by Brenda Bowers

Created on: August 03, 2008   Last Updated: November 18, 2010

You can find a lot of advice about the steps to take in designing a room, or interior design. The internet has a hundred or more sites and the book stores offer at least several dozen books on the topic. I think however that they all took their cue from one person who erroneously suggested that the first step in designing a room is to decide on the type of flooring and then to decide on the lighting and a whole list of decisions, decisions, decisions. Then the rest of the interior design experts just followed along like sheep. Well, we are ladies not sheep so we do things the sensible, fun and maybe just a bit emotional way.

I will go along with the type of flooring being Number One, but how in the world can you decide on the type of lighting until you have designed the room and know where and what kind of lighting you will need?

No. You should most certainly leave the lighting until last. Instead get yourself a cheap floor lamp or a couple of those hanging bare bulbs like your husband uses when he is working on his car after dark.

Now we will design your new room: I am supposing that you have been around long enough to know what style furniture turns you on. Is it Contemporary, Retro, Art Deco or Traditional? I am also assuming that you have some idea what the room is to be used for and therefore the furnishings you will probably need. Now put down either a lovely wood floor or a good quality neutral wall to wall carpet and leave the plastered walls white.

I might mention that neutral need not be beige, black, brown, tan or white. There are enough shades of these neutrals that you can surely find something that appeals. And you might even look at the more subtle dusty greens that also go with just about any colors. After all God made grass and trees greens as a background for all the flowers didn't he?

Don't really be concerned about the carpet showing dirt because the newer carpets are treated with dirt resistant chemicals. Do get the best floor covering you can afford for this all important base flooring.

Now that you have completed the basic "chores" of creating the setting for your new room now is where the real fun comes in: Shopping. Go shopping for an area rug at least 5 feet by 8 feet in size. A larger carpet might be better for a large room. If you prefer Contemporary furnishings you will want a more abstract or geometric patterned area carpet. If your tastes are for feminine curves and comfort of traditional furnishings rather than angles then you

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