Purchasing home accessories and wall décor can be an incredibly difficult task.  Some people can search for hours and find nothing that they like.  Some people like everything they see and have trouble making a decision.  But how do you know which accessories to purchase?  Here are some tips you can use. 

Purchase accessories that catch your eye.  It takes time to fight the right accessories for your home.  Nothing is more important in choosing accessories than finding items that you like, since you will have to live with them.  Start your search by just walking through home décor and accessory stores and take note of the items that catch your eye.  Eventually a pattern will emerge that makes your personal tastes in home accessories clear. 

Do not purchase accessories that you are not in love with.  It is so easy to purchase everything that matches, or to purchase whatever your friend or mother tells you to purchase.  Resist the pressure to purchase items that you don’t absolutely love.  It is rare that you will later fall in love with a home accessory that you didn’t love in the store. 

Purchase home décor items that fit with the style of your home.  If you are one of those people who likes everything they see, you can edit your home accessory choices by sticking to items that match the style of your home.  If you have an arts and crafts style home, then you should not purchase a shabby chic white-washed mirror. 

For example, if you are looking for accessories for your Italian style home, then you want to purchase a home accessory item like this Prato metal/glass candle lantern.  Looking at it, you can see the distinct Italian styling from the curved ironwork to the Italian pattern on the class that resembles stencil work on Venetian plaster.  This wall art lantern is 36” high X 11” wide and will look great hanging in the wall in your foyer, dining room, living room or bedroom. 

• November 2007