Key Points
\nWindow 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\u2019s design.<\/p>\n
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?\n<\/p>\n
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.\n<\/p>\n
From drapes to shades, this design detail tops the list of must-haves for a complete and inviting room. But that\u2019s 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.\n<\/p>\n
Meet the Experts<\/p>\n
Pamela O’Brien<\/a> is president and lead designer at Pamela Hope Designs Window Treatments <\/p>\n Credit: <\/p>\n Design by Pamela Hope Designs<\/a> \/ Photo by Kerry Kirk<\/a><\/p>\n Window treatments<\/a> do more than add style to a room. They also offer privacy, lighting control, and add depth and personality to a space.\n<\/p>\n 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.”\n<\/p>\n Controlling the lighting in a room can help set the right ambiance.\n<\/p>\n 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.\n<\/p>\n “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.\n<\/p>\n 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.\n<\/p>\n Want more design inspiration? Sign up for our free daily newsletter<\/a> for the latest decor ideas, designer tips, and more!<\/p>\n Art and Accessories <\/p>\n Credit: <\/p>\n Design by Veronica Sanders<\/a> \/ Photo by Aaron Dougherty<\/a><\/p>\n 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.\n<\/p>\n O’Brien recommends adding art to express your personal style. “Art<\/a> on the walls can express your personality and add interest to the walls.”\n<\/p>\n She suggests sourcing pieces from art fairs, student shows, and thrift shops to help keep costs low.\n<\/p>\n Sanders points out that blank walls can feel sterile, comparing them to hospital rooms.\n<\/p>\n \u201cArt adds color, texture, and interest to a space,\u201d she says, \u201cgiving the eyes something to dance around to and thus making the space feel cozier and more complete.\u201d\n<\/p>\n 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.\n<\/p>\n Personal Items and Photos <\/p>\n Credit: <\/p>\n Design by Kerrie Kelly Studio<\/a> \/ Photo by Lindsey King<\/a><\/p>\n 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.\n<\/p>\n 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.”<\/p>\n Rugs <\/p>\n Credit: <\/p>\n Design by Pamela Hope Designs<\/a> \/ Photo by Kerry Kirk<\/a><\/p>\n Rugs can do it all when it comes to elevating a room. They add texture, color, interest, and comfort. Rugs<\/a> are another design element that’s popular among the experts for their ability to anchor a room and add comfort.\n<\/p>\n 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.\n<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Lighting <\/p>\n Credit: <\/p>\n Design by Veronica Sanders<\/a> \/ Photo by Aaron Dougherty<\/a><\/p>\n Sanders describes lighting<\/a> 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.”\n<\/p>\n She recommends updating lighting during renovations, adding recessed lights, dimmers, and pendants to set the mood and scale.\n<\/p>\n “The light emitted fills the room, sometimes adding color play with shadow, not to mention style,” she says.<\/p>\n Texture and Proportion <\/p>\n Credit: <\/p>\n Design by Kerrie Kelly Studio<\/a> \/ Photo by Lindsey King<\/a><\/p>\n Kelly brings a holistic perspective to what helps make a room feel finished. She believes it’s all about balancing “texture, proportion, and personalization.”\n<\/p>\n She suggests layering tactile materials like linen, wood, and metal to add depth and elegance, while thoughtful furniture placement creates visual harmony.<\/p>\n
\nVeronica Sanders<\/a> is the CEO and principal interior designer at Design With Veronica Sanders
\nKerrie Kelly<\/a> is the CEO and creative director at Kerrie Kelly Studio<\/p>\n