Ask the Designer: What is Your Favorite Decorating Trick? via Real Simple

What is Your Favorite Decorating Trick?

Jamie Drake
Coat your boring wood furniture with high-gloss paint. White can be dazzling and crisp, or use a vibrant color to really make a statement.

Images from Design Sponge

Philip Gorrivan
Installing fabric or wallpaper on the ceiling adds depth and takes advantage of a large surface that otherwise would go unnoticed.

Photo from NYMag.com via AT;LA

Susan Hable Smith
Using liquid starch as a wall adhesive lets you apply fabric--in an artful pattern or to cover up expanse--and easily take it down without damaging the walls.

Image via Ohdeedoh

Suzanne Kasler
To paint a really bold color on the ceiling. I've done that when I want to punch up a room but would rather not use a bright color on all four walls.

Image from Gio Ponti via AT;LA

Foley & Cox
We find whimsical illustrations from vintage children's books and put them in modern white frames. The give character to a playroom, a child's bedroom, or a bathroom--where you don't want to expose valuable art to steam.

Image from Domino via AT;LA

Charlotte Moss
You can get a lot of mileage from repurposing an inexpensive sheet. Try using a pretty embroidered one as a tablecloth in the dining room, or cut a piece from a graphic one and wrap it around a lamp shade.