There comes a moment in the lives of all home or apartment dwellers when they realize they simply MUST do something about their decor. That stained brown couch, battered chair, and tattered orange shag rugs from college days have got to go! But how do you get started on a decorating project for the home that will improve your interior environment as well as express your personality? The answers for home decorating inspiration can come from many sources. The key to a successful home redecorating is to have the patience and persistence to keep looking through these sources until the idea styles and colors are found. Some people have a natural knack for home decorating. They love browsing through decorating magazines. They make weekly dates to watch their favorite decorating shows on cable TV. They even enjoy going to decorator show houses to see the latest styles, from wallpaper and upholstery fabric to ingenious window treatments and beautiful floral rugs. The point is that any and all of these, and more, can inspire a home decorating project. One of the less expensive places to start looking for inspiration is with interior decorating magazines. Don't think you have to buy magazines new off the rack. These days many cities and towns have secondhand bookstores where people trade in their books and magazines. These used bookstores are great places to find decorating magazines at significantly discounted prices. Remember, the best home decorating styles have a classic air about them, so looking at outdated magazines can be just the ticket for choosing a room decor plan. Secondhand bookstores and public libraries are also excellent sources for books on interior decorating. If you feel you have a good handle on the basic concepts of good interior decorating, such as balance and harmony, you can focus in some of the more specialized techniques of decorating. These might include how to paint faux finishes, sew beautiful draperies or create your own reversible braided rugs. Whatever inspires you to begin a project is a good place to start. In addition to reading and looking at pictures for decorating ideas, several visual encounters can inspire decor plans. These include visiting model homes or designer show houses, looking at photographs of interior designs and watch decorating or home makeover shows on TV. It can be a little harder to retain the information from these sources, so be sure to take notes from on-site visits and record TV shows for frequent review. Finally, online browsing is another way to gather home decorating inspiration. You can search for various topics, visit specific interior decorating web sites, and even take an "online tour" of model homes and show houses. For instance, several paint manufacturers and home improvement stores now offer programs in which you can try out different color schemes for various rooms. Many of these sites offer email newsletters and other helpful notifications to keep on top of decorating trends. No matter what inspires your home decorating quest, don't forget to be a wise shopper when it comes time to start the project. Consult several sources for your home decorating materials before you purchase anything. Remember, you want to assemble the kind of comfortable, appealing home environment that you can live with for a long time - until you're ready to redecorate! Senior staff writer Sarah really enjoys writing about finding inspiration when decorating. And she says that if you are ready for your room to shine then lay natural flokati rugs or solid color rugs on your floor.