If you’ve ever wondered what kinds of rules professionals abide by when designing homes for clients, you’re in luck.

We’ve tapped three interior designers and asked them to share five key practices that they always make sure to implement when planning and decorating a space of any kind. Be sure to follow suit as you tackle your own design project, and you just might be surprised at how wonderful the end result is after channeling the outlook of a pro.

A Curated Look Is Key

Designers emphasize the significance of creating a home that looks well-curated and not overly styled.

“A home should feel like it’s been thoughtfully collected over time, not like it came straight out of a showroom,” Sara Swabb, the founder of Storie Collective, says.

On this note, it’s important to not rush the design process, adds Liz Kirby, the founder of Surf Road Interiors.

“A well-designed home is curated based on the individualism of who lives there,” she says. “You should be using pieces that are meaningful to your life.”

This also means saying no to impulse buys from big box stores, Kirby adds. Instead, shop a variety of retailers so that your space doesn’t have any chance of resembling a showroom. This may mean bringing in some antiques or heirloom pieces, too. Swabb encourages people to artfully mix and match vintage and new pieces within their space and to also bring in plenty of texture.

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Multiple Textures Are Essential

Speaking of texture, Taylor Fusco, the founder of Tay Fusco Design, goes into more detail regarding the significance of textural pieces within a home—in short, mixing various textures is an essential step in creating a professional-looking space, she explains.

“Using all the same materiality can look flat and one note; mixing textures and trims makes you look like a seasoned pro,” Fusco says.

For example, the designer shares, try pairing a velvet sofa with a leather accent chair, or place a boucle loveseat next to a linen ottoman for some welcome variety. You can also get textural when it comes to the walls. Try a grasscloth style wallpaper or plaster paint finish, display framed textiles, hang a tapestry, and more.

Items Should Have Purpose

Swabb also shares the importance of filling a home with items that have purpose and meaning.

“Every piece in a home should serve a role, whether it’s functional, sentimental, or simply beautiful,” she says. “I always tell clients to be intentional—layer lighting for warmth, choose quality over quantity, and bring in pieces that tell their story.”

A bonus of taking this approach is that your space will be filled with instant conversation starters when guests stop by. You’ll be able to speak to that special bowl you picked up on your travels or talk about why you were so drawn to that painting from a local artist’s booth.

You Need a Plan Before You Shop

To Swabb’s point, it is therefore important to have a clear sense of direction before ordering pieces for your home, Kirby adds. Kirby recommends nailing down your color scheme and design style. Once you’ve found a palette and decor scheme, you can pick pieces that fit well to create a cohesive look.

Not working with a pro designer? You can utilize online resources such as Pinterest to save images that speak to your style and then put together a mood board of your own that you can consult while shopping either in person or online. This will help you to ensure everything you’re adding to your cart contributes to your greater vision.

The Right Lighting Works Wonders

Fusco encourages homeowners not to underestimate the power of decorative lighting in taking any kind of space to the next level. She recommends thinking outside the box and using a novelty light fixtures as a statement piece.

For example, Fusco likes to opt for a pleated printed fabric shade on a wall sconce, cluster some pendants in a bare corner, or weave a pretty sconce into a gallery wall.

“Decorating your walls doesn’t just mean that you need to use art,” she says.