15 secret decor tips

8 A case for baskets
An attractive water hyacinth basket does a great job of organizing an assortment of liquor bottles and creates a tidy, smart-looking minibar on a countertop.

9 Two is the number
Balance and symmetry create drama. Place two chairs so that they're framed by tall windows with an awesome view to up a room's wow factor.

10 Book buzz
Remove tattered dust jackets from coffee table books, but save them. When you change your display of current faves, replace the jackets before reshelving the books.

11 A class act
Every savvy stylist's standby, white dishware and linens make food look more appetizing and add timeless class to any tabletop.

12 Nifty nooks
It's easy to make even the smallest nook count. Flowers and a mirror make a space feel bigger are both pretty touches. Shelves hold magazines and baskets to stash the small stuff.

13 A big softie
A throw brings softness to a masculine leather club chair and lends a light, inviting touch to any reading corner.

14 Window works
A windowed nook is perfect for a built-in daybed (with storage underneath). Try cosying things up with a demi-lune table and a mirror that bounces even more light into the room.

15 Table manners
Horizontally placed runners are a sophisticated way to showcase a well-laid table -- they're more elegant than placemats but much less formal than a tablecloth.

Image courtesy of CIL

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