Have you ever placed all your beloved or new furniture and homewares into a room and been less than impressed with the result? It's not you, nor is it necessarily your furniture. Finessing a space is a skill. It's not easy to build a room that feels both luxurious and effortless, especially when you're restyling your home from scratch. Sometimes it can be the smallest element that throws off the entire energy of your room.

We recently spoke to Jade Gillett, founder and Creative Director of Rainbow Studios for advice on interior styling and finding those simple ways to create a space that feels elevated. While she says "there are no strict rules" there are a few key guidelines that can help you achieve balance through the pieces you already own and some new addition.

1. Select the right art for your space

Gillett's first tip is all about finding art pieces. Think of art like jewellery for your walls, its a way to elevate and tie everything together.

"Choosing the right art for your home should be an enjoyable and creative process. It all depends on the wall space you have," she says.

"For a spacious wall, large artworks can fill the area beautifully, becoming the room’s focal point and main feature. On smaller walls, a gallery wall is a fantastic way to add colour, texture, and personality."

2. A large rug feels luxurious

If you have the space, Gillett recommends that you "go big."

"Rugs that fill the floor and allow for all furniture legs to rest on the rug creates a unified and warm and cosy," she says." Dark tones are great when you have a lighter coloured couch for contrast."

3. Your curtains need to be the right length

It's a very small feature, but curtains that are either too short or too long can make your interior feel far from considered.

"Curtain height is crucial," Gillett says. "Curtains that are the right length enhance the visual height of the window frame, drawing the eye upward and making ceilings feel taller."

For an extra luxurious feel, try floor-to-ceiling curtains that fully cover the window. It will give the room a polished and complete look.

4. Invest in standout items

In any space, there will be pieces you source affordably, and ones that you splash out on. But which pieces should be the ones you splurge on? Gillett says that your pricey picks should be your standout pieces.

"Those that spark conversation and serve as focal points, truly shaping the aesthetic you’re aiming for," she says. "Think of a statement chair, an impactful artwork, or an antique or vintage piece that brings both credibility and lasting value."

5. Good lighting is key

Nothing makes a space feel sterile faster than bad lighting. It's such a small element within your home but done incorrectly and it can cripple your entire interior aesthetic.

"Personally, I prefer dim lighting over bright lights," Gillett says. "Even in a dark room, a warm light can establish a cozy tone, while cooler light brings openness and energy."

"Lamps are an ideal way to fill an empty corner, instantly making the space feel warmer and more inviting."

6. Minimise clutter

Clutter means your eye doesn't have a singular or safe place to rest. In turn, it can tired out your brain and make your space feel wholly unappealing - even if it has been beautifully decorated. But Gillet acknowledges that it's not always easy in apartment living.

"Living in smaller apartments often requires us to maximize our space. I find that using furniture with built-in storage is incredibly helpful for keeping belongings organised and out of sight," she says.

"Another effective strategy is to adopt a one-in, one-out policy. Be ruthless about getting rid of unnecessary items that only contribute to clutter and mess."

7. Avoid matching, layer textures instead

Matchy-matchy rooms feel straight out of a discount all-in-one furniture package. Instead it's far more elevated to combine different pieces with varying textures for depth. Just as long as they all have the same tone, era or style.

"Mixing textures and materials is an excellent way to introduce depth, warmth, and contrast to a space," Gillet says.

"I enjoy seeing chrome or steel coffee and side tables paired with wooden accessories and stone elements to create a variety of surface textures.Or leather chairs combined with chunky knit or fluffy cushions add a layer of interest to the overall design."