It takes years to gather the things that comprise a well-stocked home and this is the accessories checklist I’ve used for 25 plus years of homemaking, entertaining, designing homes and choosing merchandise for my design stores in Northern California.

Hosting several family holidays a year, I keep plenty of these things on hand, both decorative items and the ones that are useful. My definition of a well-stocked home is one that’s evolved. It’s a mixture of eras and styes. It’s edited, but seldom minimal.

Here is the short list I’d start with for your living room, dining room and entry. Use it when you’re ready to elevate your tables, hutches and any other surfaces you’d like to look evolved and unstudied.

A Well-Stocked Home Begins with Anchor Accessories

Anchors add function, scale and texture, and they fill your surfaces in a natural, unstudied way. When you choose these first, adding the smaller things become much easier.

Table lamps. Choose classic shapes and beautiful finishes. Solid colors, or mercury or clear glass, with linen or silk drum or bell shades. Avoid overly flared shades, which are hard to work with spatially.

Hardbound books. Nothing anchors a space like stack of hardbound design or coffee table books. Stack them three to five high so the collection feels well rounded. Never discard your hard bound books, especially design books. It takes a while to build a library of books, and I’ve never regretted building my own. Years from now you’ll appreciate having them.

Dated though they may seem, they represent that time in your life and what you loved. 

Baskets. Woven baskets bring texture, scale and storage, and they pair beautifully with modern pieces, antiques and heirlooms. Buy a variety of sizes, but keep the color and value, light to dark, consistent. Use well-made baskets or omit them altogether as the cheaper ones tend to make the rest of your home look ‘less quality’ by inference.

Pillows and throws. Go for down filling, ideally 20-inch squares in the best fabrics, with a few 22-inch and 18-inch sizes for variety. I love contrasting welts or brushed fringe. Choose throws in quality fabric and understated color.

Your older furnishings aren’t the problem… it’s knowing what to do with them

You may have well-made furniture, inherited pieces and furnishings you’ve collected over the years, but they’re starting to look dated or worn. Knowing what to keep, what to update and what to add can be overwhelming.

The Meaningful Makeover Home Design Experience guides you through a simple three-part method to refresh your home with updated fabrics, finishes and thoughtful additions, creating rooms that feel elevated, cohesive and uniquely yours.

Discover the → Meaningful Makeover Home Design Experience

Candlesticks, Decorative Planters and Greenery Checklist

The following are secondary items — meaning you’ll place them after you’ve chosen and placed your anchor pieces. This checklist has great accessories to add to your own well stocked home.

Candlesticks. Look for classic shapes and high-quality finishes. If you’re uncertain about the quality, it’s because it’s likely not great. Avoid oversized candlesticks, which are telltale signs of amateur decor. Keep them no higher than 18 inches.

Planters & Pots. Choose high-quality ceramics in classic shapes, colors and finishes. Casual-style pots and jardinières suit all but the most formal homes.

Quality Faux Topiary & Hydrangeas. Choose high-quality faux topiary and hydrangeas that look realistic. They bring the look of nature indoors while adding height, texture and a welcome touch of greenery. 

Hydrangeas in white, pale peach and chartreuse are ideal. But the dark rose and bright blue hydrangeas look wonderful in the right setting too, particularly in coastal schemes.

The pots that come with faux topiary and other plants and florals are never great. Plan to purchase the pots and planters separately. When buying pots, planters (old garden terra cotta pots, baskets and vintage trophy cups work well too) for your faux plants, you can go a little larger if your space seems to need it.

Meaningful Accessories and Novelties Checklist for the Well Stocked Home

Fill obviously sparse spots with things that have history or meaning for you: a small photo in a beautiful frame, an heirloom, a decorative box from your travels. The pieces passed down to me are the hardest to part with, and they deserve to be seen. Novelties are fine but use them judiciously.

A small photo in a beautiful frame
Heirlooms or sentimental objects
A stack of beautiful luncheon plates
Candles in the shape of fruits or vegetables
A small basket to hold keys and sunglasses
Faux ostrich eggs
Vintage serving platters or bowls filled with lemons or faux fruit
Wine bottle candles
A pair of sweet place card holders you love
A decorative box you picked up in your travels
An assortment of crystal or silverplate votives w/ tealight candles
Vintage silver baby cups — sweet in bedrooms or your dining area

Serving Pieces Accessories Checklist

Though too formal for some, serving pieces are beautiful accessories when used in offhanded ways or styled in an orderly fashion, like a nicely merchandised shop.

Platters, bowls, plates and stemware are great in China cabinets and on dining tables or breakfronts. When casual, even high-quality tea sets can be used in offhanded ways such as on an entry sideboard or a bedroom nightstand.

Avoid over styling — instead opt for an ordered appearance. Serving pieces were originally meant to be seen. When classic and simple, they can be a wonderful part of the decor. The look is actually natural and functional, rather than the accessories.

Platters, stacks of dinner or luncheon plates
Stemware
Soup tureens
Bowls
Tea sets (silver, ceramic, pewter or China)
Pitchers and carafes
Covered dishes and compote

Download the Decorating with Heirlooms, Antiques and Vintage

Download “Decorating with Heirlooms, Antiques and Vintage” here…

Refresh your home around your heirlooms, antiques and vintage pieces with thoughtful ways to showcase meaningful pieces. You’ll get a curated approach to mixing inherited items with your current furnishings; ideas for highlighting age, character, and craftsmanship — without creating a dated look; and inspiration for refreshing older pieces with a designer’s eye.

For more on wellness design and easy home makeovers, check out my post “Give Your Home a Wellness Makeover in One Weekend” plus, the link to my interview with award winning anchor Deirdre Fitzpatrick