Key Points
- Window treatments frame a room, add privacy, and balance natural light for a polished look.
- Art, rugs, and lighting add warmth, texture, and personality, making spaces feel lived-in.
- Personal touches like photos or vintage finds bring authenticity and complete a room’s design.
When it comes to interior design, there’s often one lingering question after the furniture is placed and the walls are painted: What makes a room feel truly finished?
While every designer has their own opinion on the one thing that completes a room, many of the pros we talked to agreed that window treatments are one design element that consistently brings a space together.
From drapes to shades, this design detail tops the list of must-haves for a complete and inviting room. But that’s not the only thing that can help complete a room. Below, we share finishing touches that the pros say help complete a room’s look.
Meet the Experts
- Pamela O’Brien is president and lead designer at Pamela Hope Designs
- Veronica Sanders is the CEO and principal interior designer at Design With Veronica Sanders
- Kerrie Kelly is the CEO and creative director at Kerrie Kelly Studio
Window Treatments
Credit:
Design by Pamela Hope Designs / Photo by Kerry Kirk
Window treatments do more than add style to a room. They also offer privacy, lighting control, and add depth and personality to a space.
Pamela O’Brien, president and lead designer at Pamela Hope Designs, recommends “to hang window treatments such as draperies that frame the windows and offer privacy and light filtering properties.”
Controlling the lighting in a room can help set the right ambiance.
Veronica Sanders of Design with Veronica Sanders explains that a room with too much light can be a strain on the eyesight, and she suggests controlling lighting with window treatments to help set the mood and function of the space.
“Even blinds feel like they’re floating on the walls when they’re not framed with window treatments. Window treatments are one of the quickest and easiest ways to frame a space and give a room life,” she adds.
Adding window treatments is a versatile way to add style to a room, and you can complete a space using window treatments at many different price points.
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Art and Accessories
Credit:
Design by Veronica Sanders / Photo by Aaron Dougherty
Designers often turn to art and other accessories to bring personality and warmth into a space. These elements make a room feel lived-in and loved rather than just styled.
O’Brien recommends adding art to express your personal style. “Art on the walls can express your personality and add interest to the walls.”
She suggests sourcing pieces from art fairs, student shows, and thrift shops to help keep costs low.
Sanders points out that blank walls can feel sterile, comparing them to hospital rooms.
“Art adds color, texture, and interest to a space,” she says, “giving the eyes something to dance around to and thus making the space feel cozier and more complete.”
The sky’s the limit when it comes to art. If you’re on a budget, you can DIY your artwork for a truly original look that will make a room your own.
Personal Items and Photos
Credit:
Design by Kerrie Kelly Studio / Photo by Lindsey King
To make a space feel personal, you can tastefully incorporate photos and other meaningful objects. These types of items help tell your story and create a sense of permanence.
Kerrie Kelly, CEO and creative director at Kerrie Kelly Studio, says personalization in a room like “a well-framed photograph, a vintage find, or a favorite book infuses authenticity, transforming a beautiful space into a meaningful one.”
Rugs
Credit:
Design by Pamela Hope Designs / Photo by Kerry Kirk
Rugs can do it all when it comes to elevating a room. They add texture, color, interest, and comfort. Rugs are another design element that’s popular among the experts for their ability to anchor a room and add comfort.
O’Brien explains that a rug “is soft underfoot and helps anchor the living area or bed in the room.” Grouping furniture around a rug creates a natural spot for lounging and conversation.
Rugs are easy to find in any design style and at various price points, so you can easily find something that works for your room.
Lighting
Credit:
Design by Veronica Sanders / Photo by Aaron Dougherty
Sanders describes lighting as “the jewelry of any room.” She emphasizes the transformative power of the right fixture, saying it “can add contrast and interest, while the wrong light fixtures can make a space feel dated and incomplete.”
She recommends updating lighting during renovations, adding recessed lights, dimmers, and pendants to set the mood and scale.
“The light emitted fills the room, sometimes adding color play with shadow, not to mention style,” she says.
Texture and Proportion
Credit:
Design by Kerrie Kelly Studio / Photo by Lindsey King
Kelly brings a holistic perspective to what helps make a room feel finished. She believes it’s all about balancing “texture, proportion, and personalization.”
She suggests layering tactile materials like linen, wood, and metal to add depth and elegance, while thoughtful furniture placement creates visual harmony.