8 Reasons Your Walls Are Stressing You Out

"People are usually trying to have too many things be the 'standout' piece," says Larson. It can be helpful to walk into the room and note where your eye travels—and where you want it to travel. If your eyes are pinging between several things, you may want to move a few to another room. That doesn't mean you need "filler" items you don't like as much; you may just need to swap some of the bolder, brighter things for pieces that don't compete as much.

Artwork, for example, can be the focal point of the room, Larson says, or it can provide a layer of depth that allows something else—like a vibrant yellow lampshade and rug—to pop.