Whether you’re decorating your new Signature home or freshening up the décor, great design is in the details. Dive into these decorating basics to discover a few tips for designing a home full of style you’ll love.

Inviting entrance. Before your guests get into the rest of your home, they will be welcomed by your entryway. The entry is where you make your first impression so make sure it shines. Add a fresh coat of paint to the front door with a little sheen for protection, purchase a new door mat and add a potted plant.

Keep yours walls light. Neutral walls give you the greatest decorating flexibility, allowing you to easily switch up your accessories.

Add color. Every room needs at least a few pops of color. Use accessories or an accent wall to show off your personality.

Raise the ceiling. Leaning a large mirror against a wall, painting your ceilings white and hanging curtains several inches higher than the windows can make the room feel taller.

Scale artwork. The center of any painting should be at eye-level. Take scale into account; for a large wall, go big with one oversize piece or group smaller pieces gallery-style.

Add mirrors. Hanging a mirror in every room will make a space feel brighter. Place mirrors on walls perpendicular to windows to bounce the light around the room and bring beautiful outdoor views inside.

Group furniture. Move furniture into groupings for a cozy, lived-in feel that invites conversation. Floating the furniture away from the walls will make the room feel larger.

Scale furniture. A large room should have large furniture, medium rooms should have medium-sized furniture, and small rooms, should have more petite furniture.

Anchor rugs. The rug should define the seating area. All four legs, at the very least two, of the sofa and chairs in a furniture grouping should fit on it. Layering rugs can add depth and added style to a room.

Layer lighting. Every room should have three kinds of lighting: ambient, task, accent. Mix standing and table lamps into your design, and consider putting your ceiling fixtures on dimmers for a homey and sophisticated feel.

Keep curtains simple. Buy two colors of functional and elegant drapes and change them out seasonally. Lightweight fabrics like cotton, linen, and silk blends tend to hang well.

The rule of threes. Arranging decorative pieces like candles, vases, table plants, or flowers in groups of threes.

Bring the outside in. Use plants to add color, texture, and life to every room. Make sure your houseplants are pet and child friendly. Mirrors can do the trick too.

Storage is key. Look for pieces that can have more than one use and takes up less space. Store any item that you may only reach for once a year.

Personalize it. Mix and match patterns, materials, and eras to add your own custom touch to your home décor.

Invest Where It Matters. Invest in the pieces that anchor a room. Sofa for living room, bed for bedroom, etc…

For more design and decor ideas that inspire the way we live, visit our Signature Homes Design Inspiration Pinterest Board and view our projects and ideabooks on Houzz!

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