EmmyLew_Decorates on LTK

$Built-ins weren’t in the budget… so I found another way. These four walnut cabinets gave us the look of a custom storage wall for a fraction of the cost, plus they hide all of the movies, games, blankets, and everything else that used to make this room feel cluttered. Sometimes the best home upgrades aren’t the most expensive—they’re the ones that make your home work better for your family (or for your brain in my case lol). #LTKHome #LTKmomlife$

Built-ins weren’t in the budget… so I found another way. These four walnut cabinets gave us the look of a custom storage wall for a fraction of the cost, plus they hide all of the movies, games, blankets, and everything else that used to make this room feel cluttered. Sometimes the best home upgrades aren’t the most expensive—they’re the ones that make your home work better for your family (or for your brain in my case lol). LTKHome LTKmomlife

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Paid links

Tillman 28" Wide Rectangular Accent Cabinet in Antiqued Gray Oak | Wayfair North America

Arched Fir Wood Shelves, Set of 2 | Kirklands

23.2" x 10" Metal Decorative Tray by Ashland® | Michaels Stores

12" x 16" Horse Sketch Wall Art by Ashland® | Michaels Stores

10" Terra Cotta Gray Ceramic Pot by Ashland® | Michaels Stores

10oz. 3-Wick Scented Ceramic Candle with Handle by Ashland® | Michaels Stores

Pewamo 10" H Handcrafted Wood Horse Head Figurine | Wayfair North America

Tillman Alder Brown MDF 68 in. Buffet Table | The Home Depot

From classroom to content creator 📚➡️📲
Hi, I’m Emily! After 25 years teaching high school Marketing, I retired early and started sharing the way I style, update, and truly live in our family home in Florida.
Married at 36, mom at 40, and now raising our 7-year-old in our 12th (!!) house.
I’ve always loved finding homes with potential and updating them to feel high-end on a real-life budget.
Follow along for DIYs, decor tips, Amazon & Target finds, and everyday life at the lagoon 🏖️
#BuilderGradeGlowUp #FloridaMomLife #NeutralHomeStyle

The whimsy of our daughter’s playroom is so sweet 💕 the abundant storage cabinets and curtains are the necessity but the rest I can have a little fun with so I added some ruffles and lace! May I always remember that little girls are so precious 🫶🏻 #targetfind #anthropologie #playroom #littlegirls #neutralrooms #simpledecor

#LTKKids #LTKHome

Welcome to my LTK! I am Emily and I am 47 years old and I love simple but stylish home decor and outfits for myself and our 7 year old daughter! Hope to see you around 🫶🏻

#LTKKids #LTKOver40 #LTKHome

Fall decor that earns its place year-round 🤎 This brown rug adds such a cozy layer, whether it’s beside the bathroom vanity or tucked under a bed.

After decorating 12 homes, I’ve learned to look for pieces that work in more than one room—and this is one of those finds. The warm brown tones make an easy starting point for neutral bedding, wood accents, and a few seasonal touches.

Swipe to see it styled both ways! Shop the rug below.

@Wayfair

#LTKHome

Before you add more decor to a wall that feels unfinished, check the size of your art. 🖼️

I liked the pieces in our kitchen nook, but the grouping felt too small for that long wall. Two larger pieces from At Home gave it more presence, and the sconces helped balance the arrangement.

After owning 12 homes, I’ve had plenty of practice—and I still make adjustments after living with a space. Sometimes you love the art; it just needs a different spot. 🤎

My tip: tape out the full frame dimensions before buying. If you’re hanging a pair, include the gap between them, then step back to see how the whole arrangement works with your furniture.

Swipe for the before and a few other At Home pieces I spotted and loved. Think warm colors, interesting texture, and frames that add a little contrast.

Save this for your next blank wall.

#LTKHome

Three things I vacuum sealed to make more room in our closets: out-of-season clothes, seasonal throw pillows, and the stuffed animals my daughter isn’t ready to part with. 🤎

These Nice Tree vacuum storage bags helped free up shelf space without making us get rid of things we still want to keep. Seeing actual empty space on the shelves was my favorite part!

Shop the vacuum bags linked here for your own closet organization project.

#LTKmomlife #LTKHome #LTKKids

Fall decor for a living room that already loves warm wood and deep green 🤎 My green sofa, wood coffee table, and neutral rug make such a cozy starting point—then a few small seasonal touches bring it all together.

Faux hydrangeas, a coffee table book, a little match holder, and a marble pumpkin coaster are my kind of easy fall decorating. Just enough to make the room feel ready for slower evenings at home.

Shop my furniture and rug along with the smaller styling pieces linked here!

