Sabrina Soto knows what it takes to turn a house into a home. The interior designer has been hard at work helping viewers create the perfect decor on a next-to-nil budget on the TLC’s rebooted hit Trading Spaces.Now, she’s helping us all make over our spaces with her best tips on all this season’s must-have decor. Read on to find out what will reign supreme for summer 2018!
Keep your Palette neutral
More and more, Soto says she’s seeing requests for simple, all-white color schemes. “People are just liking a very neutral palette,” she shares. “I think it feels crisper and brighter in a space.”
There’s also more leeway to make rooms your own. Even the longtime TV host, who’s known for her bold use of color, keeps it neutral when it comes to her walls, opting to punch up her space with accent colors and accessories instead.
For Soto, that could be anything from the bright children’s bedding she designed for Casa & Co. ($20 to $70) or a rug from the new line with Wayfair debuting in Fall/Winter 2018 (with limited pieces available now). “It’s all going to be super affordable and super beautiful,” she promises.
Bring in some cool Blue
Move over, Pantone’s Ultra Violet! When choosing a color for your accent pieces, Soto says there’s another primary shade that’s about to blow up on the home decor front. This summer will be all about blue in all its hues. “I think everything from an indigo blue to… softer [tones],” she predicts.
simplify your furniture
The biggest challenge she comes across when redesigning a space is getting clients to let go of the old to make way for the new. “[It’s] people having too much stuff and not wanting to get rid of anything,” Soto says.
Oftentimes, they’ll choose clutter over moving pieces of furniture into the next room, particularly if it’s part of a set. “They have to keep them together like they’re a family,” she says.
Her advice? Go ahead and transplant that love seat to simplify your setup. There’s no written rule that it must stay with its original mates!
Incorporate Scent
Making your abode comfy isn’t just about the visuals. As Soto tells us, “Scent is such a huge part of a space and atmosphere.” She relies on Air Wick’s Essential Mist Diffuser ($10) to add a subtle fragrance. “It’s so low-maintenance,” she says. “You can customize how intense the fragrance is. My favorite is the Fresh Water Breeze, but Lavender & Almond Blossom is great for a bedroom and a little more soothing.”
What’s your favorite decorating tip? Share with us over @BritandCo.
Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
(Photos via Sabrina Soto)