Five designers tell you how to layer your decor

Combining patterns, textures, colors and accessories in unexpected ways can add a new dimension to a space. "Layering," as interior designers call it, can transform rooms from boring and unfinished to exciting and complete. "The best layering in design should look natural," says designer and blogger Linda Leyble of The Colorful Bee in Great River.

Leyble points out similarities between layering in design and layering in fashion. "Most of us innately understand the art of layering in fashion, even if we think we don't," she says. "We do it unconsciously every day. We add a sweater over a shirt and then add a scarf with a similar color scheme. We add jewelry in the same colorway, plus shoes, a purse and other accessories that blend. But when it comes to our rooms, we either err on the side of blandness or we go overboard with too much stuff."

Here is the work of five designers that incorporated layering meant to showcase each homeowner's personal style.