Design is a part of everyday life. We see it in the style of décor we choose in our homes, on the advertisements we pass on the way to work and even in the landscaping so prevalent in other outdoor spaces. Whether or not you consider yourself creative, knowing the basics of good design will come in handy more often than not. In fact, you might not even realize you’re putting your design skills to the test.

For the best result, follow these key tips to a successful design:

1. Keep it simple. Less is more when it comes to a strong design. Lay out your ideas using a wireframe approach and weed out the unnecessary details. White space is good! It helps draw the viewer’s eye to the message you want to emphasize. Remember, when everything is important…nothing is important.

2. Use no more than two fonts. When you’re building a design from scratch, you want to make sure each element makes up a cohesive design. Choose two fonts that blend well together (I prefer using a serif and a sans serif). Use one font as your primary and the other as your secondary. If you use more than two, the fonts themselves start to become a focal point rather than the message itself. Don’t distract the viewer from the goal.

3. Choose neutral colors. No matter which type of design I’m building, I always start with neutral colors. Depending on the project, I then branch out to include a splash of color applicable to the theme. For example, if it’s an outdoor theme I include a shade of green. If it’s a brand-specific theme I include one of the colors of the logo. Neutral colors ensure the look of your design is timeless and pleasing to the eye.

4. Pay attention to alignment. It seems like a minor detail but proper alignment truly brings a design together. Excluding the title, try to stick with one alignment rule throughout your design. For example, if one item is centered, all the items are centered; and if one item is right-aligned, make sure all items are right-aligned. Your design will not only look good, but it will also be easy for viewers to read.

5.Consistent caps. Make sure you use consistent caps for all headings and subheadings. For example, if one of your headings is uppercase, make sure they all follow that suit. If your paragraph copy is title caps, make sure all blocks of paragraphs use title caps.

Consistency and minimalism are key when implementing a strong design strategy. Whether you’re freshening up your resume, redoing a room in your house or putting together a presentation at work…following the above best practices will always lead to an aesthetic and easy-to-follow result. Keep it simple, keep one goal in mind and emphasize factors that play into your key message.