Once you're done with the window treatments, the repainting of the walls, and the rearranging of the furniture, you might think you're done. But are you, really? Taking a look around the room, you get this sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach, and you realize that after all your hard work, the room doesn't even look half finished yet! Now what?



Well, you may have finished designing and adorning the interiors and the shell of your home, but that doesn't mean your job is done. There are always finishing touches that you need to add, in order to create a completed and warm look. In fact, some interior decorators advocate that home decoration is never finished; that there is always something new to add or to remove. Whether it takes a week, a month, or a whole lifetime, finding just the right finishing touches for a room is really the fun part of decorating.

Expand on Your Theme ? Everyone has a special interest, whether it's sports, nature, technology, fantasy, or movies. These special interests can provide a background and several fresh ideas for designing a room and adorning it to reflect your own unique personality. When you pick out a suitable theme, you'll know what to zero in on and be able to select accessories, art, and colors to expand and enrich the theme.

Plants and Flowers ? It's amazing what a quick transformation can be made with fresh plants and flowers. You don't need to find something dramatic and expensive. A simple plant potted in a decorative pot set on a coffee table, classicshelf, on top of a cabinet, almost anywhere, adds life and color instantly. But make sure that your plants are always healthy, shiny, and free from dust. If a plant gets scraggly or droopy, waste no time getting it out. You might nurse it back to health, but not in your living space!

Wall It Up ? Your collection of prints, family photos, portraits and posters can finally get a real chance to shine by adorning those uncovered walls. However, try to follow a theme or color scheme, and don't just go smacking them up all against the walls. One large piece can create a focal point, while a small collection of pieces draw the eye for a closer look.

Favorite Stuff ? If you collect anything such as puppets, classics, terra cotta, cameras, or sporting collectibles, use the collection as a point of interest, or at least to serve as a great conversational piece. Gather the whole collection into one place or arrange the items around the room. There may be numerous works of art in your collection just waiting to be revealed and displayed, such as chinaware, wooden carved pieces, or antique metal works.

Ground It Up ? A hardwood floor looks sleek and smooth, while wall to wall carpet adds softness and unifies large spaces. But placing an area rug can add even more definition to your room. It can create boundaries for furniture and even divide an area into several other spaces, all without using any walls. Choose oriental rugs for fitting into almost any decorating theme, and contemporary patterned or color-blocked rugs add color and character to the floor and the room.