| Home furnishing can be difficult without the help of an | | | | mansions of Victorian England. Choose small but |
| expensive interior designer. Choosing a style is hard | | | | elegant couches and wooden armchairs with silk |
| enough, but knowing how to create that style can be | | | | covered cushions in striped or simple floral patterns. Do |
| even harder! Use these tips to create whichever look | | | | not be shy with velvet and rich brocades. Porcelain |
| you want, furnishing your home in the style that best | | | | and dried flowers will also help you get this look across |
| suits you. | | | | nicely. |
| Step #1: Choose a StyleHere are some ideas of | | | | Step #2: Enhance Your HomeWhatever style you |
| different styles you can use to decorate your whole | | | | choose, use these elements wisely to achieve the |
| house or just one room. | | | | maximum from your decorative style. |
| * Cottage: This home furnishing style calls to mind a | | | | * Lighting: Stay away from halogen and overhead |
| cozy cottage tucked away in the country or by the | | | | lighting, both of which can create harsh light and |
| lake. Cottage style means white couches and chairs, | | | | therefore harsh shadows. Instead, choose lamps with |
| or white wicker furniture with floral printed cushions. | | | | bases that fit your style and taste. Track lighting and |
| Pastel colors, soft lighting, and gauzy curtains create | | | | sconces also provide nice lighting solutions.* Color: |
| the cottage look, as do antique accessories and | | | | Color is one of the most basic and most effective |
| patchwork quilts. Complete the look with landscaping: | | | | ways to create any style. When choosing paint, think |
| nothing says country cottage like a stone walkway | | | | about practicality as well as décor; bright colors |
| and a garden full of flowers and herbs.* Mediterranean: | | | | energize and light colors soothe. Creams, beiges and |
| This home decorative style conjures the Italian and | | | | pastels create the illusion of more space, whereas |
| French seaside. Think warm yellows and earth tones, | | | | dark, rich reds and blues make a statement.* Texture: |
| as well as simple patterns set off by blue and gold | | | | Texture is an often overlooked element, yet it is crucial |
| accents. Chunky, natural wood tables fit right in, as do | | | | when creating the style of your choice. Textured walls |
| patterns of sunflowers or ships.* Oriental: As the name | | | | evoke a natural, native, earthy feel. Smooth walls are |
| implies, this style invokes the simple and sleek lines of | | | | more elegant, traditional, and will reflect more light, |
| the Orient. Less is more with this look, so choose | | | | creating a brighter room. Be careful, though, because if |
| pieces like teak and lacquered tables, armoires and | | | | a floor is textured with tiles, stone, or wood flooring, it |
| coffee tables sparingly. Accessorize with Oriental rugs, | | | | can make the room look small. With a large enough |
| silk prints and pictures of dragons or Japanese | | | | room, however, texturing your floor with tile, wood or |
| seascapes.* Traditional: This classic home furnishing | | | | stone is an excellent way to instantly create a "look". |
| style is elegant but not extravagant. Floral patterns | | | | Choose the style and décor that feels right for |
| look great on your couches, chairs, curtains and pillows | | | | you. Even if your budget doesn't allow you to renovate |
| for the traditional look, as do plaids and damasks. | | | | your entire house, choose a few important furniture |
| Heavy drapes and mahogany dining room tables also | | | | pieces (couches, tables) that will set the tone for the |
| work well with this look. Put the final touch on your | | | | whole room. Finally, accessorize along the lines of the |
| traditional home with accents like china, crystal and | | | | decorative style you have chosen, and your look with |
| framed landscapes.* Victorian: This style will make | | | | be complete. |
| your house look as beautiful and stately as the | | | | |