Start with four basic pieces, dress them up with a dash of personality, and you will get three very different rooms.

Contemporary

For a look that's "right now," liven up the four basic pieces with eye-popping color, clean lines and shapely accents.

1. Pick a paint with punch. Because our furniture basics are quiet neutrals, we chose Benjamin Moore's Apple Green for the walls to add a jolt of cheerful energy. A few bold accessories -- bright pillows and a watermelon bubble vase -- are all you need for an instant mood booster.

2. Use art that's off-the-wall. Put your style on the map -- literally! This schoolroom staple is an unexpected touch that inspires travel as it knits together the accent colors. And its large-scale format fits perfectly over the sofa.

3. Opt for fluid, organic shapes. A bottleneck lamp, sculptural end tables and bulbous vases (like the ones from West Elm) soften the edge.

4. Tuck away clutter. Your practical pieces can also be sleek and streamlined: The funky storage ottoman from Todd Oldham by La-Z-Boy hides mess and doubles as extra seating.