I want to let you in on a little design secret…

Typically, when we work on home décor projects, our attention goes to the BIG things: the sofa, the bed, the dresser, the dining table and the like. But even when you start there, you can still walk into your room and feel a sense of incompleteness. You might even wonder if the room looks worse.

This is a common decorating dilemma. And it’s the reason we determine every customer’s “art and accessories” budget during an initial assessment.

So the next time you’re shopping for arts & accessories, try to fight the temptation to wonder: “Does it really matter?”

I’m here to tell you that it does matter. Your accessories give your space its final finishing touches and the well-curated designer style you’re looking for. Beyond that, your art and accessories are a fun way to express your personality, unique style and also push the envelope with “riskier” objects.

So how do you select the right accessories for your space?

Here are my top five tried-and-true tips:

Tip 1: Create collections of similar style objects.

For most of us, it’s hard to resist picking up more than one of an item we love. To create the “wow” factor in your design, do the same and collect more than one object with similar style finishes.

You can see this in practice with this well-curated collection of Antique Glass Objects:

Use this on an entry table or on a buffet year-round.

I also love this collection of vintage style ex-voto objects. These would be stunning in a bookshelf or on a tabletop.

Pro Tip: Look for at least 3-5 of the same objects and vary the heights. When in doubt, go for a ratio of small, medium, tall.

Tip 2: Should you follow the décor trends?

It depends. If you love the latest design trends such as gold touches or geode-crystal accents, embrace it and start a collection.

If not, collect and display what you already love, such as cream ware, transfer ware, vintage wine bottles, or engravings – whatever makes your heart sing!

In my home, I recently added a collection of these beautiful leather bound books to add the finishing touches to a vintage secretary in my guest room.

Tip 3: Include Lighting Accents in Your Accessory Plan

Special lighting adds warmth to any room. A secret designer trick is to add a pair of sconces to any wall to instantly create a designer touch. You can do this on a foyer wall, a hallway wall, inside a niche, in a bathroom or even outdoors.

Skip those boring basic lamps and opt for a truly stylish pair that expresses your personality.

Tip 4: When in doubt, include this surefire color in your accessorizing. It works with every décor style and color palette.

Add some green to your décor. Green is one of the most prevalent colors in nature and effortlessly exudes comfort and ease in any space.

Pro tip: Add some green into your décor with these stylish, easy to use boxwoods.

Tip 5: Make accessorizing your rooms intentional.

Are your home accessories just an afterthought?

To truly create a designer swoon-worthy space, make your accessorizing intentional. Set aside a portion of your budget and devote time to your accessory search. Refer to your room’s existing color palette to help guide your selections so you have eye-catching consistency and repetition throughout your project. By doing these simple steps, you will enjoy the creative process and fall in love with the stunning results.

As you can see, sometimes the smallest changes have the BIGGEST impact.

Share your upcoming projects in the comments below! I’d love to hear from you.

If you have a friend, family member or co-worker who would love to learn how they can transform their space this Spring, share this post with them (they’ll thank you!).