What's better than one rug? Two! Layer a smaller rug on top of a larger one to add dimension to a room. In this living room, the smaller rug defines the seating group. This trick works well if you have your eye on a rug that's a little pricey. If you start with a simple, solid base rug, you can buy a smaller, less expensive rug to add the pattern you crave.

Bedding sets are easy because everything is already pulled together for you. But the overall look can sometimes lack a little pizzazz. Swap out one or two items in your bedding set for something new, such as bright blue shams that pick up on the stripe in your duvet.

For a less permanent take on a pop of color, look to pillows, which can be purchased (or made) for a song and are easy to switch out. Buy a few basic pillow forms, then buy or make new pillow covers when the itch for a new look strikes.

Bring geology into your decor. Include real geodes and agates in a vignette. Or take the less literal route and use fabric or pillows bearing geode and agate patterns.

Not just for art, this soft and gauzy technique makes a splash on everything from fabric to tableware. Try watercolor patterns that include deep colors for a strong presence.

With a light construction and a reach to lofty heights, an etagere draws a commanding presence without taking up much visual space. These towers of shelves are ideal for living rooms, bathrooms, and dining rooms and provide plenty of storage and display space.

Lauded for its warmth and sheen, gold is a must-have metal in decor. It brings both richness and coziness to a space. Try a burnished finish for a subtle look.

One unique chair paired with a desk or a sofa can make a room sing. Look for a chair that has a standout frame or eye-catching upholstery. Select a chair that will mesh with the scale and style of the rest of the furniture. This wishbone chair is the right fit for the desk but would look diminutive next to a large sofa.

Combine utilitarian and rough-hewn for an of-the-moment look. Both industrial and rustic decor imbue a utilitarian feel. Industrial style takes its inspiration from machinery, and rustic elements are drawn from rural settings. Get the look by using metals and woods with worn finishes, clean-lined furnishings, and plenty of chic gray.

Switch subjects and take a decorating cue from geography. Frame maps for wall art or decoupage pages from old atlases on a variety of surfaces. Globes also make world-class additions to displays and vignettes.

Think of your home as the museum of your life. Instead of stashing mementos in boxes, find ways to use them in your decorating. Frame memorable ephemera, put vacation souvenirs on display, and include favorite family pictures throughout the house.

For chairs that aren't pushed up against a wall or tucked into a corner, consider an unexpected treatment for the chair backs. In instances where the backs of chairs are highly visible, such as dining room chairs or armchairs that "float" in a room, a different fabric or a contrasting color adds flair.

Wallpaper is a decorating tool that is back and better than ever. Fresh colors, patterns, and textures bring wallpaper back into the spotlight as a sophisticated option for walls. For a small change, consider wallpapering just one wall in a room or the back of a bookshelf.

If you're springing for new floors, consider laying the planks on a diagonal for an unexpected twist.