Professional home decorators are masters at creating maximum effect for minimal cost. They understand how to design décor that meets the functionality needs of their clients… all within an established budget. Using their tips and tricks, amateur decorators can employ the same strategies within their own homes, creating a winning style without breaking the bank. Here are three tips and tricks that professional decorators use to achieve great results.

1. Start from the Ground Up

Professional designers never forget that people spend much of their time within their homes sitting, so it’s important that interiors look great from a seated position. As a taste for wall-to-wall carpeting continues to decline, designers are more likely to opt for wood floors, both as an easy-care surface and as strong style statement. By installing affordable hardwood floors, decorators achieve grand style at a reasonable expense. Area rugs are often used to add texture, pattern and color. Many decorators also use area rugs to establish the room’s color scheme.

2. Include Unifying Elements

Today’s homeowners prefer rooms that look as if they were decorated over time rather than purchased all at once as a coordinated suite. By including unifying elements, decorators are able to include furnishings and accessories from a variety of decorative styles and periods. The key to this eclectic look is repeat colors, finishes and forms throughout the space to give the room a cohesive look. Whether through light fixtures with the same brass finish, a geometrical shape that’s repeated in several fabrics or wall treatments that echo the primary shade of the room’s color scheme, unifying elements help the room look polished and professional.

3. Strong Design Statements

Every room needs focal points to keep the space from looking cluttered and chaotic. Architectural elements like fireplaces, windows and archways are natural focal points that decorators often enhance to give the space a distinctive style. When architectural elements are absent, focal points can be created with furnishings and accessories that make strong design statements. From an ornate cabinet for a room in a traditional design style to a cutting-edge pendant lighting fixture in mid-century modern room, stellar design statements define the style and character of the space.

With a few design statements that arrest attention and unifying elements to tie it all together, professional decorators make the most of a small budget to achieve a grand style. Anyone can use these three basic design strategies to add a professional flair to their own interiors too.