Designing for Your Personality

Experts may set down rule after rule on designing your home, but at the end of the day, it\'s all a matter of choice. No matter how closely you follow the rules, you can\'t really be comfortable in your own home when you don\'t like what you see. That\'s why the first rule in home design is to follow your tastes. Every choice you make should be something you can live with for at least a few years. If you\'re not sure how to do it, here\'s a quick guide to help you out.

Wall colors: This is what most people think of first when they set out to decorate. Choose a color that you personally like-not what the magazines say is in or out for the season. A good trick for those who have more than one choice is to paint two opposite walls one color, and the other two a different but complementary shade. If you change your tastes once in a while, go with a neutral color such as cream or white, and just mix and match accessories as you wish.

Flooring: Your flooring can say a lot about you and your lifestyle. A lot of homeowners are tempted to go for "modern" options like glass, cork or leather, but they don\'t always match the way you live. If you live alone or don\'t do much around the home, you can go for these delicate materials as long as you can spare time for maintenance. But if you have kids and pets, you\'ll want something that can take the heavy abuse. Choose something affordable and low-maintenance, such as ceramic tile or vinyl.

Furniture: The first question should be how much seating you really need. As a general rule, there should be room for everyone in the household, plus a couple of extra spaces for the occasional guest. Choose a furniture style according to the room\'s purpose. A comfy recliner might work for a home theater, but if it\'s a gathering place or coffee nook, you may want to go for simpler structures or a small table-and-chairs set.