Travel and Leisure

Just like a great wardrobe, accessories can pull together a look - or leave the admirer wanting. Interior design is both an innate talent and a skill, requiring a keen eye for beauty and symmetry. Lighting and other accessories are key elements when making any room work. The right lighting can set a mood, highlight that new white upholstery sofa or make a study more conducive to work.

Decorative accessories are like the perfect set of earrings, creating a streamlined look that accentuates your favorite feature like new home furnishings. When shopping around for the best interior designer for you, look carefully at their portfolio, read testimonials and make sure they're listening to what you really want. Once you've found the perfect match, it's time to get started. Here are five key ways accessories complement fine furnishings and interior design.

1. A Little Mood Lighting

Ambient lighting spreads light throughout a room, equally providing just enough light to appreciate the home décor, but also providing an intimate vibe. Up-lights illuminate the upper walls and ceiling and can include wall sconces and torch-inspired pieces. Down-lighting illuminates the lower half of a room and is often available as track lights. Multiple-use lighting that features both up and down illumination are most commonly seen in table lamps.

2. Accent Lighting

Like the name suggests, accent lighting is used to showcase a special piece. You can choose accent lighting to show off custom furniture or contemporary artwork. A good rule of thumb is to use an accent light that's no brighter than three times the power of surrounding light and make sure it doesn't interfere with an admirer's line of sight.

3. Mirrors Add Space

Do you want to instantly make your space bigger and brighter? Simply add mirrors, a favorite trick of many interior designers. A gorgeous mirrored entryway does more than make a big statement-it also makes any space appear grander and multiplies the impact of your favorite pieces, such as those custom window coverings. The rules of mirror use include using them in small rooms, utilizing their ability to be a focal point, and optimizing the possibilities of mirrored furniture such as a mirrored table.

4. Panels and Folding Screens

A beloved secret weapon in every designer's arsenal, panels and folding screens are one of the most powerful pieces in many homes. They can instantly add glamour, especially when luscious fabrics are used. They can also be decorative camouflage, hiding the barrage of toys that new parents so often collect or an extra clothing rack in the home. Panels can even separate space in open-floor plans gracefully.

5. Get Personal

No matter which accessories you choose, the overarching theme in 2013 is to get personal and reflect your hobbies, character and passions in your accents. According to a report by the American Society of Interior Designers, personalization is a trend that's here to stick. Whether you prefer to display your travel souvenirs on an "upcycled" bookcase or your seashell collection in a bowl on an accent table, putting you back into your home is always a winning move.

Interior design consultants who also offer quality furniture is one stop shopping at its finest. Get the guidance you need from a professional who will work with you and within your budget to create your dream home.