#LTKHome #LTKSeasonal

Tile is easier than you think—I promise. 🙌

This was my FIRST tile project, and I put it off forever because I was intimidated. A few things made it so much easier:

• Choose a tile that fits your space so you aren’t making a million complicated cuts.
• I chose a large tile that LOOKS like smaller tiles, which meant way less grouting.
• Instead of mixing mortar, I used adhesive tile mat—and YES, it held the weight! I actually left the tile up for quite a while before grouting because I was nervous, and it didn’t budge. 😂
• I skipped the wet saw and used a regular tile cutter because it felt much less intimidating to me.
• And when the grout float felt too bulky for the little spaces, I put the grout in a Ziploc bag and piped it into the cracks instead.

Was every single thing the “professional” way? Probably not. 😂 But it worked, it still looks great, and most importantly—it gave me the confidence to actually DO IT.

If you’ve been putting off a tile project because it feels too hard, save this. You might be surprised by what you can do.

I’ll link the tile and the adhesive tile mat I used. 🤎

#LTKmomlife #LTKHome #LTKstorytime

A warmer, cozier fall bedroom—starting with a headboard under $300 🤎

This is just the headboard, so you can pair it with a compatible bed frame you already have. The deep brown wood and cane add so much warmth and texture without replacing the whole bed.

I added a brown rug, a little brown accent table, and soft layers for a guest bedroom that feels inviting for fall—and beyond.

#LTKHome

A green velvet scalloped bed for a girl’s bedroom she can grow into 💚

I chose this customizable West Elm bed in tarragon green velvet for my daughter’s room, and the color is even prettier in person. The scalloped shape feels playful enough for her now but timeless enough to keep as her style changes.

It comes in multiple sizes and fabrics, with or without a trundle. We skipped the trundle for now so I could keep the space underneath available for storage, but I love having the option to add one later.

Shop her bed and the West Elm pieces in her room below!

@westelm

#LTKmomlife #LTKHome #LTKKids

Need a console table for a narrow space? This black console table is only 12 inches deep but 64” long, so it gives you plenty of room to decorate without taking up much floor space. The two open shelves add extra space for baskets, books, and decor. A great option for a small entryway, hallway, or any awkward narrow wall.
They have a smaller size as well.

@Wayfair

#LTKHome

Some of the most meaningful things you can hang in your home aren’t decor you bought. 🤎

This police badge belonged to my grandpa, but to me, he was Bumpa. I stayed with him every day growing up, and we were so close. Finding a place for his badge means having a little reminder of him in my everyday life.

To frame it, I used a frame from At Home, foam board, a tea towel, and spray adhesive. The fabric-covered foam gave me a place to attach his badge inside the mat—and turned something so personal into a piece I can see and enjoy every day.

If you have a keepsake tucked away, maybe this is your reminder to give it a place in your home.

What’s something special you’ve kept from someone you love?

#LTKHome #LTKstorytime

Fitting 18 puzzles and games in the space that used to hold about six? That’s the kind of home organization I need. 🙌

These six Amazon storage pieces help us use more of the space we already have:

• Pullout drawers so things don’t disappear in the back of cabinets.
• Rolling shelves that make stored items easier to access.
• Clear bins so we can see what’s on those shelves.
• Heavy-duty garage shelves mounted up high to keep our floor space open.
• Reusable zipper bags that replace bulky toy, puzzle, and game boxes.

Because a storage system only helps if your family will actually use it. 🤎

Comment STORAGE and I’ll send you the links to all six!

#LTKHome #LTKmomlife

Layering your decor sounds easy… until the pieces you have aren’t quite the right size. 🙃

If your art needs a little more height to peek out behind your other pieces, try a tabletop easel!

I found this one and realized the top piece comes off, so I could use it with a much larger piece of framed art than it was originally meant to hold. It gave me just the extra height I needed to pull everything together.

Right now, you can get 30% off the easel with code GETMY30!

Save this little trick for the next time you’re rearranging your decor!

#LTKHome

Love fall colors but want a rug you’ll enjoy all year? 🤎 These seven Wayfair rugs are styled in seven rooms in my home, so you can see how they look in real spaces.

From my newest brown rug to the other favorites around our house, these are easy colors to bring into your everyday decor—and build your fall layers around.

Shop all seven below to find your favorite for your home!

@Wayfair

#LTKSeasonal #LTKHome

My deep green sofa is having its fall moment 🤎

Deep green, warm wood, and soft textures—my kind of cozy fall living room. A vase of fall hydrangeas on the coffee table adds a seasonal touch to pieces I love all year.

You don’t have to change the whole room to make it feel ready for fall. Linking my sofa, deep brown wood coffee table, and rug—all from Wayfair.

