Let’s face it: decorating – as joyful and rewarding as it is – can feel overwhelming when you’re just getting started. You want to paint the walls, replace the kitchen cabinets, buy new lampshades – the list quickly spirals. The temptation to do it all at once is real, but the reality? It’s simply too much.
That’s where the ‘three-tweak method' comes in. Created by TikToker Anna Stephens, the approach is exactly what it sounds like: committing to three small changes in your home each week.
‘3 tweaks per week’ is Anna’s ongoing series, where she makes three manageable decorating updates to her apartment every seven days. According to Anna, it’s about the ‘practise of flexing my creative muscles and also trying to find my personal interior design style and niche’.
One week, that might mean painting a bathroom door and rearranging the furniture in her office. Another, it could be taking down garlands or adjusting a pair of curtains. The changes are simple, achievable and refreshingly low-pressure.
Ultimately, the three-tweak method reframes decorating as an evolving process rather than a one-off overhaul. It offers a structured yet creative way to improve your home gradually – and, in doing so, helps you build confidence and define your personal style along the way.
Why should you try the three-tweak method?
In a world of so many methods and decorating rules, what makes this one special? The simple answer is that it’s a more realistic way of getting things done.
‘Especially when we’re busy, the thought of completely redecorating a room can be overwhelming, and this can mean that we don’t take any action at all. This idea of making three small changes each week is a great way to ease your way into understanding what you do and don’t like, in terms of your interior style,’ Kris Manalo, head of design at Atkin and Thyme, tells us.
When it comes to decorating, half the battle is often having the confidence to make big changes to your home. However, with the three-tweak method, suddenly the idea of doing something different becomes less daunting.
‘Making small, bite-sized changes each week helps people experiment with colour, texture and layout without feeling overwhelmed and it builds confidence over time as you learn what genuinely works for your space,’ says Freddie Armstrong, managing director for Traditional Beams.
What ‘tweaks’ can you try at home this week?
So what will your three decorating tweaks be this week? To help you decide, we’ve asked experts for their recommendations on what small and simple changes decorators can make to their homes.
Update your soft furnishings
'One of the simplest tweaks you can make this week is updating soft furnishings. Introducing a bright throw or a few new cushions on a neutral sofa can completely shift the mood of a room, particularly if you adjust colours and textures with the season,' says Holly Lamont, founder and creative director of Studio Holla Design.
Make some small bathroom changes
When it comes to bathrooms, 'updating taps and brassware is one of the simplest ways to sharpen the space,' says Yiota Toumba, senior interior designer at the Villeroy & Boch Group. If this feels like too big a task, Yiota recommends some lower-lift alternatives. 'Even switching out towels or adding a small shelf can shift the mood and make the space feel more organised without any real upheaval.'
Upgrade your rug
'Rugs are a simple but impactful way to inject personality into interiors, transforming the feel of a room from the ground up. The great thing about rugs is they are easy to store away and switch to make easy, seasonal decor upgrades,' says Lizzie Mosley, creative director at Hug Rug.
Move your mirrors
Want to make a space feel bigger and brighter? 'Tighter spaces in the home can be elevated when carefully placing mirrors. Natural light repels instantly back into a room with a large mirror, which can transform any dark space into brightness,' Melissa Denham, interior design expert at Hammonds Furniture, says.
Tackle one area of clutter
'Another impactful change is refining storage to reduce visual clutter. Decanting kitchen staples into colourful jars or tins, editing open shelving or investing in discreet storage baskets can make a space feel calmer and more intentional immediately,' says Holly.
Change up your lights
'Lighting is another simple tweak that can make a statement without changing too much. Multiple sources of light can be combined to layer tones and heights and are easily changeable. Mixing floor lamps with table lamps will add a cosy look to any living space,' says Melissa.
