Styling 101: How I Restyled My Vertical Cabinet (Live, Layered & Unfiltered) | Rooms by Roma
Hi roomies—Roma here.
Today I’m doing one of my favorite things: restyling a space just for the joy of it. No big renovation, no shopping spree—just good old-fashioned Styling 101 with my vertical cabinet. Sometimes I do this because I’m bored, sometimes because I want to practice, and honestly? Sometimes because styling is like therapy… but prettier.
If you want to watch the full process unfold in real time, this one was filmed live—meaning you’ll see every decision, adjustment, and a little behind-the-scenes chaos (because design is never as calm as it looks on Instagram).
Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/nI71jvpzgBY
Step One: Clear It All Out
Anytime I restyle a cabinet, shelf, or bookcase, I start by removing everything. This part feels dramatic—but it’s necessary. I staged all my pieces on a couple of tables so I could actually see what I was working with.
This is where the magic begins:
You notice textures you forgot you owned
You rediscover pieces from past travels
You realize you don’t need to buy more—you just need to rethink placement
Yes, roomies, we are shopping our own houses today.
Layer by Layer: Texture, Finish & a Little Sparkle
Once I started rebuilding the cabinet, I worked intentionally and slowly—layering pieces instead of placing them randomly. My goal is always to mix:
Different textures (ceramic, glass, wood, metal)
Varied finishes (matte, glossy, aged, polished)
A touch of shine (because you know I love something sparkly)
Styling isn’t about filling space—it’s about creating visual rhythm.
Why I Don’t Believe in Copy-and-Paste Design
One thing I talk about in the video (and always stand by):
I’m not a fan of copy-and-paste design.
Your home shouldn’t look like a catalog page frozen in time. It should feel collected, layered, and personal. That’s why I love mixing:
CB2 favorites
Travel treasures
Pieces with stories, not just price tags
If it doesn’t mean something—or at least make you smile—it doesn’t need to live there.
Pro Styling Tip: Lighted Cabinets Done Right
Here’s one of my go-to tricks, especially for lighted cabinets:
If the lighting fades toward the bottom (and it usually does), place lighter-colored objects on the lower shelves. This helps everything read clean, intentional, and balanced—without looking heavy or forgotten.
It’s a small detail, but details are where good styling lives.
Live Styling = Real Design
Because this was filmed live, you’re seeing the real process:
Pieces being swapped
Heights being adjusted
Moments where something almost worked—and didn’t
That’s real design. It’s not perfect. It’s intuitive. And it evolves.
If you want to see how I make those decisions in real time, definitely watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/nI71jvpzgBY
Final Thoughts
If this blog (or video) inspires you to restyle a shelf, cabinet, or corner of your home—without buying a single new thing—then it did its job.
Design isn’t about perfection.
It’s about practice, play, and letting your space grow with you.
For more styling tips, home inspiration, and cozy design chats you can read at your own pace, visit roomsbyroma.com.
As always, roomies—
thank you for creating with me.
