Five Tips for Creating a Stylish, Fashionable Home

Many people think that having stylish home decor is only reserved for the Martha Stewart's of the world. However, it is possible for you to have your own picture-perfect home with just a little bit of creativity on your part.

What I've come to realize is that fashion is not just about the clothes you wear, fashion is a whole lifestyle. Fashion also embodies how you decorate your home, and just like dressing your body is a form of art, decorating your home is a form of expression. Here are five tips I've come up with to give you ideas on how to create a more stylish, fashionable home:

1. Stick with your own style. Sometimes you'll want to go with home decor just because it's "hip" and "modern" and it looks great in the magazine, but if you're not going to be comfortable living with it, then by all means don't buy it! Only buy furniture and home decor that you absolutely love. Dress your home like you would dress yourself!

2. Build around a focal point. If you're stuck and don't know where to start, pick an item in the room as your focal point and buy pieces that compliment that item. Usually the focal piece will be a piece of art or a rug. Work around that focal point and pick colors and decor that go with the theme of the piece. If a rug has several colors in it, choose a couple colors you like and use them in pillows or draperies.

3. Mix it up. Most people decorate their home and then just leave it like it is for years. Looking at the same thing year after year can get boring! Try decorating your home whenever the seasons change. You don't necessarily have to go out and buy new furniture, however, you can buy new art for the walls, perhaps a new rug, or bedspread.

4. Create a journal with clippings from home decorating magazines. Fill your journal with ideas and then take it with you the next time you go shopping for home decor. Also, attend any local interior design expos or exhibits and get a feel of home decor that you connect with. You can sometimes come away with tons of ideas from attending workshops at those expos!