The way Shannon Smith transforms a bare apartment into a cozy home [1] might cause you to confuse her for a magician, or an interior design [2] fairy godmother at the very least. The interior designer (formerly with Homepolish) can do wonders to a space no matter how tight the budget or small the square footage.

The secret to creating a stunning home, she says, is to focus on three things when decorating. [3] "I am a firm believer that you don't need a lot of stuff to make your space feel finished. If you consider these three things — texture, color, and scale — you can make any space feel cozy." Keep reading to hear what Shannon has to say about approaching each.

Texture: The More The Merrier

"Add texture with area rugs [4], drapery, vintage pieces, or natural fibers," Shannon advises.

Color: Layer Three

"Layer color [5] in your space to add depth, even if it's neutral," she says. "I always try to choose three colors — a light color, a dark color, and something in between — and scatter them throughout the space."

Scale: Go Big, or Go Home

"Large art pieces [6], leaning floor mirrors, and big area rugs accentuate the height of the ceilings or the width of a room," explains Shannon. "If you are worried about living in a small space, focus particularly on this tip as it will usually make your space feel larger."