Shop for ideas by flipping through magazines, visiting showcase home tours or builder models, and visit local furniture shops.  This allows you to establish a sense of your own styles and lets the homeowner envision color schemes, furniture arrangements, and various likes and dislikes.

Plan your rooms.

Consider how each room lives and breathes.

Keep in mind how the room will be used, not forgetting children and pets.

The size of a room dictates design elements.

Scale applies to paint and fabrics.

Smaller rooms work better with less furniture.

Chose a focal point, usually a fireplace, bank of windows, built-in entertainment center, arrmoire, or piece of art.

Collections should be displayed together.

 THE COLOR WHEEL

Understand the use of colors and neutrals. 

The color wheel explains how to balance the use of color for what is known as a harmonious effect. 

The color wheel includes primary, secondary (complimentary) and tertiary hues. 

Neutrals include whites, beiges, taupes, grays, and blacks.

Repeat the main color throughout the room more than once.

Add pattern, texture, or prints based on the primary or focal color.

Use additional colors that compliment a room; for example gold, brown, and green.

Connect your colors throughout the main level of your home, reversing the primary with the secondary.