Finishing Decor: Three rules to make rooms look truly finished

Making a room look truly "finished" is one of the main reasons why many people seek professional help with interior design. Often, new furniture, curtains, or a fresh wall color are chosen – in the hope that everything will come together. In many cases, this is indeed the case.

However, even after these changes, a room can appear unfinished if one crucial step is missing: the deliberate finishing touches. This final layer is the unifying element – it gives the room depth, structure, and a clear sense of purpose.

At the same time, this is often the most difficult step. Too little looks empty, too much quickly becomes cluttered. The key lies in proceeding deliberately and with clear rules. The following three principles help to visually complete spaces without creating restlessness or clutter.

1. Fewer elements, but with greater size, structure, and impact.

A common mistake is trying to fill every surface and shelf completely. In fact, deliberately using open space can significantly enhance the impact of individual objects. The key is to work with a few, but expressive pieces.

Ideally, objects of varying heights and materials should occupy roughly one-third of the available space. This creates balance without overwhelming the room. For example, a larger object could be placed on one side of a sideboard, while the other side would feature a group of similar items of varying heights. Although the overall size is comparable, the different shapes and textures create visual interest.

A consistent color scheme is important. Different materials create a calming effect when their colors complement each other.

2. Deliberately group small objects

Many people own smaller favorite items that they would like to display without making the room feel cluttered. The solution lies in grouping them together. When similar objects are grouped together, the eye no longer perceives them as many individual pieces, but rather as a deliberately designed element.

Trays are also an effective way to create order. Several small items – such as soap and toiletry dispensers in the kitchen or bathroom – are visually grouped together on a tray. This reduces visual clutter and creates a calmer overall look.

Less visual information means less sensory processing – and therefore more peace and quiet in the room.

3. Use plants as a unifying element

If a room still doesn't feel complete despite everything, plants almost always help. Whether real or high-quality artificial, they bring life, movement, and organic forms to the design.

This principle is part of biophilic design, which aims to strengthen the connection to nature indoors. Plants, daylight, and natural materials have been proven to promote well-being and balance.

Furthermore, plants create an exciting contrast to typical furnishings such as books, ceramics, or decorative objects. Color, texture, and natural irregularity add depth and dimension – two qualities that make a room appear visually complete.

In summary: Choose larger objects with different shapes and surfaces, keep the color palette muted, work with odd-numbered groupings, and always add one or two plants to the room. This way, a harmonious, finished overall picture will gradually emerge.