Take a shortcut to creating that "lived-in" and loved feeling with these designer tried-and-true tips.

1. Furnish your bathroom

Disguise a rundown or outdated bathroom with furniture, frames and greenery. Ferns in particular do well in the bathroom as they thrive off humidity and moisture in the air post-showering. Photo via Tumblr.

2. Make books a feature

"Group the same items together to create order and have them become a feature instead of getting lost scattered around the house. Try having all your books stacked against a bare wall," ­– Camille Moir-Smith, designer at Carpenter's Daughter. Photo by Camille Moir-Smith.

3. Get creative with frames

Scour op-shops for various picture frames to create a feature wall of artworks, sentimental items and photographs. Embrace the mismatched look by adding magazine clippings, children's drawings, cards– any items that add character. Photo via Pinterest.

4. Install a chalkboard

"Chalkboards are nothing new, but for me they are the LBD of any household…. It doesn't have to be black chalk paint; you can paint a section of your wall with whiteboard paint and frame the area by attaching moulding directly to the wall," – Anya Haywood, principal designer at Anya H Interiors. Photo via Pottery Barn.

5. Experiment with textiles

Throws tossed over the couch, storage baskets and a rug will give a space sense of warmth while disguising any mess. Photo courtesy of Georgie Abay, editor and founder of The Grace Tales.

6. Choose a colourful door

"Paint the door of a period home an unexpected colour to complement an eclectic interior," – Erin Gannon, principal interior architect at Studio Tate. Photo by Tessa Ross-Phelan for Studio Tate.

7. Layer up

"Layer artwork and objects and finish with fresh foliage or flowers. Mix High Street frames with black and white photos from fashion magazines or National Geographic with bespoke frames to 'elevate' the look," – Lauren Macer, Sisalla Interior Design. Photo by Eve Wilson, styling by Studio Moore.

8. Contrast colours

"Combine dark charcoals and lush greens to capture and exaggerate the scale of the environment, making a real statement in the home," – Wendy Rennie, colour and concept manager at Haymes. Photo courtesy of Haymes.

"Draw a selection of colours from favourite artworks within the space and reintroduce them in a smattering of well-balanced objects, be it ceramics or soft furnishings," – Anna Trefely, general manager of Alexander&Co. Photo via NY Times.

9. Team with the theme

"Draw a selection of colours from favourite artworks within the space and reintroduce them in a smattering of well-balanced objects, be it ceramics or soft furnishings," – Anna Trefely, general manager of Alexander&Co. Photo via NY Times.

10. Disguise technology

"Conceal the television so it isn't the focal point of the room. One way is to place the television into a shelving unit and surround it with books and interesting objects," – Lauren Macer, Sisalla Interior Design. Photo by Lauren Macer.

11. Bring plants indoors

"Bring plants inside to clean the air and bring life to corners of the house that would otherwise be bare," – Camille Moir-Smith, designer at Carpenter's Daughter. Photo by Camille Moir-Smith.

12. Strategically place artwork

"An artwork which might otherwise seem too small can be hung very low over a cabinet so it's visually connected to the furniture and other accessories," – Brendan Wong, principal of Brendan Wong Design. Photo by Maree Home.

13. Be bold with colour

"I love adding colour to almost every room and plants and greenery are another way to add instant life. This stunning cabinet has been painted using my Chalk Paint and then greenery added for added impact and effect," – Annie Sloan, colour and paint specialist. Photo courtesy of Annie Sloan.

14. Collect items from travels

"Collect furniture and decorative accessories from your world travels; a timber coffee table from Africa, a tribal mask from the Amazon and an old British travellers trunk, rather than keeping the room to say a Balinese or French Provincial design style," – Jenny Williams, owner and founder of Creative Style Interior Design. Photo via Pinterest.

15. Go for worn fabrics

"Leather sofas should never be too shiny; a matte, worn patina gives that beautiful lived-in look," – Lauren Macer, Sisalla Interior Design. Photo by Eve Wilson, styling by Studio Moore.

16. Mix and match tableware

"Mix vintage silverware with modern ceramics for an engaging table setting. The best silverware is found in op shops and antique stores, while crisp white china settings are a staple in most department stores," – Melissa Webster, interior designer and creative director of The Gather Collective. Photo via Pinterest

17. Choose an inspiration era

"Base your home around certain art periods you love so you have boundaries and guides when choosing things for your home; think the colours of the '70s or the shapes of the Bauhaus," – Camille Moir-Smith, designer at Carpenters Daughter. Photo by Camille Moir-Smith.

18. Group similar items

"When displaying objects, collect like with like, such as by colour, materials or theme. If you have various decorative glass vases at home, bring them all together to display in one group, rather than placing here and there," – Lauren Macer, Sisalla Interior Design. Photo by Eve Wilson, styling by Studio Moore.

19. Style with love

"Eclectic style is essentially everything you love; from your grandmother's Singer sewing machine to your IKEA piece curated in a thoughtful and considered way with intention and attention to create a balanced space," Trish Khour, founder of Grace Interior Designs. Photo via Pinterest.