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.

Be sure that every room has excellent lighting. Quality lighting will help you show off your home, and can even help a room feel bigger. If there’s a room in your home that has dark corners even with the lights turned on, invest in a stylish new lamp. It’ll make the whole room look better.

If you are planning on having a baby, try to set aside a room near the master bedroom to hold your child. This is important as you do not want to have to walk a long way to get to your baby in the middle of the night when he or she is crying.

Choose bathroom lighting carefully. In a bathroom, a single overhead light will cast an unwanted shadow, making it difficult to apply makeup or shave. A sconce on either side of the medicine cabinet will offer an even amount of light, perfect for grooming. Incandescent lighting is preferable to fluorescent lights, which can create a bluish tone.

Arrange your furniture smartly. Walk around your rooms and take different paths: are you able to easily go from one room to the other? Furniture should not be in your way, and yet some items should be made central if you wish to create a theme or a color pattern based on a piece of furniture.

If you’re working on designing for a small space, adding light can greatly increase the feeling of size in the room. Adding light fixtures and using appropriate drapery can increase the amount of light in the room. Mirrors are also a great way to increase light and increase the apparent size of a small space.

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.

Get creative. Even if you don’t consider yourself a great artist, you can make a wonderful collection of art. Draw a symbol or an abstract piece on a piece of drawing paper. It doesn’t have to be that big. Put it in a high quality frame. If you want really do something nice, create 3 or 4 drawings and frame them all together.

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.