Decorate with accessories to show your individuality.

Learn to develop a home that is uniquely yours and one of a kind by original use of accessories

More than any other part of our home, how we use home accessories defines who we are. Accessories are an expression of our likes and preferences, our interests and hobbies, our hopes and dreams

Nothing could be further from the truth. There are no rules and regulations to worry about. No "accessory police" are going to raid your home and remove inappropriate objects.

Yes, there are ways to arrange accessories to create pleasant pictures. But what is pleasing to one person may only resemble a hodgepodge to another. Never worry about pleasing your friends and neighbors. This is your personal part of the earth, and only you have to be pleased and satisfied with the results.

Give display space only to objects you love

The only rule here it to give an object house space only if it is something you truly love and it makes you feel good, or makes you laugh, or brings good memories. If you are using an accessory around the house because it was given as a wedding present, or you inherited it from your great aunt, pack the item away. If someone you love has given you a perfectly hideous puce lamp that you hate, store it away until her next visit. Be sure and put it in a place of honor during the visit. It will make both of you feel good. After the visit, Banish It until the next visit!

Some basic guidelines on how to decorate with accessories

Below are some guidelines and ideas to help you get started in using home accessories to show off your creativity and personality. Once you arrange a few accessory pictures to please yourself, you will find this pastime is like eating M&Ms. You will find yourself looking for just the right bathroom accessory for that bathroom sink or a kitchen accessory to place on the shelf by the back door.

Nothing is set in stone

There is nothing easier to redo or replace than accessories. Don't ever worry about doing things wrong. Nothing is a total disaster (unless of course you just put down $5000. for a piece of sculpture you totally hate so you could impress your boss!).

If you bought something you love and absolutely can't find a place to put it, pack it away. In another year, this might be just the piece you can use as you change accessories for another season or family celebration.

Consider changing your home accessories often

Which brings me to another point. When you decorate with accessories, consider changing your accessories on a regular basis. A new season, a holiday, a special family occasion or visitor, are all reasons for changing accessories. Doing this on a regular basis keeps a freshness and excitement to your home. As people get a chance to see your favorite possessions in a new spot, they may be more apt to notice something they have overlooked before, or they may think you have bought a new item. You will find that doing this also gives you a new appreciation of your treasures. As you handle them, clean them, and think about where to move them, you will revive good memories and feelings about how and why you obtained this item and why you love it.

Keep a storage closet for accessories that are not in use

By having a place to store unused home decorating accessories, you will be more apt to pick up an unusual piece or buy something you really love. Many times people pass up the perfect vase, or unusual candy dish because they feel they don't have the place to put it.

By rotating home accessories on a regular basis, you know you'll be able to use that perfect piece somewhere at sometime, so go ahead and splurge on that gorgeous holiday candle, wonderful teapot, or special souvenir from your vacation, knowing you have a place to store it until it gets it's moment of fame. You will find that doing this also gives you a new appreciation of your treasures. As you handle them, clean them, and think about where to move them, you will revive good memories and feelings about how and why you obtained this item and why you love it.

Exercise for Developing your Creativity on How to Use Accessories

As an exercise in learning how to use accessories for creating interesting displays, try arranging some of the common items you have in your home just to get the feel of creating a design picture with accessories.

Place items on fabric, decorative trays, serving platters or straw mats. Put an item in, take an item out, go wild, have fun, after all, there is no cost involved and you may be pleasantly surprised what you can accomplish with everyday objects.

If you have some handy, add some fruit, vegetables or flowers to see what a differance a touch of nature can bring to your display.

When you create something you like, be sure and take a photo of it so that you can remember it and recreate it whenever you wish.

More Tips on How to Decorate With Accessories