A natural place to start is with antiques and other well-worn pieces that add depth and character to your decor, especially in a newer home. When you want to alter your aesthetics, remember that there are dozens of modern-day uses for flea market finds. Something as simple as an old windowpane can be filled with fabric or family photos for a charming display. Vintage corbels lend timeworn texture to the wall and become the perfect little pedestals for your favorite pint-sized treasures.  A little extra is all it takes to make a big impact, such as molding, which can modify more than your ceiling. The decorative trim works wonders when applied as a chair rail to a room or attached to a bookcase for a more prominent look. In addition, the ornamental detail can dress up a dull doorway or a dated bathroom mirror.  If your taste is more modern, opt for a narrow shelf ledge that spans the wall of an entire room. This idea works particularly well in a dining room, where decorative dishes and other prized possessions can take center stage without taking up valuable surface space.    Other elements can be used to add distinction to your decor, such as a series of wine crates on a wall that become impromptu shadowboxes for books and other objects. Be sure the crates are properly secured and are strong enough to support what you want to display. You might also fill an old printer’s drawer with a classic collection of seashells for an instant work of art.  When thinking three-dimensional, it doesn’t hurt to think outside the box. Keep in mind that just about anything can add flair to a flat surface. For instance, decorative doorknobs attached to a plaque on the wall become a pretty place to hang coats and purses. Mirrors add light and depth to even the dreariest of places. For a boring room with a boxy shape, select a round or arched design to soften the look and divert the eye.

Pieces with a patina that have aged gracefully, such as an old garden urn, can be displayed in a room that lacks architectural charm. The weathered look draws the attention away from what is missing and toward the elegant object at hand. Remnants of rusted iron gates also will lend interest to an indoor space. Hang one on the wall as a stylish sculpture or use a larger section as a folding screen in front of a fireplace.  Shop home improvement stores for interesting items such as ceiling medallions. Though they are meant to surround a hanging light fixture, the detailed designs can be installed in a grouping along a wall for a touch of the unexpected. Paint them in your favorite hues to make a bold statement in a room.  Larger items like columns add substance to a space while creating the illusion of architecture where there is none. Whether you prefer the vintage variety or something new that you can tweak with a paint technique, these statuesque stands can define a corner or establish the entrance to a room. Along the same lines, you might install a mantel over an existing fireplace or introduce a fireplace to a room without a focal point. Vintage doors, particularly those with a decorative design, can be attached as a series of panels for a folding screen that divides a portion of the room while adding a welcome distraction in the process.  Add depth and dimension to less-than-desirable windows with shutters that can also be used to frame a fireplace when not in use. Stained-glass windows add color and texture when hung as an accent in front of a permanent window or as a decorative element anywhere in the room.  Whatever style catches your eye, it’s never too late to be on the lookout for three-dimensional designs that lend distinction to your decor. When you divert the attention from the nondescript details to other objects of interest, your home will be known as an architectural gem.   Written by Jeanine Matlow.

If you live in a home that lacks distinction, there’s no need to despair. By adding your own architectural interest, you will bring the best to the forefront while disguising the rest. So go ahead and try some visual tricks of the trade to refresh those run-of-the-mill rooms.