Interior design for beginners

Q. I am trying to decorate my living room without professional help. How important are design rules? Do I need to read "how to" books on interior design? -- Mandy Liston, East Helena

A. Rules are made to be broken and that includes ones on decorating. Can you successfully decorate your living room without professional help? Absolutely! Will you make mistakes, probably, but that's OK. We learn from our mistakes. Here are some decorating thoughts to inspire your creative endeavor.

n Be a copycat. Very few decorated spaces are completely original. Interior Designers are inspired by current trends, magazine photos, and retail displays. Clip out photos from magazines of rooms or furniture that you are drawn to and store in a 3 ring binder. Copy color combinations, furniture arrangements and accessories from these photos.

n Don't be afraid of color. Experiment with different color combinations. Mix and match different hues until it feels right to you.

n Your home is always a work in progress. It will never be finished or perfect. Since our homes are a reflection of us, it should always be evolving.

n You don't have to plan everything. Start with your wall color and put the room together from there, piece by piece.

n Make sure you love everything in the room. This is a great way to declutter. Look at each item and decide if it is functional or beautiful; if not, get rid of it. It is always better to have a half empty room than a room filled with junk.

n If you can't afford it, fake it. Try to make it, paint it, or strip it. It will fill in the gap until you can buy what you want. Sometimes, hand-crafted items give the room the character it needs.

n Avoid matchy-matchy! Dishes, towels, end tables, lamps all don't have to match. Some symmetry is necessary for flow, but you will have a more interesting look if you mix it up a bit.

n Brighten up your kitchen. Everyone wants to be in the kitchen, so make sure you have enough light. Paint the walls a cheerful color and add some of your favorite accessories. Your kitchen should make you smile.

n Start small. Small changes can make a big impact. As your decorating confidence builds, dive into something bigger.