Decorating with Passion

When it comes to interior decorating the worst word you can use is 'boring'. It's a word that can kill a decorator's career. If a room is a reflection of its creator then what does a boring room say about you?

The best way to avoid that dreaded word is to decorate with passion. Display what you love, use color freely, and forget about what anyone else says. Here are some ways to create a personal home that reflects who you are.

Tell the Story of You

The items you collect tell the story of who you are and where you've been. Don't hide them away in boxes or behind closet doors. What matters to you? What do you treasure? Express yourself through the objects you display in your home and tell everyone the story of who you are.

Don't Be Afraid to be Quirky

When it comes to interior decorating there are a lot of rules. But those rules are about how to create a home that's pleasing to the eye by making sure you use the right sizes of things, hang things at the right height and so on. They don't tell you what to decorate with and how to express yourself. So don't be afraid to display your quirky objects or express your quirky ideas. Quirkiness equals personality. It's fun and unique. Don't take things too seriously, and don't be afraid to be silly.

Use One-of-a-Kind Items

There's nothing passionate about going to a big box store and doing all your shopping. When people decorate their homes with mass-produced items they all start to look the same. That's not to say you can't buy some things at these stores, just be sure to include some unique and one-of-a-kind items every now and then. There should always be something in your home that can't be found anywhere else.

Display Your Collections (No Matter How Weird They Are)

Are you a collector? Do you collect milk glass bottles, vintage potato mashers, Gumby and Pokey salt and pepper shakers? No matter how bizarre or quirky your collections are find a spot where you can display them with pride.

Use Color with Abandon

There's a secret out there that some people don't want you to know. The truth is that all colors go together. Sure there are some that are more pleasing to the eye when used together, but the truth is that you can decorate with just about any colors and make them look good together. So use color freely. Splash it on the walls, use it in on the furniture, and place it on the floors. Stop worrying and toss in some color wherever you can.

Don't Worry About What Goes with What

People spend way too much time worrying about what goes with what. Patterns, colors, shapes, sizes – people can spend a ton of unnecessary time worrying that things won't look just right. In the meantime they sometimes miss out on the opportunity to create a unique and lovely look for their home. If you really like something then go for it. When it comes to your house the only person you have to please is yourself (and of course the other members of your household).

Display What Makes You Smile

When you walk into your home you should be surrounded by things you love. Artwork, accessories, even furniture – you should never buy them just for the sake of buying them. They should be things you really enjoy looking at. Even if your neighbor, sister or best friend would never dream of buying them, if they make you smile then they're the right thing for your house.

Be Confident

Always be confident in your choices and your personal style. Don't let anyone tell you what you should or shouldn't decorate with and don't try to make your home look like it belongs in a magazine. That's not to say there isn't room for advice from friends and professionals, but you home is for you and you should be confident in your style and taste. When people try too hard to be "safe" they end up with plain homes that say nothing about them. A timid home is a boring home so decorate with confidence.

When you decorate with things you love it's amazing how a room can pull itself together. No one wants a room that looks bland and no one wants a room that looks like it belongs in a museum (well, some people do but this article isn't for them). So decorate with things you love and things that make you smile – it's your home and the only one you need to please is yourself. Be passionate about what you love and your home will be a beautiful reflection of you.