Do you find yourself swooning over home decor and design magazines? Is your Pinterest “Home Decor” board filled with inspiration? If you wish your home had a bit more design pizazz, you can get your very own magazine-worthy living space just by playing up the strengths of your home.

Learning some basic design principles can help you take your living space to the next level—all without breaking the bank! Check out these basic, yet professional, home design principles and start implementing them today.

Little black dress
Every home needs a neutral staple piece—a sofa, painting, coffee table, etc.—that is a versatile and classic starting point to build any room around.

Use the ceiling to brighten up
Especially if you have darker pieces or furniture in your room, the ceiling is a great way to brighten things up. Paint the ceiling a paler shade of the wall color, for a surprising twist on the traditional white ceiling.

Simplify themes
Don’t take your vision for a themed room too far. Rather, achieve your desired effect by using a cohesive color palette, and implementing and adding design objects consistent with your theme.

Plant texture
Adding plants is an easy and inexpensive way to update your space and bring extra texture into the room. Plants are not only decorative, they are functional, too—they clean the air and help remove indoor toxins and pollutants.

Maximize height
Take a cue from art galleries and museums, and hang artwork so the center of the piece is between fifty-seven and sixty inches from the floor—in line with the average human eye level. This one tip alone will instantly give your room the illusion of professional design.

Focal points
In designing a room, there should be a star, as well as a supporting cast. First, choose the star for your rooms, such as a stunning light fixture or a piece of artwork, and then design around it. Aim for a cohesive look, without being too “matchy-matchy.”

Fake it ‘til you make it
One of the easiest ways to make a room appear larger and more spacious is to take advantage of tall ceiling heights. If you aren’t lucky enough to have high ceilings, never fear—you can create the illusion of high ceilings by using low furniture in your room.

Mix your metals
A great design trend is to mix metallic finishes. It’s no secret metallics add sheen and richness to any room, but the new school of design suggests mixing gold and silver together. The effect is surprisingly smart, so don’t be afraid to play with the finishes.

Mirrors for light
Mirrors are one of the best designer tricks around. Mirrors add a decorative element to any room, but they can also add light and give the illusion that a room is larger than it really is. Place mirrors opposite walls with windows for best results.