We want the end result of our interior design project to be effective, after all, we've put a lot of time and effort into planning the design and have taken into consideration all the practical and safety issues, we have identified the style or styles we like and have chosen the colour schemes and all the furniture, fixtures and fittings, so the last thing we want to do is to spoil the whole effect with inappropriate finishing touches.

The ideal finishing touches will compliment the look of the room. They will portray the right impression and help convey the mood and atmosphere that you wanted to create. If you get it right the room will be aesthetically pleasing and the overall ambience of the room will reflect your individual taste and personality so you need to carefully consider what finishing touches you want to include as it is those last little bits of detail that will go together to create harmony in a room.

Matching the style

Most people will have a good idea of the overall impression they want to create but common mistakes involve having too many extra bits and pieces so that the room ends up looking cluttered and chaotic, or choosing the wrong kind of finishing touches that don't contribute to the mood or the overall appearance of the room and look out of place with the style. The trick is to keep it simple and to avoid the temptation to overdo the effect. It can be likened to work of art where part of the skill is in knowing when to stop.

Choosing finishing touches that will compliment and enhance your chosen style is not as difficult as it might sound. Just take a look around and see what others have done. You could browse through magazines, surf the Internet, visit some exhibitions and watch a few television programmes, discuss your ideas with friends, there are literally endless sources of inspiration to draw on.

Ultimately, you will have to rely on your own personal judgement to decide if something works or not. You could simply play it safe and copy a look that you like but don't be afraid to be a bit bold either; why not use your creative talent to produce something totally unique? The only real issue is whether you like the end result or not and if you do, then that is all that really matters.

First of all imagine what sort of ornamental pieces would be associated with your chosen style and ask yourself if they help enhance the look or if they just look out of place. For example:

* A simple bowl of shells or pebbles, or a water feature or fountain could work well in rooms with a nature theme.

* For an African style you might go for wooden animals or carvings, brightly coloured pots or any other artefact that is reminiscent of the African culture. The same goes for other foreign themes, think about items or artwork that would bring a touch of your chosen location into your home.

* Antiques and displays of china could blend in perfectly with a period home. You might also want to consider large carved mirrors or ornate photo frames.

* If the minimalist look is more to your liking, one well chosen piece will be far more effective and in keeping with the style than several pieces grouped together.

Candles

Candles bring more than light into a space. They come in all shapes, colours and sizes and can be displayed either in groups or on their own, they can be an effective centre piece or scattered more discreetly around the room. Scented candles exuding a subtle aroma can help convey a mood of romance, mystique or a touch of the exotic. The colour of the candles can be chosen to compliment existing colour schemes or if the room has few colours a brightly coloured candle can be a welcome distraction for the eye.

Plants and flowers

Well positioned pot plants can literally bring life into any room. Similarly, vases of flowers with blooms that match or even contrast the existing colour scheme can be highly effective. A bunch of bright blooms sitting on a sunny windowsill or on a coffee table that catches the light can transform a room. Flowers with a pleasant aroma can lift the atmosphere and the spirits. If you prefer the minimalist look then a single flower in an elegant vase could be the perfect compliment.

Be creative

Finally, remember that a variety of senses should be taken into consideration when choosing finishing touches. The sense of sight, hearing, taste, touch and smell all play a part in creating the overall feeling in a room. Consider displays of fruit, bowls of pot Pourri, wind chimes, wall hangings, pictures and paintings in attractive frames, lamps, mirrors, and so on, the list is literally endless. Let your imagination take over and allow your creative streak to run free.