RULE NO. 1

SEEK SYMMETRY.

A symmetrical display looks balanced but it can also look boring, especially on a mantel or a display shelf. Mix things up, create a different unifying line or idea and find a new way to group items. Hang wall art and mirrors symmetrically, but not your accessories. Often, less is more when decorating. Try taking a few things out of a room and see how the remaining pieces come together.

RULE NO. 2

PLACE SETTINGS SHOULD MATCH.

Pick a unifying element in your table decor, such as a color, theme or texture, and have fun with it. Mixing up place settings can be perfect for less formal entertaining. It's visually interesting, creative and a conversation starter. Add a piece of your grandma's blue china with your stark white Crate and Barrel plates. You get the idea.

RULE NO. 3

LARGE FURNITURE DOES NOT WORK IN SMALL SPACES.

Small pieces tend to work against a small space. An oversized sofa adds heft and substance to a smaller room, as long as the rest of the furniture is kept in scale. Choose pieces that can multitask, like a dining table that doubles as a desk or an ottoman that can be used as a cocktail table or for storage. Use other tricks to make the room appear larger: monochromatic colors, see-through or reflective surfaces and eliminating clutter.

RULE NO. 4

DON'T MIX CONTEMPORARY AND TRADITIONAL FURNISHINGS.

Mixing correctly creates a layered look, which is more visually interesting and inviting than sticking too closely to one type of style. Decide which look you prefer so it can dominate the space. Use the eclectic pieces as an accent. Exposed, unfinished wood furnishing can warm the cold, sleek lines of a modern space. Similarly, clean lines can be paired with more traditional fabrics and prints.

RULE NO. 5

YOU CANNOT HAVE SUBSTANTIAL ART IN THE KITCHEN OR BATHROOM.

Kitchen and bathroom knickknacks don't have to be caricatures of real art, cartoonish or homespun. There is no need to save serious art for serious rooms, such as living and dining rooms. So much of gathering and entertaining happens in kitchens, making them perfect places to display beloved and serious artwork.