Every home is different because it reflects the tastes, desires and lifestyle of the people living in it. No matter what the type of furniture or decor, there are certain elements that beautiful homes have in common. By incorporating some — or all — of these components you can create a beautiful living space of your own.

This Noir bookcase has geometric lines.

A calming, yet unexpected color palette and decor style.

The bedroom is at the top of the list for rooms that need mood lighting.

The Mysercough Water Table definitely falls in the “focal point” category.

Lema’s wall of shelving is a book-lover’s dream.

A console and side tables from Bliss Studio sport some very special legs.

Ernestomeda bar.

McHale’s boho chandelier has a mysterious steam-punk feel.

A more casual space can use a less shiny bar cart.

Barel’s funky floor lamps are an option for a modern or eclectic home.

A gilded bar cart like this one from Go Home is a useful, yet luxe addition to a room.

Practical but unexpected, Wewood’s shelf is also a conversation piece.

A Pleasing Color Palette

It doesn’t matter what kind of furniture is in a home if the color palette is not pleasing. Choose bold, bright, neutral or serene, just make sure the colors are complementary. Give thought to the walls, decor, flooring or floor coverings, and furnishings and accessories. Everything should work together, creating a space that visually pleasing, no matter the style or the color scheme. When making changes, it’s best to work around the largest pieces of furniture because accessories, smaller furnishings and wall color are all more easily changed.

A calming, yet unexpected color palette and decor style.An eclectic space with livelier colors and prints can be visually pleasing.

An Impeccably Organized Closet

Clutter is never beautiful, especially if its in your closet. Sorting, organizing and storing clothing and accessories is much easier with a beautiful and well-designed closet. The old adage of “everything in its place and a place for everything” holds true. Installing a custom closet can make getting dressed not only much easier, but more efficient as well as enjoyable.

4141 Design in Miami presents a handsome custom closet arrangement.A closet designed by Ornare features suspended drawers with glass windows.

Distinctive Dining Chairs

Beautiful homes express the individuality of their occupants with stylish pieces, and dining chairs are an easy way to make a statement without being over the top. All dinner guests will be using these dining chairs and a special design can make even the most basic table more interesting. If it’s not possible to get a new dining table, just change out the chairs from something more dramatic.

These elegant, yet slightly funky upholstered chairs are from ArtMax.A cleaner, more modern design can still have an unexpected feature, like the arms on this chair from Tonon.Upholstery doesn’t have to be formal or feel restrained when you choose frayed seam chairs like these from Dovetail.

Luxurious Throws

Even modern or rustic decor can benefit from a touch of softness. Most gorgeous homes feature at least a couple of cuddly throws tossed across a sofa, bench or bed. This is especially true these days when we want home to be extra soothing. Opting for quilts, blankets, furs or other textiles will depend upon the style of the space, but regardless, they should look special and feel opulent. For a high-end look, less is more: One fabulous fluffy throw makes a better impression than a scatter of multiple blankets or quilts.

Asukin drapes their fur throw across this bench almost like a seat cover.This sitting area is stunning, but the addition of a faux fur throw makes it even more so.

Mood Lighting

Of course a home needs task lighting in specific places, but without some subtle, well-placed mood lighting, it can seem sterile and unwelcoming. This is a great opportunity to use artful lighting fixtures, table lamps and floor pieces to cast a warm and relaxed mood over a room. This is one of the characteristics that really distinguishes a beautiful home: what it looks like when the lights go down. Well-thought out lighting that includes plenty of ambiance-creating fixtures makes an enormous difference for residents and guests alike.

Backlighting and lighted shelving can create an amazing mood in any roomThe bedroom is at the top of the list for rooms that need mood lighting.Barel’s funky floor lamps are an option for a modern or eclectic home.

A Conversation Piece

Including at least one piece of furniture that starts a conversation means that people will remember the space. Whether it’s subtle but unusual or a major focal point in your room, guests will take notice. This concept works for all styles of decor.

A console and side tables from Bliss Studio sport some very special legs.The Mysercough Water Table definitely falls in the “focal point” category.Nova’s modern coffee table uses lights and reflection to call attention.

A Special Mirror

Mirrors serve different purposes depending on where you hang them, from making a space seem larger to serving as a place to check yourself as you go out the door. But when they are rectangular and plain, they don’t have much flair. Choosing one that has an interesting frame or shape — or even a lighting feature — will make sure it stands out. The frames can be anything from angular and minimalist to truly opulent gilded ones or hand crafted art-like pieces. Where you hang them also matters and is driven by the reason that you are adding the mirror in the first place.

Putting statement mirrors in unexpected locations creates extra interest.Boca de Lobo offers this piece that is as much art as it is mirror.Palecek shows different options for distinctive mirrors.

A Spectacular Piece

A beautiful home may be fairly basic but it will at least have one truly spectacular piece of furniture that draws attention. Whether it dominates through size, color, shape or lighting, it’s the focal point of the home. This works for every style of home and is one of the main ways to create a great space. In fact, other parts can be rather mundane, but a standout piece of furniture makes a huge difference. Choose a large cabinet, a dramatic sofa or a massive, sprawling chandelier for your high ceiling – any of these will take a space from bland to breathtaking.

It doesn’t matter what else is in the room, this sofa and wallcovering will dominate.Cosmopolitan Glass combines gemstone and lighting in a stunning piece.

A Bar/Wine Area

Beautiful homes make guests feel comfortable and an easy way to do that is to establish a wine or bar area for entertaining. Having a designated place for all the things needed to serve people makes it easy to be organized. Not having to search for essential equipment, mixers or barware makes creating drinks a pleasure and not a chore. Even if you’re not having guests, a special place for making and/or enjoying a cocktail can make the home feel more like a retreat.

