The Final Touch: How the Right Decor Brings Your Home to Life
You’ve painted the walls. The furniture is in place. The light fixtures are up. And yet… something feels like it’s missing. The room doesn’t feel quite alive yet.
Ester White Gherea
By Ester White Gherea | WBN News | June 27, 2025
You’ve painted the walls. The furniture is in place. The light fixtures are up. And yet… something feels like it’s missing. The room doesn’t feel quite alive yet.
That missing piece? It’s the finishing touches—the little details that tell your story. The items on your coffee table, the books on your shelves, the candle you light at night. These small choices don’t just fill space. They give your home its heart.
Let’s talk about how to choose those special pieces and why the right combination can completely change the energy of a room.
Why Finishing Touches Matter So Much
Think of your home like an outfit. The furniture is the clothes—but the decor? That’s the jewelry, the shoes, the smile. It’s what brings out your personality and makes a space feel welcoming, intentional, and full of life.
Finishing touches are how we go from “just moved in” to “this is my home.”
The Coffee Table: A Mini Stage for Style
Your coffee table is right in the center of your living room. It’s one of the first places the eye lands—and it’s the perfect place to add interest without clutter.
Use the Rule of Three
The rule of three is a stylist’s secret weapon. It simply means: group things in sets of three—because odd numbers are more pleasing to the eye.
👉 Here’s one way to do it:
- Something tall – a vase with greenery or dried flowers
- Something flat or wide – a tray, a book, or a shallow bowl
- Something small – a candle, decorative object, or small sculpture
You can also mix:
- A stack of two beautiful books + a beaded strand
- A tray with a candle + coasters + a bud vase
- A low bowl with natural stones or moss balls
Just keep it balanced. If one item is tall, the others should stay low. If something is shiny, pair it with something matte.
Shelf Styling: Where Storytelling Lives
Shelves are more than just storage—they’re storyboards. Whether it’s your built-ins or a floating shelf above the sofa, what you put there should reflect your life.
Mix and match with purpose:
- Books (always!) – stack them both vertically and horizontally
- Art – small framed pieces leaned against the wall feel relaxed and personal
- Objects – sculptural pieces, ceramics, or handmade treasures
- Natural elements – a plant, a bowl of shells, a chunk of driftwood
- Personal touches – framed photos, souvenirs, handwritten notes
❗ Tip: Leave some breathing room. A shelf packed full can feel heavy. Let your items have space around them so each one can shine.
Small Combinations That Speak Volumes
Here are a few finishing touch “recipes” that always work:
- Coffee Table: A linen-wrapped book + a white candle + a sculptural knot
- Bookshelf: A stack of 3 books + a ceramic vase + a framed photo
- Entry Table: A round mirror above + a tray with a bowl for keys + a small lamp
These pieces don’t have to be expensive or fancy. They just need to feel like you.
Your Home, Your Story
The final layer of decorating isn’t about perfection. It’s about expression. What you put on your coffee table or shelves should make you smile every time you walk by. Maybe it’s a candle you light at the end of a long day. Maybe it’s a travel book from a place you dream of visiting. These are the things that take your house from “done” to alive.
So let’s keep the conversation going.
Are you stuck on what to add to your shelves? Not sure how to make your coffee table look intentional and not messy? I’d love to help. Send me a photo of your space or tell me what feeling you’re trying to create. Let’s find the finishing touches that make your home feel complete.
Ester White Gherea is an Interior Designer and the founder of Gherea Studios.
She can be reached at 236-339-6644 or estergherea@gmail.com. Connect with Ester on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ester-white-gherea-6b339a2b5/. Connect with Ester at https://www.ghereastudio.com/.
TAGS: #InteriorDesign #TimelessStyle #DesignTrends #HomeDecor #ModernLiving #StylishSpaces #GhereaStudio #WBN News Langley #WBN News Abbotsford #Ester White Gherea
Members Discussion