Most individuals have much more creativity than they realize. Those who are resourceful prefer DIY decor in their home and daily living.

DIY decor takes a little planning to accomplish the goals that result in successful home design.

If you plan to design the exterior of your home, you will need a computer-aided design (CAD)software application unless you know how to create blueprints.

Start plans for exterior home design with your personal style preferences and local municipal regulations that may determine the proportionate size of the home to the property.

Using today's CAD software is the best way to have a visualization of what your plans will look like before home design is complete. CAD is user-friendly for home use so it is helpful for interior decor and exterior.

HOW TO DESIGN YOUR OWN HOME

There are several ways you can design your own home. These include:

1. Choose an interior and exterior design that coordinates inside and out

2. Add personal touches to home design that gives it a signature style

3. Study today's most desirable conveniences

4. Choose a home decor color scheme you can vary periodically

5. Consider home furnishings and accessories as part of home design

Choose Interior and Exterior Designs that Coordinate

In the art of Feng Shui, balance is the main feature of home decor. The basic principle of balance applies when designing your home's exterior and interior.

For example. if the exterior design is large and imposing, contrast the interior design for comfortable balance. Similarly, if the exterior of the home design is relatively small in size, a more open, airy interior gives occupants the feeling of additional freedom and space.

ADD PERSONAL TOUCHES TO HOME DESIGN

Your home is your personal zone. As such, adding personal touches to the interior and exterior becomes your signature style.

If you like a rustic look, add shutters to exterior windows or sculptured foundation plantings that provide a finished appeal. A cupola on the roof is a whimsical addition that speaks volumes of your personal style. This is also true of weather vanes and decorative exterior lighting.

For interior DIY home decor and design, you may wish to create a stylish modern, minimalist look with the addition of recessed or decorative overhead lighting.

Floors can be designed for easy maintenance with today's laminated woods and faux stone tiles in a variety of colors.

Let your inner artist work wonders with painted walls. For example, a popular look for painted walls is to break up a room with contrasting color paint on a single wall. This is a way to give a room "depth."

CONSIDER HOME FURNISHINGS AND ACCESSORIES AS PART OF HOME DESIGN

Furnishings and accessories indoors and out are all part of DIY home design. To give your outdoors a rustic appeal, use a laser engraving machine for wood embellishments like the mailbox post or a family crest for the interior wall.

STUDY TODAY'S MOST DESIRABLE CONVENIENCES

One element of DIY Decor and how to design your own home is to coordinate your busy schedule with conveniences that save time and also add a hi-tech look to your home. These conveniences may include a built-in TV and entertainment center that saves floor space in a living or recreation room.

Every homeowner loves a fireplace. Today, these are freestanding or built-in and make for a cozy, warming convenience.

In the kitchen and bathroom, the variety of modern conveniences range from "touch" faucets, multiple shower head water sprays to whole kitchen counters that hide a coffee maker, a laptop computer, a blender/mixer and toaster.

If you are a gadget lover, the best sources for today's most desirable conveniences are local lighting, appliance and kitchen furnishing store you can find online or locally.

CHOOSE A HOME DECOR COLOR SCHEME YOU CAN VARY PERIODICALLY

To stay within budget, choose a color scheme that allows for variations. For example, if white is the dominant color, there are dramatic blacks, teals, corals and reds you can change in accessories like pillows, rugs and lamps.