A guide to room-decorating ideas

Interior design is anything but boring. Be your own home decorator by painting furniture to match a shabby chic style. Use bright accent walls to highlight your kitchen and home. Play pretend and explore your creative side in a themed bathroom, or relax and work in an antique office. The right accessories and accent pieces are what bring a room to life. This is a guide to room-decorating ideas.

The black room

Black doesn't have to be scary when it comes to interior design. Use black in modern styles by pairing it with bright curtains and an accent wall. Living spaces can have a darker feel to them without painting the walls black. Instead, use a modern colour such as red, white, or pale brown as the wall colour, and buy or paint your furniture black. For accent pieces, try adding some canvassed art, animal print chairs or pillows. Try using light fixtures, such as faux candelabra, twine light fixture, punched tin light fixture, or cloud light fixture.

Shabby chic bedroom

Shabby chic is a great way to re-use old furniture that you may have meant to bring to the dump. Antique furniture should be painted white or Tiffany blue, and distressed in the corners using sandpaper. Use plenty of patterns; floral, Damask, tulle, and don't be afraid to wallpaper an accent wall. Ornate mirrors and paintings should be hung, and fake flowers, teacups and antique books can be laid out on the counters in order to add to the ambiance. Chandeliers and pastel settees will make for a perfect accent.

Themed bathroom

Themed rooms aren't just for children. For those creative at heart, try theming one of the rooms in your house. Design your home bathroom in an "Alice in Wonderland" theme by using striped wallpaper, and by hanging ornate and embellished wall clocks upside down to give the appearance of falling. Accent pieces can be white rabbits, playing cards, and plastic pastries adorned on a fancy cake dish. Stay away from commercialised décor found in big box stores to avoid a cheesy feel.

Antique office

Paint the walls a deep red. This colour is complimentary when paired with original wood trim. Use thick, patterned curtains, such as stripes, and pair them with an antique or unique looking curtain rod for window décor. Cover the wall behind the desk with old bookshelves or shelving unit, and pile on those dictionary sets you bought on a whim to create the perfect book pattern. Add a double-sided desk, preferably antique, a leather chair, a tall plant and coordinating sofa, and you have an antique office. Add spice to the office by purchasing a fashioned typewriter, standing brass magnifying glass, bronze bust, or spinning globe.