spray painting cords to match wall colors or using cord covers to blend them seamlessly into the room's aesthetic.
“If you ever find yourself in this predicament, it's a little bit extra, it's a little bit high maintenance, but I promise you it's worth it.”
(90:15)
Defining Aesthetic Themes for Each Room
Establishing a specific aesthetic theme for each room helps in creating a cohesive and intentional look. Emma shares her experiences of theming rooms like her nautical-themed sitting room and mossy garden-inspired bedroom, ensuring each space reflects her personal style.
“It's about figuring out the vibe that you're going for before you go and start decorating the space so that you have some sort of intention of how you want the room to feel.”
(100:50)
Simplifying Decor: Less is More
Emma advises that sometimes simplifying decor by removing excess items and focusing on a few key pieces can enhance the overall look. She emphasizes that filling spaces with too many items can lead to clutter, whereas minimalism can highlight the beauty of individual pieces.
“Sometimes the answer to decor is much more simple than we think. Sometimes it's just one pot. It's just one vase.”
(115:00)
Embracing Asymmetry
Contrary to the common inclination towards symmetry, Emma explores the beauty of asymmetrical arrangements. She shares how placing a single piece of art off-center can add character and interest to a room without the rigidity of symmetrical layouts.
“Sometimes symmetry is wrong. I love an occasional painting randomly placed on a weird quadrant of the wall.”
(120:30)
Flea Market Finds: Unique and Affordable Decor
Emma highlights flea markets as treasure troves for unique and affordable decor items. She recounts her successful hunt for a massive metal tree sculpture, which became a stunning statement piece for her dining room at a fraction of the typical art cost.
“You can find such amazing things from the flea market, and the prices are usually pretty good.”
(130:45)
Conclusion: Thoughtful and Intentional Decorating
Throughout the episode, Emma underscores the significance of thoughtful and intentional decorating. By blending aesthetics with functionality, strategically placing items, and embracing both simplicity and uniqueness, she provides a comprehensive guide for listeners to transform their living spaces into personalized sanctuaries.
“It's about taking the time to find these items. That's the thing about it. But the difference that it makes in the aura of your home is very palpable.”
(145:00)
Emma wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to explore their creativity, experiment with different decor hacks, and most importantly, to have fun in the process of making their homes truly reflect their personalities.
Notable Quotes:
- “I love home decor. I love interior design. I love perfecting a space.” (02:15)
- “It's kind of helpful to have some sort of little tray or bowl or platter to put those things in.” (10:45)
- “Dried flowers literally last forever.” (25:20)
- “Every little cluster is in an odd number assortment.” (35:10)
- “Standard overhead lighting in homes ... is not ideal. It's bright, it sometimes feels fluorescent.” (50:05)
- “Take the time to find the most beautiful version of functional items that you can find, because at the end of the day, that's what home decor should be.” (60:40)
- “Make it so that you don't have to be checking your phone every time you want to know the time.” (75:25)
- “If you ever find yourself in this predicament, it's a little bit extra, it's a little bit high maintenance, but I promise you it's worth it.” (90:15)
- “It's about figuring out the vibe that you're going for before you go and start decorating the space so that you have some sort of intention of how you want the room to feel.” (100:50)
- “Sometimes the answer to decor is much more simple than we think. Sometimes it's just one pot. It's just one vase.” (115:00)
- “Sometimes symmetry is wrong. I love an occasional painting randomly placed on a weird quadrant of the wall.” (120:30)
- “You can find such amazing things from the flea market, and the prices are usually pretty good.” (130:45)
- “It's about taking the time to find these items. That's the thing about it. But the difference that it makes in the aura of your home is very palpable.” (145:00)
Final Thoughts
Emma Chamberlain's "Home Decor Hacks" episode is a treasure trove of practical advice blended with personal anecdotes, making it both relatable and actionable. Whether you're a seasoned decor enthusiast or just starting to explore interior design, Emma's insights offer valuable guidance to create spaces that are not only beautiful but also deeply functional and reflective of your unique style.