Guide to Accessorizing a Home

Dressers and Bookshelves

• Adding some attention to your dresser tops and bookshelves can make a difference in the appearance of these pieces of furniture. Creating a sense of symmetry and balance is one way to accessorize, according to decorator Nate Berkus, who discussed accessorizing a home on the Oprah Winfrey Show in 2006. Creating balance can be an appealing look, especially in a formal setting. Placing matching candlesticks or lamps on each end of a dresser top is a way to add symmetry. To alleviate a cluttered look, place lotions and makeup containers in pretty decorated containers, hiding the not-so-appealing containers.

Fireplace

• Fireplace mantles don't have to be the home for picture frames containing family portraits; mantles can hold other accessories, such as unusual trinket you purchased while traveling or candles. Avoid cluttering up the area around the fireplace as well as the mantle. Purchasing a pretty screen, shiny tools, a fireback or attractive andirons are examples of accessories that can spruce up a fireplace, according to the article "Boost Resale Value By Accessorizing Existing Home Features," featured in "Fox Valley Magazine," an Illinois publication.

Art Deco

• Art deco can make for out-of-the-ordinary home accessories and a different way of decorating is becoming more popular, according to the article "Accessorize with Art Deco," published in "Southern Living" magazine. Purchasing furniture, trinkets, rugs or pictures that have rich, vibrant colors, animal prints, curvy shapes and other retro-modern inspired items are just a few examples of art deco accessories.

Outdoor Areas

• It may be easy to forget about the outdoors when choosing household accessories, but making your outside space appealing can be just as important as indoor decorating. Freshening up your lawn and patio area can be inexpensive, according to Fox Valley Magazine. Changing cosmetic fixtures, placing planters in your windows, adding decorated pavers in your flower garden and installing a collapsible awning to shade your back porch are a few outdoor accessories.

Bedroom

• Bedrooms aren't typically visited by guests like other rooms in the house, such as the living room or den, but that doesn't mean you should overlook your bedroom when it comes to decorating. A bedroom should be utilized as a location where worries of the day dissipate, according to Good Housekeeping magazine. Accessorizing the room that matches your personal style is key, and adding accent pieces can set the tone. Colorful area rugs, decorative molding, stylish artwork and bold pillows and blankets are examples of bedroom accessories that can change a room's appearance for the good.