8 Decorating Rules Meant to Be Broken—and 1 to Live By

A monochromatic palette might bore you. And it stands to reason that a burst of color would really spice things up. Instead of doing something dramatic, though, think about adding visual interest, not through color, but through the liberal use of different textures and materials. See how this hammered tabletop and the furniture's natural woven fabrics manage to bring depth to an otherwise neutral living room?

Even small furniture can suffocate a small room, if you fill the space with too many different pieces. Rather than go overboard, opt instead for only one or two larger pieces. Doing so can actually help you achieve a greater feeling of spaciousness. When it comes to color, a little goes a long way. Experiment with dark or bold shades to make a strong statement that stops short of being overwhelming.

Love a particular color? Drench yourself in it. Bright paint overhead casts a vibrant glow, welcoming kindred accent pieces, including window furniture, pieces of furniture, and even place settings.

Window treatments provide privacy and keep light at bay, but they can serve other purposes as well, adding dimension and interest to would-be blank walls, or by functioning as a room divider in an open-plan space.

With all of the fabulous wallpapers available these days, why limit yourself to the walls? Branch out by using sections of wallpaper inside shelving, on the recessed panels of doors and cabinets, or even on the ceiling.

Even if you've got your heart set on hardwood flooring, it's worth considering the alternatives. Sometimes, materials that only look like wood can be just as good as—or even better than—the real thing. Explore your options now!