by Pam Nelson

Created on: June 13, 2009   Last Updated: June 16, 2009

Decorating your home does not need to be intimidating if a few simple rules are followed. Some very common pitfalls can ruin the best of intents.

A Room That Is Too Formal:

Many people have mistakenly found themselves with the too formal of a room. If the room is too sterile or uncomfortable people will not relax in the space and it will result in wasted space. A room can be formal and yet still have a warm and inviting feel. If you are not compelled to sit and stay for a while, consider adding a pop of color, softer fabrics or pillows to soften the edges and add warmth.

A Poorly Lit Room:

A poorly lit room is lost in the shadows. Add a spot-light to feature your favorite art to give a bit of drama. Add a table lamp to a dark corner or sconces to add over all ambient lighting. Good lighting will help make a room appear warm and inviting.

The Wrong Accessories:

Avoid a rug around your toilet, fake flowers in a vase or silk plants. These accessories really should just be avoided. Add fresh flowers and live plants, for the money, they are worth the beauty they bring.

Too Crowded:

Over crowding is another common problem in decorating. Over-sized furniture over-powers a room. Furniture should have a good flow so you can move around without bumping into items. Don't place everything up against the walls so it has a hallway look but group furniture together for a conversation area around a focal point in the room. A room does not need have a sea of seating. Cubes tucked away under a coffee table or side chairs from a dining room can easily be brought in when there is a need for additional places to sit.

Too Much Clutter:

Too much of a good thing like pillows that have to be put on the floor to sit down, or too many collectibles essentially leans toward clutter. Rotate display items instead of having your whole collection out at the same time. Too many items in a room just over-whelm a space and doesn't give your eye a rest.

Too Bland

Lastly don't be afraid of color. Without color a room's decor can be just too plain. Draperies, accessories and paint are all great ways to add color and add a finishing touch to a room. Remember color can easily be changed and you can always start out small. Keep color to some smaller items and test out some of your favorite color choices until you find the color that really works for you. If you keep to these rules of thumb for decorating, your room will be a place you will want to visit often.

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