There’s something special about a room that’s put together by an interior designer. Whether it’s a posh and polished bedroom or an office that exudes contemporary cool, creating spaces that feel just right requires the perfect combination of furniture, lighting, and accessories—not to mention a keen eye for scale, materials, and color.

However, for many people, the design process can be daunting. With so many options available, it’s easy to overdecorate and end up with a jumbled tableau—or hold back to the point where a space just feels flat. 

But pulling together a refined room doesn’t have to be a herculean task; it’s much easier if you know some insider tips and tricks. Here, we asked the pros to spill their decorating secrets for every area of the home—read on to learn what they had to say.

Don’t Be Afraid of Color

“A little color can really brighten a room, and there are lots of ways to use it,” says interior designer Laura Jenkins. “If you don’t want to saturate the walls, consider buying a colorful sofa. I love a deep blue, maroon, or patterned sofa, which can really set your room apart.”

For example, for a residential project in Charleston, Jenkins used a baby-blue sectional to bring warmth to an all-white sitting area. She’s also designed multiple kitchens with cabinetry painted in sophisticated jewel tones.

Showcase Your Collections

Everyone has an assortment of things they like to put on display. For some it’s vacation souvenirs, for others it’s ceramics or vintage finds. To prevent your home from veering into thrift-store territory, interior designer Caitlin Jones Ghajar suggests “group[ing] multiple items together on a tray to create a pulled-together look.” She tried this in a home bar, where a cocktail set, glassware, and spirits sit together on a minimal tray. 

“Layers and accessories are what make a house a home and help an interior feel unique to the person living there,” says Jenkins. For those who are on the hunt for meaningful accessories, she suggests looking no further than your own backyard.

“I like to tell my clients to find a couple of types of items they want to collect—for example, pottery,” she adds. “Pottery is a great accessory that you can collect during your travels, at thrift stores, and at your local festivals. It’s a great way to support local artisans, while also building your collection.”

Illuminate Your Space

All designers agree that lighting is important, but that doesn’t mean packing a room with bulbs and calling it a day. Lighting should be placed mindfully, with attention to tone and brightness.

Jones Ghajar prefers accent lighting, citing it as an ideal way to set a softer tone in most rooms. “Turn those can lights off!” she says. “While useful in task-oriented situations, you don’t need them for most daily activities.”

Julia Miller, creative director at Yond Interiors, agrees that bringing in standalone options can improve a vignette’s visual interest. “We’re huge fans of layered lighting,” she says. “We love a statement floor lamp as an opportunity to create a sense of height and sculpture in a space.”

Always Add Art

You don’t have to be a blue-chip collector to have great taste in art. If you find something you love—at a local gallery, flea market, or craft fair—then it’s definitely worth displaying. Paintings, sculpture, and photography highlight your interests, and add depth to your walls.

Plus, according to Jenkins, art doesn’t have to cost a fortune. “It’s critical to interiors,” she notes, “but not everyone has the budget for large, original art.” She recommends scouring antique stores and online auctions. “Another great resource can be college art school sales. Buying from artists early in their careers not only supports them; you can also find fairly reasonable pricing.”

Set It in Stone

Recently, bold marble has been all over social media. For years, white and gray stones dominated, but as of late, slabs with intense veining and purple, green, and red hues are cropping up more and more.

If you’re not sure about taking the plunge with a new sink or countertops, Miller finds that smaller, non-permanent pieces are a safe bet for testing the waters. “Natural stone side tables are a great way to add interest to a space,” she says. “You can find stone on Etsy in materials like Calacatta viola and travertine.” 

Play With Pillows and Fabrics

All three industry experts agree that adding throw pillows (on a sofa, in a bed, or to your chairs) is one of the simplest ways to elevate your décor. Jenkins recommends a colorful couch to bring contrast into a living room, but, “if you aren’t ready to take the sofa plunge, add pillows and a fun throw.”

Jones Ghajar seconds the notion. “Decorative pillows are a quick and fun way to add personality and pop to a space,” she says. “Rather than buying multiple of the same style, try mixing up textures and patterns to create a layered and more dynamic aesthetic.”

For Miller, it’s all about the shape. “We love integrating round or circular decorative pillows in our projects, as opposed to just the usual squares or lumbars,” she says. “Adding in new and fresh shapes keeps spaces feeling special and interesting.”

Don’t Hold Out on Hardware

When it comes to kitchens and bathrooms, it doesn’t take a full-scale renovation to freshen things up. A simple swap of cabinet handles and drawer pulls is a low-barrier option to add a little glamour to the space.

“While subtle, when you choose high-quality cabinet hardware, the visuals are enhanced as well as end experience,”  says Jones Ghajar. “Ideally, source solid brass or bronze in an unlacquered finish that will patina over time.”