A well-decorated home does not have to look like a showroom. In fact, the rooms that make the strongest impression usually include plenty of personal details and features alongside carefully chosen furniture and accessories. If you’re looking for ways to add a touch of personality to your home without veering into tacky territory or losing any of your home’s inherent classiness, here are some ideas…

Display photographs with purpose

Rather than scattering family photographs and travel shots throughout the house, choose one or two locations where they can make a greater impact. A gallery wall in a hallway or a row of photo tiles above a sideboard often creates a cleaner, classier effect than placing frames on every available surface.

If schematics are important to you, choose photographs with similar colours, subjects or editing styles for a consistent display. However, remember that there is a risk of your selection looking more curated than personal if you veer too much into a theme, colour scheme, or style - so don’t forget to focus most heavily on the images that really mean something to you.

Decorate with books you enjoy

If you’re a big reader, why not turn your beloved books into part of your decor? Bookshelves make a classy addition to any room, and adding a selection of your favourite reads will make a room immediately feel more homely and personal - not to mention creating a talking point if you’re visited by similarly literary-minded friends.

Stack a few nooks on a coffee table, place them on open shelving or mix them with framed photographs and decorative objects. Crucially, choose books that match your own interests rather than buying them purely for appearance. Visitors will show interest in genuine collections far more readily than in decorative props.

Include handmade pieces

Handmade items introduce a strong touch of character without dominating a room. A knitted throw, hand-thrown pottery or framed artwork completed by a family member can all fit in well with your furniture and add a comfy, personal touch.

Keep the display simple. One well-chosen handmade piece usually has more impact than several competing for attention.

Introduce pattern carefully

Pattern is fantastic for introducing a touch of your own personality and preferences to a home, but it works best when you repeat it in small amounts. Try to use it for features and accents rather than covering an entire room. A patterned rug, a pair of cushions or a single upholstered chair can add interest and character without making the room feel busy and overwhelming.

If you choose one dominant pattern and don’t like being sparing with it, why not repeat one or two of its colours elsewhere in the room to tie everything together without splashing the pattern all over the place?

Display meaningful keepsakes

Souvenirs, inherited furniture and family heirlooms deserve a place in your home at any time - but especially so when you’re trying to add character, personality, and class to your decor. However, try to spread these items throughout the house so that you can display each to its full advantage instead of grouping everything in one cabinet.

Think about fragrance

Fragrance contributes more than many of us realise to the overall atmosphere inside a home. Candles, reed diffusers or fresh flowers can all introduce a scent that suits your preferences and gives a feel for your own personality. Ideally, choose one fragrance for each room instead of mixing several strong scents together.

Repeat colours throughout the house

Choose two or three colours that you enjoy and repeat them in different rooms through artwork, cushions, ceramics or soft furnishings. The colours do not need to match perfectly. Similar tones are enough to create a consistent appearance from one room to the next.

Edit your displays from time to time

As you collect new photographs, artwork and keepsakes, remove a few older items at the same time. Rotating decorative pieces prevents shelves and tables from becoming overcrowded while giving different items a chance to take centre stage.

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.