Is your space designed well? Here's an idea take a picture...

Many times people find themselves decorating spaces within their homes that they think look amazing. The problem is when you are decorating or designing your own space you have blinders on and can only see within the confounds of the blinders. So stop being lead like a horse and take of those blinders.....take a picture or your space! In fact take multiple pictures from different angles and at different times of the day when the lighting varies. Once the pictures are taken make sure you look at them don't just leave them on your camera.

Also, for my clutter bugs please use a digital camera and save the pictures to your computer instead of printing them off. There is no need for these pictures to become apart of your clutter problem!

Once you have the pictures, take the time to really look at them. Make note of your first reactions. Take down what you think is wrong about the room. Now note what you like about the room. Suggestions; if you are afraid of color your pictures are probably lacking color. You may notice little cohesion in your space. This is probably due to the incorrect use of accessories or color combinations. The purpose of accessories and color is to pull the space together. Think of these as the lipstick, nail polish, and eye shadow of a room. Or for men it is the tie, cuff links, belt, jacket or lack there of.

So think do you have too much eyeshadow or too little....is the shade of lipstick too powerful for the eyeshadow. Or are you highlighting the lips when you want to highlight the eyes? Could it be that a tie is too formal and just a blazer will do? Or do you need to add cuff links to this space to accent the formality of the tie?

Look at the pictures you took of your space, not the actual room....this allows you to take a step back and become a third party, an unbiased eye. Ask yourself these questions...then go back to the initial feeling you had when you took your first look at the picture. Was it the feeling you wanted to have? If not, start making the changes based on the feeling you want to have within the space and the answers to the previous questions.

Also, as you begin making changes remember that using one color through out the room does not necessarily bring the room together. The use of a couple of colors can be overwhelming to the eye. Thus, always remember that less is more...because when it comes to design it usually is! Finally, don't forget what the pictures of your space looked like at different times of the day. Add lighting! Never forget about lighting....lamps should be apart of the the decor!! Lighting can drastically modify a space....and put lights on a dimmer so you can change their brightness depending on the occasion.

For my clutter bugs this does not mean you should go out and buy a whole bunch of

lamps. You probably already have them! Find them and use the ones you have!

Also, no need to buy light bulbs to put in storage. If you just replace all your bulbs

with energy efficient ones you won't have to replace a light bulb for decades...do it!

Remember design is hard...you may be good at many things, but if design is not your area of expertise....guess what that is okay! Do your thing and consult a professional if you need help with design. I would be happy to help you with your space. I can be reached at alia@alialiving.com or check out my website www.alialiving.com. In the meantime have fun creating!