• Standard Living/Family Room – it should be proportional to a room’s floor space.
  Ideally, it should leave an equal amount of floor bare all around it. This applies
  regardless of obstacles like fireplace hearths, radiators, and furniture set against
  the walls. An alterative is to place the rug so it reaches under all or most of the
  furniture’s front legs (it’s not always necessary the back legs are on it). There also
  shouldn’t be more then 2’ of rug beyond the furniture. Either place a piece of
  furniture in it such as a console table behind a sofa or find a smaller size.
• In the Bedroom – Use the same rules as in the living room: choose a rug that leaves approximately 2” of bare floor at the edges. However, if your bed is off center, centering the rug under the bed will look awkward. As alternative, use two or three smaller rugs in the room – one on each side of the bed and perhaps the third at the end of the bed, instead of one large one.

• Frame your existing mirror – to give it definition and updated style in 2 ½ “ wide wood or MDF (Medium density fiber board), stained or painted and attach it right to the mirror to the wall around it.
• Dress up the cabinetry – for a flat plain door & drawer fronts, add detail to plain vanity doors by installing panel mouldings about 2” to 3” in from the edges (found in all hardware stores).
• Sleek new hardware – replace outdated and worn out cabinetry knobs & pulls with new good-looking versions in brushed nickel & chrome and are available at reasonable prices everywhere.
• Change the light fixture – Double sconces on either side of a mirror are an especially hot look right now or a great looking single fixture that radiates a good amount of light for the space.
• Stylish new sink – if your budget allows, you’ll be surprised at the difference it can make.
• Cover outdated floors - with peel-and-stick linoleum tiles in a fresh new color.
• Added storage – in a bath without much storage, make use of the vertical wall space over the toilet and hang an inexpensive new medicine cabinet chest or floating open shelves.

• Using Fabrics Creatively:
  
  Fabric weaves, finishes, and patterns express varying degrees of formality.
  Eclectic – linen is a good choice for eclectic rooms that are sleek yet casual.
  Casual – whether contemporary or country, dress sofas & chairs in the same
  textural denims, plaids & cottons you wear on weekends.
  Formal – matched fabrics convey a formal look, as do elegant silk, damask, and
  Chintz.
• Frame a View:
  
  Window treatments play a major role in building your style.
  Eclectic – loosely draped curtains express a casual, clean or eclectic look.
  Minimal – stick to unadorned shades, blinds or shutters.
  Formal – consider traditional drapes with flowing floor –to-ceiling panels,
  Valances & elegant trim.
• Furniture Tells a Story:
  
  Tailor furniture for the way you want to use your space.
  Casual – Oversized roll-arm sofas & chairs with an abundance of pillows.
  Modern – 20th century classics such as Barcelona & Wassily chairs.
  Formal – antiques, reproductions featuring classic details such as camelbacks
  on sofas or ball-and-claw feet.
• Factor in Texture:
  
  Most important to give visual interest and personality.
  Casual – rough textures such as berber carpet, natural fibre rugs, wicker furniture
  Work in casual & eclectic rooms.
  Formal – smooth textures such as lacquer, glass, mirrors and polished woods
  convey a sleek yet formal attitude.

Create Unity – Color and theme unit a display, but subtle differences add interest.
(ie. all of the pictures are black & white, all frames are the same
color, not necessarily the same size, all are family photos or
similar theme).

Focal Point – Give the arrangement a focal point. One larger or a set of larger
pictures or photos can be placed in the center, with smaller ones
radiating their way out from the inner pictures for a more casual
grouping.

Center Stage – Find a wall space where images can take center stage. A hallway is
the perfect spot for a large arrangement of pictures.

Arrangement – Let the wall space suggest the shape of the arrangement – a tall,
narrow space might be enliven by pictures hung in a tall column, a
long hallway lends itself to a series of photographs hung gallery
style or hung in a uniform layout.

• Who will use this room?
• Is it a space that’s utilized on a daily basis or one that sees only occasional use?

Part of the process, is to consider the architectural assets your room offers. A living room with a grand fireplace already has its own “built-in” focal point. In a space that’s nothing more then a square box, you’ll need to create a center of focus such as an armoire or eye-catching work of art.

• What pieces do you own that will work in the new scheme and which ones will youneed to purchase?
• Are there any physical restrictions for the furnishings on your wish list? The grand
  piano would be marvelous in the living room but will it fit through the door (or window).

Budget is a “big” part of the equation, it’s also important to prioritize. Not everything needs to be completed on your wish list at once, some of the best dressed rooms evolve over time adapting to the changing needs of you and your family.