Lemondrop

We like to think of decorating like eating: Focus on comfort and good taste, and keep it cheap when you can. (Essentially, we would like to set up residence in a giant steamed pork bun.) These inexpensive design tricks act as slices of crispy maple bacon -- they make everything seem a little more fancy and delicious.

1. Soften your hardware.
Swap out ugly ceiling lamp covers for clean white glass globes, plain drawer pulls for cute Anthropologie-style porcelain or shell styles, and boring doorknobs for vintage-looking versions.

2. Fake a fancy hotel vibe
Why is it that you always sleep better in some four-star joint than at home? We think it's the way they dress the bed so cleanly and serenely. You can replicate that at home -- just lay down a cotton or linen fitted sheet, layer with a cotton blanket, and top that with a flat sheet. Keep a thin wool blanket at the foot of the bed in case of chills.

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3. Get in line
If you're a renter or germaphobe, you know the value of a protective layer of contact paper in grimy shelves. But you don't have to stick to the patterns the manufacturers churn out. Use scraps of your favorite wallpaper to line drawers or exposed shelves instead.

4. Let there be light
Install a dimmer switch on all your overhead lights. Your furniture looks a thousand times better when it's not subjected to harsh lighting akin to the interrogation rooms at Guantanamo.

5. Make like a museum
It doesn't matter if you're sticking magazine clippings in Ikea frames and calling them art. If you hang them in groupings of three or five at eye level (about 58 inches) with spacing about the width of your hand in between, they'll look professional and purposeful.

Want more design tricks? Check out these clever tips from an organization pro!