Once you have the basic decorating completed - the walls painted, the furniture arranged - you will want to add the finishing touches to the décor. Home decorating accessories can be used to convey the environment you are trying to create and to convey a little about yourself to guests.

Your home's décor would not be complete without accessories - the little touches that add a little "you" to the room. Accessories can include but are not limited to decorative pillows, throws for the chairs and sofa, plants, area rugs, display shelves, mirrors, paintings, sculptures, vases, figurines, paintings, and pictures. All of these things can be used to create just the perfect atmosphere in any room of your home. 

The first thing to do - before you spend any money - is to go through each room in your home and take inventory of what you have on hand. Some things can be relocated from one room to another to create a totally different atmosphere. Like that flokati area rug in the den would look great in your teenager's room. This is the perfect time to take a stroll down memory lane by pulling out pictures and other keepsakes that you have stored in the attic or garage. Now is the time to pull out things that you have made yourself, or things your kids have made for you.

Once you have gathered and sorted the accessories you have on hand, you may find that you will need other things. There are several ways that you can find other accessories to complement your theme - raid your parents' home for family memorabilia they might part with, search local flea markets and yard sales for one-of-a-kind accessories to add a little flair to your décor, or simply go shopping!

Once you have gathered your accessories and are ready to decorate, you should decide what area will be the focal point of your room. This is the most important area because this is the first place to which someone's eyes will be drawn when they enter the room. This is where you will want to begin accessorizing, then work your way around the room. An important point about accessorizing - only display what is necessary. Displaying too many items will create a cluttered look and take away from the effect you are trying to create.

Once you have chosen your focal points, here are a few ideas for putting your décor together to create an atmosphere that is warm, inviting, and allows your guests to see a glimpse of the real you:

Groups - Rather than spreading items around the room, place them in groups according to theme, color, or material. Groups are more dramatic and eye-catching than single items.

Family Photos - Groups of family photos will add an interesting touch to the décor. Rather than use the same size frames for each photo, try using different sizes and arrange them in an interesting way - everything does not have to follow the straight and narrow.

Plants - Plants can add warmth to a room. Of course, not everyone has a green thumb. If you fit into this category, you can use high-quality silk versions that look and feel real.

Mirrors - Mirrors can serve two purposes for a room - adding a little sparkle to the décor by amplifying the light and making the room appear larger. A mirror can be positioned so that it reflects an interesting view of the world outside through a window or to enhance the focal point of the room.