You’ve probably heard of the focal point—that one thing that catches the eye and pulls your room décor together. It can be a fancy centerpiece, an ornate piece of décor, or basically anything of interest. The focal point is one of the first choices you have to make when designing a room. Without a good focal point, your room is just a mess of furniture and fabric, color and pattern, with no real sense of order.

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Home decorating isn’t just about matching textures and colors anymore. Now, most interiors are done with a theme in mind. Some people like the country theme while others prefer a more modern look. Oriental themes, Indian themes, American Southwest… These are all great ideas, but have you ever thought about basing your theme on the natural world?

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Doing your own decorating while on a budget doesn’t have to be about weaving your own area rugs or creating lamps out of old golf clubs. You can decorate on a budget and still have a living space that has style.

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Using your sun room year round has never been easier. Although you’re used to leaving it alone in the winter, a few simple tweaks can make your sun room the perfect hang out no matter what the weather.

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Most homes today are decorated in a more casual or family friendly style rather than the formal don’t-touch-anything style of past generations. However, this formal look can create an elegant and luxurious atmosphere that is lacking in many homes today. The question is…is this a look that you could really maintain and enjoy? Before you start planning your home’s interior design or choose to decorate your home or single room in a formal decorating style, consider the functionality and upkeep that go along with maintaining this classical, and often expensive, design style.

Formal home décor usually involves using dark, intricately carved hardwood furniture and floors. They are often coated in shiny, highly polished lacquered finishes to reflect the lights and attract the eye’s attention. This can be a sleek and expensive look, but it can also collect dust and is easily marred with fingerprints and smudges. Wood furniture and floors need to be dusted, polished, and mopped on a regular basis to keep them looking clean and luxurious. More on Is Formal Home Décor for You? Consider Functionality and Upkeep

Don’t look now, but those retro designs so popular in the 1970’s are back! Perhaps it’s because kids leaving their parents’ homes and establishing their own are raiding family attics and basements and hauling out all that stuff their parents started out with 30 years ago. Or maybe it’s that a modular sofa from the 1970’s is easier to find and less expensive to purchase than, say, a Queen Ann desk actually made during Queen Ann’s day.

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Modern minimalist decorating is dramatic and impressive when properly approached. Despite popular opinion, modern minimalist decorating is not bare bones but rather everything in the room has a specific function. People seeking an organized oasis away from the cluttered chaos of the world will appreciate modern minimalist decorating.

To be sure we get it right, let’s first consider what each of the terms modern and minimalist mean to avoid confusion. More on Modern Minimalist Decorating: When it Works and When it Doesn’t

When it comes to designing décor that works for you and your kids remember these two words: Washable and safe: Washable to keep your home looking its best, and safe from the standpoints of your kids and your possessions both.

Washable is easy enough to understand. After all, kids-especially the toddler to junior high variety-are little dirt magnets. They pick up dirt from everywhere (including places that don’t appear to have any) and redeposit it to every surface they touch.

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French Country Home Décor: A Popular Home Decorating Choice

French country design is a very popular design choice today, even for those who have never been to France. Don’t let the idea of “French” design intimidate you because it’s actually quite easy to achieve this French country décor style.

French country design is influenced by the colors, textures, sights, and sounds of the Provence region of southern France. It’s all about living the good life, relaxing, and enjoying the world around you. But it’s also about working hard in order to get what you want out of life. Natural colors, fresh produce, rich fabrics, aromatic spices, deep red wines, dark metals, and rustic coziness are all a part of French Country décor.

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What is Shabby Chic Home Décor: An Infusion of Warmth and Personality

Shabby chic offers understated charm and splendor while infusing warmth and personality throughout your living quarters. The basis of shabby chic is simple colors combined with your favorite artwork, accessories and furniture. This versatile, easy way of decorating is affordable, fun and elegant.

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