This small closet was easily transformed into a luxe and dramatic bar space.Ernestomeda bar.

Or at Least a Bar Cart

Smaller homes can still offer a hub for entertaining by using a bar cart or tea cart. Whatever the event or beverage, carts make it easy to bring refreshments to the living area. In addition, a tea cart is a stylish accent piece when not in use.

A gilded bar cart like this one from Go Home is a useful, yet luxe addition to a room.A more casual space can use a less shiny bar cart.

Beautiful table settings

A table covered with a new rug adds texture and dimension.

Boost the beauty factor of a home for entertaining by setting a special table. Non-traditional table coverings, mixed dinnerware and plenty of candles are easy way to elevate a table setting. Using special china to set the table also helps create an exceptional mood.

Everyday dining can be special with fun plates like these from Finch in Hudson, New York.

Distinctive Wall Coverings

Nothing is more boring than four beige walls. Beautiful homes often take a few risks with special wall coverings, ranging from wood, tile, glass or even specialty wall papers. Used judiciously in the right space, unusual wall treatments can make a home seem extra luxurious.

Wall paper, like this large-scale botanical print from Flavor Paper, are trending.Wonderwalls textured wood is good choice for a home focused on natural elements.Larger tiles in a modern pattern with shine add a sophisticated touch to an area. From Walker Zanger.

Touch of Bling

A little bling goes a long way in making an interior beautiful. The amount used depends upon the decor style, but beautiful rustic homes also use pops of shiny metallics to spark interest. Metallic elements used in a restrained fashion can really add a sense of richness to the décor and increase the feeling of opulence in a space. This holds true for most styles of décor, although the level of bling will be minimal in certain ones that tend more to the casual end of the spectrum.

This sitting area is conservative but still incorporates a table with a metallic painted base.A neutral, natural feeling space could be a suitable place for these organically shaped pendant shades.Rangecraft’s platinum hood sports Swarovski jewels, adding an even more luxe touch.

A Relaxed Retreat

The most calming place in a home should be the bedroom. Choosing a style and decor that is relaxing is the primary goal in creating a restful retreat. Beyond that, this is the space that should include as many luxurious creature comforts as possible. Whether these are puffy comforters, plush fabrics or an entire mood-driven space, it must feel relaxing to you.

A great bed and plenty of quality bedding are key to a restful sleeping space.A basically neutral bedroom uses many textures and plum undertones to create interest

Practical But Stylish Shelving

Shelving is a must, so why not make it interesting. It’s used for display as well as storage and opting for a design that adds more dimension to a room helps make it distinctive.

Practical but unexpected, Wewood’s shelf is also a conversation piece.Lema’s wall of shelving is a book-lover’s dream.This Noir bookcase has geometric lines.A mixture of closed and open shelving is a stylish option.

A Comfortable Dining Table

Whether it’s a dining room or a kitchen, a sturdy table that encourages lingering is critical. Guests will feel at home in a dining room with a great table, and in a kitchen, a super table is the hub of daily family life. For daily use, the table surface should be fairly fuss-free and easy to clean up after meals, family projects or any other action the table might see. Of course, you still want it to be stylish and meld well with the rest of the space too. Finally, give some thought to the centerpiece you keep on the table when it’s not in use: From a bowl of fruit to some candles, it doesn’t have to be fancy. The centerpiece is there to enhance the table and make it feel more welcoming.

Mercana’s dining table is great for guests as well as daily family use.A large wooden table is always a good choice in the kitchen.Urbia’s live edge table and bench are an option for a natural or rustic setting.

Floor Coverings that Wow

Flooring is just as important as wall colors and coverings, so it should be special. Choosing wider plank wood flooring in lighter colors or rugs that meld design genres are options for making a home stand out. A rug can add pattern and color, but most importantly, it anchors the furniture in the room and adds warmth. No matter what type of flooring you have, adding an area rug also defines a space, which is especially critical in a home with an open plan layout.

This rug by Lucy Tupu has a little color and plenty of drama in its ombre leaf pattern.Jan Kath’s distinctive rugs combine traditional Persian patterns and abstract sections of bold color.Northern Plank’s herringbone wood is a sophisticated choice for flooring.

Attractive Lighting

Light fixtures should be a focal point and not an afterthought. Yes, a utilitarian fixture from the home store does the job, but well-thought-out lighting that reflects style makes a huge difference in a home. Even more importantly, layers of light enhance the mood and functionality of a space: A ceiling light, table lamp and moody accent lighting all play a role in creating a great space. The right combination will make your home come alive after dark!

Artsy fixtures that provide soft illumination are perfect mood-enhancing accents.McHale’s boho chandelier has a mysterious steam-punk feel.Unusual lighting adds unexpected dimension to a home. These sticks are from Misora Emme.

Natural Elements

Greenery and natural elements add freshness to any space. Even homeowners who have a brown thumb can find ways to incorporate greenery as a design element. The feel of a living thing immediately changes the mood of a room.

Neff kitchens herb garden shelving.Polarmoss is an eco-friendly, no maintenance way to add some greenery.Adding a piece made from natural elements is another option. These furnishings are from UMA.

An Amazing Piece of Art

Last but not least, any beautiful home will feature some amazing art. Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but savvy homeowners know that what they display will convey their tastes and sensibilities. Works can be large or small, paintings that hang on the wall or sculptures that welcome guests in an entryway or living room. The subject matter can range from traditional and classically pretty to cutting edge or abstract. The most important thing is to display it with confidence and pride.

Jeffrey Gibson’s “Look How Far We’ve Come” is a colorful mixed media work.A very detailed drawing by Alexis Diaz.A very detailed drawing by Alexi Diaz.

Incorporating one or more of these elements canhelp make your home more beautiful. Pick your favorites and work them into your decor style for immediate gratification.