#1. Choose Fall Colors ~ Look around. In the fall there is color everywhere. If your changing your color scheme use nature to help you with it. The colors in the changing leaves are beautiful indoors ~ red, orange, and yellow are warm colors which will acually help your rooms to feel more warm and cozy in the winter.

You don't have to paint the walls either to add some fall color. If you pretty much have a neutral color on your walls and floor then using a bit of fall color can really punch up the room. A rule of thumb is to use color in threes. Maybe have a throw on the edge of the sofa, a vase of flowers on the table, and an area rug over by the door. The trick is to evenly distribute the color around the room which will cause your eye to float from one area to another comfortably.

#2. Re-arrange your furniture ~ Just moving your furniture into a different arrangement can make a huge difference in how the room feels. Maybe your furniture faced toward a large window that overlooked the backyard this summer. Try changing the focal point to a fireplace or if it's an open floor plan towards the kitchen where people gather together. (This is the number one most dramatic change you can make without spending a dime!)

#3. Add Layers ~ Just like I talked about in the introduction, layers are fashionable in the fall and they add lots of warmth to a room. Items that are good for layering include pillows, area rugs, throws, heavier draperies, and even additional accessories. Use lots of different textures and add a punch of color to get the desired effect. Build your layers just like you would an outfit. For your outfit you'd start with your base (a simple dress or pants and shirt of a neutral color usually black, tan or brown) add some function (shoes, belt, hose) and then finish with accessories for color and texture (jewlery, hat, scarf).

For your room you'd start with your walls and furniture (basic neutral colors). Add your function (side tables, lighting, additional seating) and then finish with accessories (area rugs, window treatments, pillows, throws). If you think of dressing your home this fall like you'd dress yourself this fall you can't go wrong.

#4. Add scents ~ Nothing says fall like the smell of hot apple pie, baked cinnimon, or pumpkin. Just add some of these smells to your home by using candles or potpourri in your favorite scent. Don't have any, drop a few cinnimon sticks in some simmering water on the stove and "voila" instant apple pie!

#5. Add plants and flowers ~ While everything is starting to die outside your interior can start to look a little dead too. By adding some new life with fresh green plants and brightly colored flowers you can really wake up your room. So get rid of dying or wimpy looking plants to make room for some new ones.

Want some custom artwork without spending a fortune? Make your own canvas art.

First, purchase some blank framed artist canvases from your local art supply store. They come in many different sizes and you can usually find a sale. One idea is to cover them with some coordinating fabric from your local fabric store by simply stapling the fabric to the back of the canvas. Or, buy some paints to coordinate with your color scheme and try a decorative paint technique or just explore your inner artist. Now hang some in a grouping to fill a larger area or try arranging them on top of each other for some textural interst. You'll have a beautiful gallery in no time at all.

Can't seem to find the perfect lighting fixture for your room? Make your own lamps.

Start with your theme, color, or inspiration. Now find anything that works with your theme such as a jar, vase, toy, wooden box or stair post, small chest, stack of books, the list is endless.

Now take a trip to the hardware store to purchase a lamp wiring kit. It comes with complete directions for wiring your homemade lamp. It's as easy as drilling a hole in your inspiration piece, threading the wire, and attaching the top peice where the bulb goes and your done! Instant custom lamp!!!

Autumn Wreaths

Nothing says "Welcome, come right in" like a wreath on your front door. Follow this link for some beautiful wreath ideas from Better Homes and Gardens.

Whether you have a large storage closet or just a few small shelves, organizing what you have will make your life easier.

You'll need to take inventory of what you have to store, before you start, so you will know exactly what type of storage containers you will need, how many shelves, etc.

Determine if you can maximize the space you have by changing the layout of the closet, or if space is an issue going up or over what you already have.

Use every inch of space by installing hooks on empty wall space for robes, brooms, mops, hang bags of toys or small toiletries. Add shelves on the side walls of the closet which is usually dead space.

Use flat bottom baskets and bins with straight sides to hold groups of items such as shampoos, medicines, cleaning supplies, etc. You can even label the outside of the containers so you can know quickly what's inside. Use wire dividers for separating stacks of towels, extra toilet paper or other supplies.

Take the time to assess the problems, design the best possible storage area for your space, and buy items that make storage easier and you will save a lot of time getting ready in the moring and less time looking for things. And it will look good too.

Before you go to the furniture store to purchase new furniture do your homework first to avoid costly mistakes later.

Consider function first. Think about how you are going to use the room. Is it a family room where you will be gathering with friends? Watching TV? Reading? Eating? List everything you will be doing in the room and make a furniture wish list of items you will need to be able to comfortably do everything you need to in this room.

Consider the layout. Measure your room and on a peice of graph paper draw out the room counting each square as one foot of wall space. Include windows and doors as blank spaces on the wall. Note additional items such as heating ducts, fireplaces, outlets, etc. Now get the measurements of the furniture you want to use and draw a rectangle for the sofa, squares for the chairs, etc for each peice using the same (one square = one foot) on a separate peice of graph paper. Now cut out the furniture peices and place them on top of the room layout. You can move them around to try different arrangements and see if everything fits before you buy it.

Buy to last. You may think that buying inexpensive furniture is saving you money but if you compare quality instead of price you will be making a wise investment. Furniture isn't something that you purchase often so make sure the furniture you buy is going to last you a good long while.

Stay neutral. If you buy a good quality peice and you want it to last, make sure you stay reletively neutral with the upholstery choice. This way if you get the urge to redecorate and don't want to spend a lot of money then you can just change your accessories and window treatments and get an entirely differnt look without having to buy new furniture. Remember your basic outfit???

Shop where you feel comfortable. I'm not crazy about high pressure salespeople and I am basically a very casual person, so I go back again and again to places where I feel comfortable. Shop around to find a place that has the styles that you like, the prices you can afford, and the type of sales people you enjoy working with, and then use them over and over again. Most furniture stores have catalogs so if you don't see what your looking for in the showroom they can get it for you, just ask them.