Interior Design Tips: 5 Items That Make Your Room Actually Look Finished
Have you ever set up a room with all the main pieces — the sofa, the rug, the bed, the dining table — and still felt like something was missing? You’re not imagining it. The difference between a space that feels “fine” and one that feels finished comes down to the details.
Here are five items I always use to take a room from almost-there to complete and polished.
1. Layered Lighting
One overhead light is never enough. A finished room has layers of light — think table lamps, floor lamps, sconces, and maybe even a statement chandelier. This not only makes the space more functional, but also gives it that cozy, inviting glow that overhead lighting alone can’t provide.
2. Artwork That Fits the Scale
Blank walls or tiny art pieces floating in big spaces are dead giveaways that a room isn’t done. The right artwork anchors a space, adds personality, and makes it feel intentional. Bigger is almost always better here — if you think a piece might be too large, it’s probably perfect. And make sure the height of your artwork makes sense for the scale of the room as well. Lower is usually better as a common design mistake is hanging artwork up too high!
3. Window Treatments
Bare windows make even the most beautiful room feel unfinished. Curtains or shades add texture, softness, and warmth — and they frame the view in a way that makes the room look intentional. Pro tip: hang them high and wide so your windows look bigger and the whole space feels taller.
Sometimes I get pushback to adding window treatments because clients feel like they don’t need them. But you have to think of the window treatments as the final accessory to a room, like a necklace is the final accessory to an outfit. It brings it all together and makes the design choices feel more intentional.
By the way, the same goes for rugs in a carpeted space. It might not feel like you need it, but if you add a rug it not only adds color and style to a space, but it grounds the bed and brings everything together.
4. Accessories + Styling Layers
Coffee tables, nightstands, and shelving without styling always feel a little flat. Books, trays, vases, and greenery add depth and life to a room. The key is layering: vary your heights, mix textures, and edit until it feels balanced.
And a great accessory if you want to add a little life to your space, are plants! Live are best, but if you are not up for the responsibility (trust me, I get it). You can do faux plants and they will work visually. I have many clients that opt for faux plants, and I have the absolute best resource for these that look real and high quality. (Just send me an email if you’d like me to share the source).
5. Pillows and Textiles That Feel Luxurious
The right textiles make all the difference. Swap out flat, poly-filled pillows for down or down-alternative inserts (they hold their shape and give that polished designer look). Add a throw, layer in rugs, and you’ll instantly see the room come alive.
The Takeaway
A finished room isn’t about filling every last open space (unless you’re a maximalist, of course!) it’s about layering the right details so the space feels intentional, lived-in, and complete. These five things make the difference between “we just moved in” and “we hired a designer.”