1. Clear it out. Get rid of clutter and your room will immediately look better. "Less is more" is often a difficult concept to grasp.

Spruce up your bookshelves and retire some of those tired accessories. Be selective about the pieces you have, keep the ones that have impact and that make a purposeful statement or items with a strong emotional connection.

2. Light it up. Proper lighting is essential - especially in the gloomy days of winter. Lighting is instrumental in determining how a room feels. It can set the tone. Don't settle for uninteresting light fixtures when there are so many stylish lamps, pendants, chandeliers and other fixtures that can add flair to your room.

3. Mix it up. Pulling together a room's décor is a lot like getting dressed. Fashion has moved away from the matching suit and a single brand from head to toe. Take the same approach with your room. Mixing it up adds great interest and personality to a space. There still should be a subtle repetition of colors, shapes and commonalities to the area - make it look coordinated but not contrived.

4. Glam it up ... a least a little. Accessories are the jewelry of the home. This is an area where you can indulge in a trend without blowing the budget. New pillows can add a huge pop to a room. Include a textured throw for softness and color. Fresh flowers are never out of style; display them in a treasured glass vase or buy a new oversized vase to add some drama to the room. Change the lampshades and make the lamps seem new again.

5. Reinvent areas. Moving furniture can refresh a room and enliven age-old belongings. Move artwork and mirrors from their original place and display them in another room, or display them in a grouping. Move area rugs or simply display them differently, perhaps by laying them on a diagonal. Take photos and hang them together in a hallway to give it a gallery effect.

6. Reach for comfort. Sterile, don't-sit-on-that rooms have given way to those that say "come on in." The world has changed in the past few years; staying home and enjoying family is now done more than ever. We need a place to retreat, so turn your home into a sanctuary.

7. Paint it. Painting old, dingy walls and trim with a fresh coat and a new color can be the most effective way to make a big, yet inexpensive change and improvement to a room.

8. Make it your own. Do what you like, after all this is your home! Make your home reflect what is important to you, such as your hobbies, talents, travels and special interests.

9. Make it work ... beauty and brains. By choice or necessity, more and more workers are doing at least some of their job from home. Upgrading the home office can be an affordable project, with immediate payoff and long-term appeal. The home office should support your creativity and be comfortable, reflective of you, organized and filled with things that give you inspiration.

10. Don't take your home too seriously. Add some fun into every room. Don't be afraid to take risks and don't stick to the predictable. Search for ways to tweak the traditional - add a piece of whimsical art, a fun accessory or a bold color to the mix of your home. Display photos that make you laugh, or hang that special drawing from your preschooler.