White accessories, furniture and accents can transform any living space and create a chic, modern, and sophisticated look. However, working with white can be very tricky. Too much white in a room can make the space look stark and sterile, but too little can set other colors in the room off balance and stand out too much against other color palettes. How do you introduce just the right amount of white into your apartment or house? Here are some tips for accessorizing and decorating with white décor and furnishings:

1. Use white as a focal point of the room. Whether it's a rug, a coffee table runner, or a sculpture that sits in the center of your room, choose one signature piece and three to four accent pieces to complement it so they can be scattered around the room.

2. Balance with silver, black and grey. An all-white room is much too stark and unfriendly for most living spaces, so you need to balance it out with other colors. Silver, black, grey and pewter are always great complements for white, so you can accessorize and decorate with these complementary hues to create a more attractive appearance.

3. Go for the black and white combo. Always trendy and stylish, decorating with an even amount of black and white can help you create a well-coordinated and attractive living space. Look for checkered tablecloths and cushion covers, printed throws and rugs, and furnishings that feature white or black trim. This color combo is a modern, hip and urban look that can really freshen up your living space.

4. Try off-white color palettes. Beige, ecru and white with a pinkish hue are attractive alternatives to classic white. These are actually great color options for painting entire walls and window trim with, so consider switching to a less dramatic version of white if you want a warmer look.

5. Use white as a brightener. In small doses, white can be a great way to freshen up an area of the room and draw attention to a space where there are no windows or natural light filtering in. Large white accent pillows, a white rug, or even some white vases will draw the eyes towards them and can help to balance out a dark room.

Now that beach season is underway, your skin might not be ready to meet the bronze beauties who have already gotten a head start on summer with their flawless tan. However, you don't have to sit under the sun and scorch your skin for hours to get that beautiful sun-kissed look. A few makeup tricks will help you get that bronze glow you crave!

Start things off with a solid bronze base using an illuminating liquid foundation. This type of foundation will add some natural shine and gloss to your look, and bring out the natural highlights of your skin. Next, bronze up those cheeks. You'll need a dual-colored bronzer to achieve the most natural look. Just sweep on a darker color on your cheekbones, and then dab on some of the lighter color on the apples of your cheeks, and on your T-zone. Using a bronzer on your cheeks instead of a pinkish-blush will give you the best tanned look.

For the eyes, stick with neutral browns, beige, and shimmery gold. You can use a bronzing powder as a base up to your brow, and then apply a small amount of gold or shimmering brown to your lids. This is a great way to enjoy a sun-kissed look without going overboard with your makeup. Jazz up the eyes even more with some thick mascara, and you'll be ready to show off those peepers.

The final step is to gloss up those lips with a nude-colored, shimmering gloss. Sheer lip gloss made with protective antioxidants is the best way to keep your lips looking smooth and supple all summer long. A hint of color will help you round out your bronze goddess look, and you can apply a sheer SPF lip gloss or balm underneath for extra sun protection.

Getting a sun-kissed look this season doesn't mean you have to log in hours at the tanning salon or burn your skin by the pool. Take the easier and healthier route to achieve that tan with some of these easy beauty and makeup tricks.