This is a decision that all of us have to make, for every room in our home, if we want our home to be beautiful. I'm only going to touch on this subject briefly this month, since most of us aren't starting this sort of total redecorating this time of year. This general information can help with our holiday decoration, also.

First you'll need to know what colors, shades, and varieties you really like. I would stress SHADES and VARIETIES for two reasons, First, 'green' is not really just green. There are hunter greens, forest greens, lime greens, sage greens, olive greens, etc... And just because you like one shade of green, does not mean you like all shades of green. You need to know that shades and tones that you like.

Second, not all shades and varieties co-ordinate well. You will not want to put lime green with forest green unless you like your decor to clash! I suggest going to the paint department of your hardware store or Wal-Mart. Spend some time going through all those little color cards they have, and take home what you like.

Now don't get too picky trying to pick out the exact square that you prefer - you'll go crazy! They really have too many choices. Just look for a general range you like, and take home the selections on either end of that range. They won't mind you taking them - they're free, and chances are that you'll eventually be buying some paint in your colors anyway!

Now that you know what colors you like, you're much more able to make your choices. Here's some guidelines:

1. Go through home magazines you like such as Victoria, Better Homes and Gardens, Southern Living, etc... Imagine yourself in the rooms you like. If you think you would feel comfortable there, THEN look at the colors that they use. You may be surprised by what appeals to you! You may love a color that you would have never thought of otherwise.

2. Unless you have unlimited time, money, and patience, don't limit yourself to only one set of choices. Why? Because if you set your heart on an unpopular or 'out-of-style' color or combination, it can be near to impossible to gather together an entire room of decor items that co-ordinate. Don't let this discourage you, though. Sometimes just a slight change or addition in accent colors can make things much easier to find.

3. Compare your colors with each other. You'll generally want to choose two or three colors - one or two main colors and one or two accent colors - and either white or ivory as a base. This doesn't mean that no other colors will be allowed, it just means that these are the colors you will focus on.

4. Green in the many leaf shades is generally easy to include in most decors - especially if you like florals. Almost any floral print out there has green leaves in it - just figure out which shades you like, and how much you want (main color or small accent)

5. What is the feel of your room to be? Bright colors will give a more cheery feel, while subdued tones will give a more relaxed feel. Light colors feel more casual, while dark colors are usually formal. Greens and blues make life feel more slowed down, but reds and yellows look more active and busy. White gives a fresh, new, spic-and-span feel, while ivory give a settled, antique feel.

6. Keep in mind the type of wood that you already have or will be getting. Look for examples in your home decorating magazines and see what colors the professionals use with that type of wood. You don't have to do what they do, but it may help you figure out what you like.

7. Also keep in mind that lighter colors make a room appear larger, while darker colors make it appear smaller.

Once have your color choices together, shop first for your more expensive and larger items, such as sofa or rugs or bedspread. These, if any, will be the more difficult items to find in your colors. If you can find these in your colors, you can find the rest.

Finally, keep those little color sample cards from the paint department in your purse. If you've got some of your items together, than get some cards that have exact color matches to what you already have. You'll be glad you have them, the first time you happen across something in your travels or errands!