Decorating Tips for Your Home

There are many ways to help you get the look you want. You can buy interior design books that will help with color coordination, furniture styles, and an all-over look that appeals to you.

Walk through home accessory stores and let your imagination wander. Visit furniture stores and make notes on how their professional interior designers accessorized various areas. Both Ross and Marshall's stores always have unique and affordable home decor items.

If you find that you just can't decide on anything or are unable to visualize what you want in your home, you could call on the services of an interior designer, who can either redesign your entire home or simply advise you on paint colors.

You don't have to own a million dollar home to make yours look great. Borrow ideas that you can incorporate into your own home.

For example, note how the large pots frame the foyer of this house. You can find pots like this in several price ranges anywhere from your local grocery store to home decor stores. If you're looking for a real bargain check out garage sales and swap meets.

Your local nursery can advise you on which trees will do well indoors and how to take care of them. Many of the artificial trees look real these days, and you won't have to have a green thumb to keep it looking good!

One of the latest trend is to design the interior of your home in such a way that it doesn't have a negative impact on the environment or you. This is important for the safety and health of your family.

One of the ways you can go green is by using paint that is non-toxic. This kind of paint is more expensive but the extra cost is well worth it. You can find it at any paint store, or at Lowe's and Home Depot. You won't have those awful fumes permeating the room and your home. This is especially important in a baby's nursery or child's room.

As for your flooring, one of the worst things to do is install carpeting. Carpets are not very environment-friendly at all and can also be bad for your health. Dirt, dust, dander and pollen can settle into your carpet and make your life miserable - and you won't even know why! Have you ever pulled up an old carpet? What's lurking below is disgusting.

The most "green" flooring you can buy is bamboo or hardwood. This type of flooring is much easier to clean, especially if you have pets. Nothing hiding in the depths, either. Wood flooring is beautiful and is not difficult to keep it looking that way. A quick daily swipe with a dust mop and regular cleaning using the cleanser recommended by the manufacturer will keep it glowing.

This master bath is a great example of form and function. Wouldn't you love to have it in your home? Light a few candles, settle into the deep tub and relax with a glass of wine. Ahhh!

This bathtub surround is slate, but you can get this look from laminates such as Formica for much less money. The saltillo tile flooring is actually quite inexpensive and not difficult to lay yourself. Home Depot often has classes on how to tile floors, and it can be quite satisfying to tile an area with a friend or your spouse. (It can be tough on your back though, and make sure you wear knee pads!)

The cabinets beneath the slate surround are perfect for hiding all those shampoo, conditioners, body washes, razors etc. that usually clutter up a bathtub area.

Don't be intimidated - it's your house!

Include personal touches like photos and collectibles.

Add a touch of whimsy.