Decorating a home can be harder than anticipated. Those of us who aren't interior designers, and who may therefore welcome a little help, might be interested in reading about these five common decor dilemmas - and their solutions.

DILEMMA #1: Decorating a Large Room 
        The Problem: I have a large room that lacks intimacy; it sometimes makes conversation difficult.

        The Solution: Large spaces are made for multiple uses, so use rugs, furniture or elements like columns to divide the room into zones serving different functions, like a reading area and conversation area. Create the appearance of a lower ceiling by installing molding a few feet below and painting it a darker shade than the walls; opt for warm, dark shade. Go big with furniture, artwork and patterns for proportionality's sake.

DILEMMA #2: Decorating a Small Room 
        The Problem: My small space feels claustrophobic. I'm worried it could also make my home harder to sell.

        The Solution: The further you can see into a space, the bigger it seems, so choose low-profile, open-design furniture - think exposed legs, armless chairs, glass-top tables, backless shelves. Match furniture to walls so it blends into the background. Use light hues on walls and paint the ceiling a lighter shade to "raise" it. Maximize light to banish shadows, and incorporate mirrors.

DILEMMA #3: Establishing a Focal Point 
        The Problem: I've heard a room will feel more inviting if furniture is arranged around a focal point. How do I establish this focal point?

        The Solution: If the room's architecture doesn't provide a natural focal point, like a fire place or picture window, you can create one by picking the room's largest feature, be it an armoire, sofa, TV, painting or even a rug, and emphasizing it by arranging your furniture around it, accenting it with lighting, accessorizing it, painting the wall behind it a different shade or wallpapering that wall.

DILEMMA #4: Incorporating Trends 
        The Problem: There are so many appealing home decorating ideas. How do I keep up with the latest styles, yet keep my budget in check?

        The Solution: Follow only one trend at a time and don't embrace it for the sake of being trendy - embrace it because it's in keeping with your personal style and it'll stay relevant to you that much longer. Incorporate trends only via those things that can be easily and inexpensively replaced: rugs, cushions, throws, lamps, artwork, picture frames and so on. For big-ticket items like your couch, stick to a timeless, classic look.

DILEMMA #5: Mixing Decor Styles 
        The Problem: I want to introduce a new look in my room but don't want it to look chaotic!

        The Solution: Consider incorporating a second decor style by introducing just one key item. If you want to mix it up more, be sure to keep your canvas (the room's walls) simple in terms of paint and wallpaper choice. Find a common denominator (color, pattern, shape, texture) to unite your distinctly styled pieces, and adhere closley to the principles of design: balance, proportion and scale, rhythm, and focal points.