Incorporate layers to add new textures and visual depth.

Time to steal a tried and true interior design strategy: work in layers. Jillynn, a superhost in Baxter, Iowa leveraged this strategy beautifully in The Henhouse Retreat. Here’s how it works. Let’s start with the bed as an example. Imagine all the basics are in place: the sheets, the pillows, the comforter. It’s now completely functional, but it still feels a little drab.

Now imagine adding some additional layers. A few throw pillows with different textures. A cozy throw blanket draped over the bottom third of the bed. A rustic trunk at the foot of the bed that can double as a luggage rack. And now on top of the bed, a wooden breakfast tray with a few tightly rolled towels, a small dish with before bed chocolates, and a tiny vase with a single flower.

And boom! Just like that, the bed has gone from this one-dimensional necessity to a sumptuous eye-catching display. Layers give you the chance to incorporate new textures into any given space, and each new layer you incorporate creates additional visual depth.

More stuff doesn’t actually mean a messier space. In fact, layers can create a seemingly tidier space. Imagine for example your Airbnb’s coffee table. Maybe you’ve got a few remotes, some coasters, your guest book, your house manual, and a few local guide books. All great amenities, but they make the space look a little cluttered. Time to layer. Add a tray underneath, staking the guide books and house manual together. Add a small basket for the coasters and remotes, and set your guest book in the remaining open space. Now, when you glance at the coffee table, you see just one item, the tray, instead of a dozen random pieces.