As the weather starts to cool and the days get shorter, we inevitably spend more time inside. Early fall is a great time to spruce up our interior décor, before friends and family start coming for the holidays. But decorating a home isn’t simply about making it look “nice”. One of my favorite aspects of my job as a designer is coming alongside clients and helping make their spaces truly reflect their personalities and interests. Below, I’ve shared my advice for how you can do the same in your own home.

Tackle the dead spaces. This step is to be done first. That’s because the opposite of a space having character is one with nothing going on in it at all, quite literally. Many of us have spaces in our houses that are “someday” spaces – spots that we plan to decorate once we have time, once the kids are a bit older, once we get a different shaped couch for it (or whatever your reason may be). However, empty spaces can keep a house from feeling like a home, interrupt the overall flow and draw negative attention. So, begin by assessing what spaces need some extra time and attention, and then use the other four steps below in order to tackle them.

Show off your interests and personal art. Do you have collections of unique items collecting dust in a box? Items such as records, license plates, quilts, or vintage photography? These can be displayed in shadow boxes, hung on walls, or arranged in other unique and creative ways – there are dozens of great examples on websites such as Pinterest.

Do you have a piece of art in the attic that you love but perhaps doesn’t feel like it belongs in your space? There are two easy solutions to this. The first option is to have the art reframed by a talented framing professional. I’ve seen art come out looking completely different after being reframed. In the right hands, the difference can truly be dramatic! The second option is to source additional art or décor that supports and compliments your main piece. I recently did this for a client who had a family heirloom piece of art in their dining room. The piece was beautiful but was a bit of a loner in the space. I solved this by sourcing a second piece of art that beautifully complimented it along with smaller accessories and plants. The client loved the new look and the space now feels cohesive, with the heirloom art as a featured piece.

Embrace variety. A common misconception by homeowners is that their entire home must match itself throughout. For sure, there are definitely important considerations in this area (for example, consistency with flooring throughout the home, hardware tone choice and door styles are all important), but there is a lot of room for play when it comes to giving different rooms some personality. The word “complimentary” (rather than “matching”) is a good reference point when considering how much uniqueness to add to a space. Consult your home’s layout for important cues. For example, you have more latitude in a home with many separated spaces versus an open concept home. The bottom line is that it’s ok for different spaces within one home to have different vibes.

Don’t be shy. There are so many amazing options on the market today in terms of décor and materials with great personality. Things such as bold and unique rugs and throw pillows, textured wallpaper, and alternatives to standard art (such as 3D wall hangings, which I recently sourced for a client). This makes it easier than ever to find things that speak to you and help your home reflect your personality.

One of the simplest ways to bring character into a space is through interesting paint colors. But don’t think just about walls – consider paint vanities in bathrooms, dressers, headboards and nightstands in bedrooms, or adding millwork to a space and panting it,

Don’t overlook the obvious. One of the most overlooked sources of big potential for style in a space is through light fixtures. I often say that light fixtures are like the jewelry of the home. Making updates to your chandeliers, island pendants, wall sconces and floor lamps can have a bigger impact to your home’s overall style than you might imagine. Much like rugs and wallpaper, there are so many beautiful and interesting light fixture designs available right now by designers who are truly thinking outside the box – Kelly Wearstler is one example. A second category that is easily overlooked and which can add charm and character to a space is refreshing the hardware. From your front door handle to your kitchen drawer pulls, updating these items can make a space feel refreshed and more like “you”. Much like with light fixtures, there are so many great and unique designs out there. Skip big box stores like Home Depot and instead head to places like Chown Hardware to get inspired.

I hope that these five tips provided a jump start for you on the path to bringing more character and personality into your home!