Home decorating not only serves as a means of self-expression, but it can truly transform the way a space affects those within it. Whether you've been in your home for years or you've just moved in, you probably want to make it really feel like it's yours. There are 3 simple ways to transform your living space: paint, lighting and flooring. Though these changes may seem simple, they can dramatically change a room or home.

Paint

Colors send a variety of messages, which can change the tone as much as the appearance of your room. Warm colors such as red, yellow, and orange can be seen as inviting or bold, depending on what hue is chosen and how much is used. On the other hand, cool colors such as blue, green and purple are often calming. Neutrals colors such as beige, brown and cream have a similar affect as white paint because they act like a blank canvas. Almost any color can be paired with them.

The specific shade is often important. Darker shades can make rooms appear smaller while lighter shades can make rooms look larger. When thinking of color for your space, consider what kind of mood you would like and the size of the room.

Lighting

Lighting can affect the tone of a room as much as paint can. For instance, soft lighting can make a room feel romantic and intimate. According to Rebecca Jerdee and Sharon Overton of Better Homes and Gardens, www.bhg.com, light can enhance colors, and textures as well. They also describe many types of lighting to consider, such as ambient lighting, accent lighting and recess lighting.

When trying to decide on a particular type of lighting, you should consider what you use the space for. Some tasks and chores require a well-lit area. How many people need to share that space? Is there anything you want to emphasize with an accent light?

Flooring

At All-Home Décor, they emphasize how the floor should blend in with the décor and enhance it. Therefore, it's important to find the type of flooring that fits with the style in the room. For instance, if you have country-style furniture and accents, wood flooring may be the right match. If you have a Mediterranean-style kitchen, rustic tiles may be the accent you're looking for. Colored area rugs with a simple design often go well with contemporary-style rooms. As with the other decorating accents, think about what you have in your space.

These are some ideas to get you started thinking about your own space. Remember it's your home, so you should do what you feel comfortable with. 

 
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