Interior designer Jan Showers, ASID, is the principal of Dallas-based Jan Showers & Associates and the author of Glamorous Rooms. Showers is known for designing interiors that are simultaneously elegant and personal, sophisticated yet utterly livable. Her mantra? Classic and timeless designs are forever.

Whether your design style is traditional or modern, the following tips from Jan Showers will help you create inviting spaces that fuse elegance with comfort – and suit the way you live.

Complement Your Interior

Keep drapery simple, but use wonderful fabrics that look and feel luxurious. Make sure your drapes are made from enough fabric to cover the windows when closed. I never use swags or heavy cornices unless the ceilings are exceptionally tall and the style of the house calls for them.

Photograph: Courtesy of Jan Showers

Set the Tone Right Away

Always make a statement with your entry hall. It sets the tone for the entire house! It’s the first thing your guests see upon arrival and what they see should give them an idea of what to expect. Walls and ceiling should be painted the same color if possible, or use a wonderful wall covering. I love to place both art and mirrors in entry halls if the space allows.

Photograph: Courtesy of Jan Showers

Create Cozy Places to Socialize

Don’t overlook the potential of secondary seating areas. They add such a gracious and elegant element to any room. You may need to think about smaller-scale furniture such as banquettes (rather than sofas) for these spaces, depending on the size and shape of the room.

Photograph: Courtesy of Jan Showers

Swathe Rooms in Color

Don’t be afraid to match walls and drapery. This action will give the room a warmer feeling of being enveloped in color.

Photograph: Courtesy of Jan Showers

Display Items You Love

Mix quality pieces with less expensive finds. When it comes to collecting, not every piece has to be precious. It’s much more important to find things you truly love. That is the point of collecting! On my desk at home, I have a collection of Eiffel Towers, some expensive and some from souvenir shops. I love them all because they remind me of Paris.

Photograph: Courtesy of Jan Showers

Use Bold Patterns Carefully

Carefully consider your use of bold patterns. I love some bold pattern in a room, but I can quite quickly become tired of too much pattern. Stripes or an all-over pattern in one color (such as a toile) are timeless and less likely to end up looking dated.

Photograph: Courtesy of Jan Showers

Assemble Eye-Catching Displays

Create wonderful tableaux with beautiful ceramics and pieces of glass. I like to use different shapes and heights of glass to add color and sparkle to a room. Mixing in ceramics that feature the same color palette as the glass will add another texture -- don’t be afraid to mix the two.

Photograph: Courtesy of Jan Showers

Let Lighting Do Its Job

Eye-level lighting is probably the most important element in the design of any room! Keep in mind—overhead lighting is used to age actors and actresses. Recessed lighting should be used for lighting art and filling in spaces that lamps, sconces, and chandeliers can’t reach.

Photograph: Courtesy of Jan Showers

Add Elegance with Bed Hangings

Use bed hangings to create a room-within-a-room—in your bedroom. Choose different fabrics for each element of the bed. Construct the outer draper from one fabric and the lining from another. The headboard and dust skirt offer a third option. I like each component to be tailored for serenity’s sake. There is enough going on in the room already because of the window treatments and other furniture.

Photograph: Courtesy of Jan Showers

Encourage People to Linger

Every chair deserves a table! Make sure you include a table next to your sofa and chairs to hold a glass, coffee cup, or book. There is nothing worse to me than seeing a chair that is nowhere near a table.

Photograph: Courtesy of Jan Showers

Learn More Decorating Secrets

Continue with more decorating tips from top designers, including Jan Showers.

See Top 10 Designer Tips [34]

You’ll also want to visit Jan’s own Web site. [35]