@Wayfair

#LTKHome #LTKSeasonal

Same look, two budgets—here’s what I actually spent on the furniture in our two guest bedrooms. 👀

Both have that warm, classic look I love, but the prices were very different:

🤎 Bedroom one:
• Bed: $1,520 on sale
• Two nightstands: $800 total on sale

🤎 Bedroom two:
• Headboard: $177
• Side table: $399 at an outlet

The second room uses a separate bed frame, so the $177 is for the headboard only.

What I love about seeing these rooms together is that spending more wasn’t the only way to get a guest bedroom I’m happy to welcome people into. A headboard paired with a simple frame can give you a similar feel with more room in the budget.

#LTKHome #LTKstorytime

One bathroom mirror or two? The vanity size makes all the difference. 👀

I actually don’t always recommend this swap. On a really wide vanity, two smaller mirrors can leave so much empty space between them that it looks like you need a third. 😂

But this vanity is only 58 inches wide, so two 24 × 36 mirrors filled the space beautifully—just a little gap between them, without making the bathroom feel smaller.

And here’s where I saved: I chose ONE longer vanity light to go over both mirrors. That let me use the existing electrical location instead of hiring an electrician to add a second one, which would’ve blown my budget.

Making a builder-grade bathroom feel more personal starts with figuring out what actually works for your space—and your budget. 🤎

I linked the mirrors, light, horse wallpaper, and the other bathroom details!

#LTKmomlife #LTKHome

Who knew I would find the most perfect hairbrush for my horse, loving little girl who also has thin hair and by the way, this does not break her hair, which is the most important thing and I found this at Anthro 🐴😎🤠

@Anthropologie

#LTKmomlife #LTKgrwm

I would’ve said it’s too hot for a sweatsuit, but not these kids @abercrombie 🤣
It’s just so soft and comfy she says!

#LTKmomlife #LTKKids

Our new kitchen was smaller than our last one, so I wanted to make every bit of storage count when I set it up—and give all that white a little warmth. 🤎

These were the first five changes we made when we moved in:

1. Brass hardware to warm up the white cabinets.
2. A backsplash with varied tile tones to add warmth and character.
3. Warm gold pendants over the island to coordinate with the brass hardware.
4. A flat-panel pantry door that matched the cabinets, plus an extra shelf and a back-of-the-door organizer to make more room for storage.
5. Cabinet pullouts so we could fit more in our cabinets and actually reach what was in the back.

These changes made our kitchen feel more like us and work better for everyday life. I’ve linked what I used so you can find ideas for your own kitchen!

#LTKHome

A horse-themed bathroom she can grow into 🐎🤎

Ella loves horses, so I started with horse-print wallpaper and added warm wood mirrors, scalloped lighting, and little equestrian details. It’s still our builder-grade bathroom—just a lot more her.

If you’re decorating around something your child loves, you don’t need every piece to match the theme. A few personal touches mixed with classic pieces can pull it all together.

Here’s where everything is from:

• Wallpaper: Love vs. Design
• Light, mirrors, wall basket, rug & shower curtain: Amazon
• Towel hook & horse jar: Anthropologie
• Tray & horse statue: World Market
• Cabinet hardware: Asidrama (gifted)
• Lamp: Target

Comment BATHROOM for the links!

#LTKHome #LTKKids #LTKvlog

The $40 standing magnifying glass at Target gave me an idea… 🔍

I found a magnifying glass at Michaels on sale for $11.99, spray-painted a piece of wood for the base, and we attached the two with a screw!

The trick is finding one with a wood handle so you can attach it to the base. Such a simple DIY, and it has that collected, vintage look I love.

I’m using mine for Halloween decor, but I think it’s too cool to pack away afterward! Linking the magnifying glass I used below and a couple others if you prefer no DIY lol

Got my wood block at Hobby Lobby🖤

#LTKSaleAlert #LTKHome

Our 9 year old bulldog was recently diagnosed with Cushing’s disease so our rugs have to be washable to manage the hair loss among other side effects 😢
I have wanted a JoonLoloi runner and finely got this one. The surprise is how soft it is to touch!

#LTKHome

One of those kid purchases I’d make all over again. 🙌 We’ve had this art table through multiple houses, and at 8 years old, she STILL uses it.

My advice? Skip the little plastic easel and buy a craft table they can grow into. When they’re little, use the paper roll for coloring and painting. Later, it becomes a craft table—and eventually even a homework spot.

Ours is from Pottery Barn Kids and, surprisingly, it’s not typical PB furniture pricing—it’s in the $200s. I also linked a smaller Wayfair option if you don’t have as much space.

Buy it once and let it grow with them. 🤎

#LTKHome #LTKKids #LTKmomlife

My bathroom closet needed to work better.

