Once you lock in your favourite larger foundational pieces, it is time to embellish your design with smaller, but equally important, items. Pieces like side tables, a fantastic coffee table, and lighting all fall into this category. When making your picks, Kara suggests to “make sure your side tables are large enough for substantial table lamps so you have enough light in the room, in case there is not any overhead lighting.” However, if you are able to add in some overhead lighting, Kara recommends it since “it’s great to have a mix of ambient lighting and decorative lighting.”
And if you are worried about the smaller necessity pieces being too matchy-matchy, Kara also has the following advice: “A mix of materials in a room is key to making it visually interesting. If you have metal side tables, try a wood coffee table or vice versa.”