When you step into a well-designed home or room, you can feel that it has that certain something. A sense of balance and cohesion that can make even a simple space feel stunningly beautiful. It’s what we all strive for but can feel intimidating and lead to second-guessing your design decisions.

Over the years, we have found there are a several design elements that can help you take your space from nice to extraordinary.

  1. Unexpected Design Elements
The eye and mind often expect certain elements when it comes to design; deviating from the typically path, even if slightly and subtly, sets your home apart. From choosing textured insets for your cabinet doors to breaking up straight lines with curved or circular touches, a touch of the unexpected can elevate your space.

In this ACo bathroom remodel, the curves of the arched opening, mirrors, and the subtle touch in the wooden door trim complement the sleek, straight edges of the custom wood accents and shower entry, providing visual interest and an elegant sense of softness.

Homes We Love Have These 5 Design Elements
  1. Purposeful Design 
Purposeful design ensures that every facet of your space is there for a reason and nothing feels like an afterthought. When a space falls – and feels – flat, it is often because items were chosen without fully considering how they would work together as part of a cohesive design.

From coordinating the undertones in your flooring, backsplash tile, and paint to adding functionality through dedicated cabinetry storage solutions, details make the difference. Thoughtful consideration of how it all works together and functions for your life will help bring balance and purpose to your home.

  1. A Sense of Warmth and Welcoming
Warmth and welcome as components of design are compatible with any style. To incorporate them into your home, consider:
  • Comfortable, yet beautiful, furnishings and fabrics.
  • Warmer wood tones and paint colors. Sherwin-Williams Color of the Year, for example, is Grounded. The “captivating brown from the 2025 Colormix Forecast” is as calm and inviting as it is versatile.
  • Lighting that enhances your home with both coziness and purpose.
  • Spaces that flow organically, facilitating movement – and, as importantly, relaxation and stillness.
Homes We Love Have These 5 Design Elements
  1. Complex Layers of Design
Complex layers add incredible depth and dimension, while collaborating towards a unified, well-balanced aesthetic.

Layering color takes a space that feels “one-dimensional,” so to speak, and makes it much more dynamic and impactful. This is why, for instance, Sherwin-Williams has a Color of the Year, but also a “family” to which it belongs. These other hues complement one another, making it easier to select colors that enrich and enhance each other. Bringing in a mural style or patterned wallpaper or tile is another way to incorporate layers of color.

We also think about layering textures and mixing materials (e.g. warm wood, sleek stone, silky smooth or sumptuous fabrics, natural elements, etc.) and using the space itself (e.g. creating negative space for visual rest) to create complexity without overwhelming the senses.

Homes We Love Have These 5 Design Elements
  1. An Anchoring Element
An anchoring element grounds your design. It may be a color, a bold wallpaper, a kitchen island, a stunning fireplace, or a striking piece of furniture that provides a visual foundation for the space. Build your design around this point to achieve a beautifully cohesive aesthetic. Putting It All Together

Notice that none of these design elements are about conforming to preconceived ideas of what “home” should be or should look like. Instead, they empower you to think about your space in a holistic way, creating a home that aligns perfectly with your style, needs, and aspirations.

Feel free to peruse our blog and project gallery for more inspiration. And if you are ready for help putting it altogether, connect with the ACo team.