Three simple changes made such a difference:
• Shelf covers to turn builder-grade wire shelves into a flat, usable surface
• Sheet organizers that actually gave me MORE room (and yes, I thought they’d make laundry harder 😂 but they didn’t)
• Clear bins to keep all the little bathroom extras contained and easy to find

Nothing overly organized. Just simple storage solutions that make our house work for real life.

#linencloset #linenclosetorganization #bathroomorganization #homeorganization #storagesolutions #buildergradehome #organizationideas

#LTKHome

I said I’d never buy fall florals from Walmart… and then I found THESE. 😂🍂

The deeper red + brown tones were exactly what I wanted for fall — warm and seasonal without turning my whole living room orange. I added them to a Pottery Barn pot, brought in a little mustard-colored dish with an acorn, and suddenly this corner feels like fall.

Sometimes it really is just a few small swaps that make your home feel ready for a new season. 🤎

I linked the florals + everything else in this little fall setup on LTK!

#FallDecor #FallHomeDecor #FallLivingRoom #AutumnDecor #WalmartFinds #CozyHome #LivingRoomDecor

#LTKHome #LTKSeasonal

I asked for my own little SKIL tool and I’m obsessed. 😂 The heads literally pop in and out—no holding and twisting anything to change them—and it charges with USB-C, has a built-in light, and is perfect anytime I need a screwdriver or a little drill around the house. Easy enough that I’ll actually grab it and use it…and most importantly, this one is MINE. 😂 Linking it here!

#LTKHome

I found the sweetest custom pet portrait on Etsy 🐾🤎 You just send them a photo of your pet, and they create a felted version for you! I sent a picture of Mack and got to choose the background color and ribbon color to make it work with our home.

I’ll probably swap out the frame for something that feels a little more like me, but the felted portrait itself is such a special little piece. Such a cute idea for your own home or a personalized gift for a dog lover!

#LTKHome

I designed these two guest rooms on very different budgets, but there’s one thing I used in both: cane.

I’ve always loved cane furniture. My grandmother had it in her home, so to me it feels classic—not trendy. And while it can definitely lean coastal, I think it works beautifully in lots of different styles.

For one room, I invested in a cane bedroom set with matching nightstands. For the other, I bought an inexpensive cane headboard and attached it to a basic bed frame.

Two different budgets, but the same classic detail—and honestly, I love them both.

#LTKHome #LTKOver40

Looking for an easy way to decorate your front porch for fall? I styled this 4-foot artificial eucalyptus tree two ways—first in a large planter surrounded by silk mums, then simply placed in a smaller vase for an easy autumn look. It’s a simple way to add warm fall color to your porch without using real plants. Shop the fall eucalyptus tree on Amazon.

#LTKHome

Here’s how I pot faux trees for just $4.

I used an old paint sample in the bottom to give the tree some extra height—because if you DIY, you probably have a million of these lying around. 😂

Then I filled the planter with packing paper and filler I save from packages instead of buying anything to fill all that space.

The only thing I bought (besides the planter) was this $4 bag of moss from Amazon. This planter is 12 inches across the top, and one bag was enough to cover it.

The planter is from At Home Stores

#LTKHome

Labor Day deals are everywhere, but these are things I actually own, use and would recommend. 🙌

A few of my favorite rugs, our deep green sofa, the textured lamps in our bedroom, and a bench that’s actually big enough for a king-size bed—all on sale right now.

If you’ve had your eye on any of these, now might be the time!

Comment SALE and I’ll send you the links. 🤎
@Wayfair

#LTKSaleAlert #LTKHome

I love finding inexpensive ways to make builder-grade things feel a little more custom. 🙌

I used the same $25 stick-on trim to create a frame around our TV AND give a plain bathroom mirror a completely different look — no power tools or complicated DIY required.

My biggest tip: Cut the corners at a 45° angle so the pieces meet cleanly and look more like real molding.

One little product, two totally different projects. 🤎

#DIYHome #BudgetDIY #HomeDecorIdeas #AmazonHome #BuilderGradeUpgrade #EasyDIY

#LTKHome

You might not need a bigger house—you might just need to look at the space you already have differently.

I’m always looking for ways to make our builder-grade home work better for real life, and adding closed storage in spaces that weren’t doing much for us has made such a difference.

Behind the sofa, under the TV, along an empty wall, at the end of a bed… those little overlooked spots can hold a LOT without making the room feel like a storage room.

And yes, I will choose furniture that hides clutter whenever possible. 😂

@Wayfair furniture

#LTKSaleAlert #LTKHome

A little moody blue for fall. 🍂🤎

I chose these Lacoste cotton sheets from Wayfair because I love breathable cotton, and the indigo color adds that cozy fall feeling without going with the typical fall colors.

Such an easy way to make the bedroom feel a little warmer and more layered for the season.

Gifted by @wayfair
#WayfairGifted #WayfairCreator

#LTKHome #LTKOver40