Are you planning on decorating your home with a theme? Thinking up a theme would depend on your likes and dislikes, your interests, etc.
Your eye for choosing the furniture, accessories or rugs that match the theme, too, is equally important.
Once you have that in mind and know where to place what, the rest will fall in place before you know it.
Whatever the style, it is necessary to get style support from accessories placed in the room, like tables, shelves, lampshades, cushions, area rugs, portraits, etc.
that match with the theme.
There are various themes you can choose from like country, contemporary, rustic, your own mix of styles, a theme that focuses on a family member's career, hobby or collections.
Whatever the theme, a visit to your local home improvement center, furniture outlet and also surfing on the internet would yield you some positive results and better your knowledge about your theme.
Country: If you have decided to have the country setting for your house, your furniture would include pinewood or oak, giving it a more rustic look.
The color of the walls could be in pastel shades with antique looking pine wood, cushioned sofas, wall units should look more like 'shadow boxes' or shelves to put up display items like trophies, artifacts (metal would look lovely), small beautifully carved treasure chests, etc.
These shelves could be used in every room including the kitchen where cups, saucers, plates, etc can be displayed.
Contemporary: This style, also known as the modern style, is known for its simplicity in furniture, bare walls and dark and light colors that can be applied to walls, furniture or rugs.
Walls are usually in light shades with furniture in contrasting colors like black wooden beds or sofas with white or beige upholstery.
Accessories places on side tables are usually bold against the black, dark furniture and bare walls.
On the whole this style looks comfortable to the eye.
Rustic: This style reminds one of rough surroundings so even furniture would look that way with polished logs and wood.
Too much of these items in your home would be too heavy for the eyes, so have to be toned down with cushions, pillows and rugs.
This style also involves a nice rustic wooden, stone fireplace with mirrors around to accentuate the room.
Eclectic: This is a mix of any two styles: Asian and contemporary or rustic and cottage, etc.
They are colorful and appealing to the eye.
Walls over here are brightly painted in red and gold with furniture and fabric matching them in color, fringes and frills are the hallmark of this style.
Matching styles can be a little tricky at first, that's where your creativity comes in.
Career, hobby or collection: In this style accessories and artifacts show your interests, hobbies and showcase all your collections.
Type of furniture or the rugs used in the rooms is not so important but colors and accessories do like sea corals, blue and white upholstery, shells and other 'sea' collections.
If you were working at sea you would naturally think of putting replicas of ships, wheels on the wall, etc.
Whatever your style, give it your best shot and you will see it change before you.