THE POWER OF SYMMETRY

Get the most from prefabricated or built-in book and display units by opting for symmetry. Your cubbies can be different sizes, as long as each half is identical in width and depth. Then, you have the foundation for a carefully curated collection that is at once both functional and pleasing to the eye. A word of caution, though – resist the urge to overload your unit.

ON DISPLAY The best decorative collections usually come from pieces you already have in a cohesive palette – art, vases, books...