From the Top

Interior design is, for the most part, an open ended project. There is no formula for it, and no objective right or wrong. This sometimes makes it difficult to begin, especially if you don't know where to start.

Washington, D. C. based interior designer Liz Levin says to first think about how a particular space will be used. "What will you do with this space? The design needs to complement the room's function." This means that if you are decorating a den or television room, you will want to make sure to arrange the furniture for maximum viewing potential. You may want to avoid positioning the TV in an area with heavy foot traffic, lest someone walks in front of it during a movie and disrupt the view for everyone else.

Lighting is also important. And just like furnishing, it must also work with the purpose of a room. "For cocktail parties, soft lighting is key," says Levin. Installing a dimmer on your ceiling lights or putting lamps or votives around the room helps create the ambiance needed for an evening event, but does not eliminate the possibility of brighter lighting for a more casual setting.

Most people only see two purposes for windows - letting light in, and providing a view to the outside. But a bare window can bring the look and flow of a room to a screeching halt. Choose window accessories that serve those two basic functions while at the same time giving your room an elevating touch.

Thinking about theses three things is a good place to start when decorating, but it is important to remember that your room and your home are not about paint and upholstery. "It's about a person and the things they love."