Decorate your den

Style is more than fashionable clothing. So, this week, I'd like to take a break from clothes to discuss the ever important, yet often overlooked, topic of stylish living spaces. To most people, the phrase "interior decoration" brings to mind images of someone's mother matching floral wallpaper with carpet swatches. However, pleasing interiors needn't be meticulously coordinated and stuffy. Instead, think of your environment as an extension of your personal style.

When first approaching any interior, one must ask, "What do I want from this space?" For many of us, one room must serve as a peaceful retreat, an efficient workspace, and a place to entertain friends. It may sound difficult to achieve a balance, and many people give up altogether. Don't listen to those who say that busy college students shouldn't worry about what their homes look like. The fact is, one's environment does subtly impact one's psyche. If your room is chaotic, dirty, and inefficient, you will soon start to feel the same way. Wouldn't you rather live in style and comfort? Here are a few guidelines to get you started.

Conveniently, many of the rules that apply to fashion also apply to decoration; the most important rule being "Work with what you have." Sure, you may not live in a luxury penthouse, but even the crappiest dorm room can look decent if you approach it correctly. Say, for instance, your walls are brick. Instead of trying to cover up the walls with as many magazine clippings, posters, and photos you can find, make the brick look like an intentional design element. Find a wall hanging that picks up the beautiful rusty red tones of the brick or hang a series of black and white pictures for that "industrial-chic loft" look. The same is true of white walls. If you can't paint, create a whole color palette of off-whites, creams, and pale neutrals. The resulting look will be very clean, sleek, and restful.

The second most important rule is to always keep things simple. An outfit can be ruined with too many accessories. Likewise, too much clutter can ruin a room. You may be wondering, "How do I find room for sleeping, working, and entertaining in a single space without it seeming cluttered?" First of all, hide as much as possible. Do not have your school supplies out in full view. Instead, put them in an attractive storage container. Remember that one larger container is far less visually chaotic than a bunch of tiny objects -- even if they take up the same amount of space. Generally, the more organized you are, the more you can store away. For example, you can fit an incredible amount of stuff under your bed as long as it is neatly stacked in easy-access storage bins.

A controlled color palette is another way to avoid visual chaos. You don't have to be monochromatic, but limiting the number of dominant colors in bedding, artwork, etc. helps to unify a multi-purpose space. Always keep your color palette in mind when purchasing anything for your room. Light neutral tones are a safe bet, especially in smaller spaces, but don't shy away from bold colors altogether. Have fun with small accessories like throw pillows and lampshades.

Lastly, don't forget a little luxury. Being a college student isn't an excuse for not allowing yourself to have a few nice things. It makes perfect sense to splurge on something like quality bedding since you use it every day. A beautiful, warm blanket is another item you'll use again and again. Also, don't underestimate the importance of good lighting. Invest in some real table lamps -- you know the kind with a base and a shade (not the plastic variety from the office supply store). Even little touches, like putting a frame around a poster, add a great deal of class to your space. Having quality, attractive objects in your room will make it seem like less like a temporary storage locker for all your schoolbooks and more like a real home.

Using these simple guidelines, it's easy to create a home that you can't wait to return to after a hard day's work. Whether it is a miniscule dorm room or a spacious off-campus apartment, it should reflect the same taste and flare you express with your clothing. Most importantly, your home should make you feel good.