There is no denying the true transformational ability of good interior design. The trick, however, is to possess sufficient knowledge of a range of design techniques in order to make any type of space work for those who use it the most. Review the tips and tricks in the piece that follows, and you will soon know how to make any room in your home a true expression of your personal style.

Start your interior design project with a mood board. A mood board is a large cardboard display with different ideas for a room pasted on to it and written on it. You can get ideas from magazines, online and from television shows. The board will give you a visual of your own style, and help you to design a room that fits your taste.

Figure out what you want the focal point of the room to be. This is going to be one thing that the room is going to center around. It can be a window, a desk, a piece of artwork – whatever you’d like it to be. Once you know what your focal point is, you can arrange the room so that it compliments that focal point.

Keep up with the latest trends in home design and make sure your home hasn’t become dated. You don’t want to be that person that looks like they’re stuck in the 70’s, with old and tacky wallpaper. See what others are doing to their home nowadays.

Don’t be afraid of color! So many people keep white walls in their home simply because they are unsure what colors would work for them. You don’t have to go crazy with color–even painting one wall a vibrant color will change the feel of a room. If you are afraid to paint, start with throw pillows in bright colors and see what you think.

Avoid catering to any design trends that are currently popular. These trends are often expensive, and they’ll be out of style fairly quickly. Go with something timeless that you think looks good. Don’t let what current trends say are good influence how you want your place to look. Follow your heart, not a trendy magazine.

Only wallpaper half of the wall. Wallpaper can get expensive quickly. Think outside the box and use wallpaper on only portions of your walls. Give your wallpaper a bolder border and then paint the rest. Doing this will save you money and leave you with stylish walls.

Use many levels of lighting. By utilizing lighting in your design you can accomplish multiple looks in one room. An overhead light is typically necessary, but try installing a dimmer switch so you can vary the level and create ambiance in the evening. Install accent lighting to bring focus to art pieces. Task lighting is also important for reading nooks or kitchen prep areas. Multi-level lighting will allow you to create many vibes with one design.

A smart, comprehensive interior design plan can take a drab space and turn it into something spectacular. Sadly, many lack the knowledge of fundamental design principles necessary to make such transformations happen. Make sure to read and review the ideas and concepts in the piece above regularly so that they become second nature and you will never doubt your design choices again.