1. Color:

The most beautiful rooms look best when three or four complementary colours are used together.

2. Furnishings:

Don't be too "matchy-matchy" with furnishings. Determine what type of tables, dressers, sofas and chairs you like and make sure they are sized properly for the dimensions and layout of the room.

3. Furniture placement:

Place your furniture in shapes derived from the alphabet such as L, X or U, making sure whatever shape you use works best with the size and shape of the room.

4. Lighting:

Add drama and style to any room using items such as lamps, chandeliers and wall sconces.

5. Window treatments:

Choose a selection of window treatments that combine function and beauty such as Silhouette window shadings from Hunter Douglas featuring fabric vanes suspended between sheer facings that soften and diffuse light entering a room.

6. Flooring:

Select a type of flooring that best complements the room. Don't overlook items like wool area rugs - sheep don't shrink in the rain, so don't be afraid of wool carpeting getting wet. in fact, it's the most versatile option and cleans the best as well.

7. Walls:

Add style with colour, be it using paint or wallpaper. Remember that you can add texture as well with grasscloth wallcoverings, pearlized paint finishes and the like.

8. Hard accessories:

Use hard items such as mirrors, pottery, paintings, photos and glass around the room. Particularly when grouping photos, place smaller ones above the large ones to avoid a "top-heavy" look.

9. Soft accessories:

Combine the hard accessories with softer items, including pillows, curtains, silk flowers, tablecloths and plants to create warmth. Make sure an equal number of hard and soft accessories are used in the room for a nice balance.

10. Personality:

Add your own personality to the room to make it your own space. Show off your interests and hobbies in a creative way, using your own sense of style...and humor.

By implementing these tips, you'll be 10 steps closer to having the perfect room.