Ever wondered how those decorating experts on television manage to bring life and energy into even the simplest decorating schemes? "Fine for them," you may think. "After all, they have training and a huge budget to work with."

Don't despair. You can achieve an exciting new look regardless of your decorating skills or budget. Here's how!

When you're looking for decorating ideas to breathe new life into a monochromatic color palette, you can count on Furniture Plus for inspiration! Take for instance this beautiful eight-piece cherry set from our bedroom collection. Its clean lines and elegant, rich wood details make a statement all by themselves. Want to punch up the color? Try adding a few pillows and a throw from the Furniture Plus lineup of accessories in vivid turquoise and chocolate. Move your mouse over the image below to see the what we mean.

Remember, a neutral scheme doesn't have to be boring. Instead it can be your canvas for adding splashes of color to make your living room even more warm and inviting. Move your mouse over this modern four-piece sectional from Furniture Plus to see what happens when you toss a few pillows and a throw in sumptuous orange and lime green shades.

Your choice of furniture makes the biggest initial impact and serves as a backdrop for your own unique touches. Personal items like framed photos, a colorful vase filled with flowers, and a well-chosen lamp are perfect for any décor. It's best to stay away from over-doing your look with too many small items. When it comes to accessories, less is more. After all, clutter takes away from the beauty of your furniture, and who wants to dust all those knick-knacks?

Now it's your turn! Starting with your living room, decide which accessories are adding to the room's ambience and which are simply causing undue clutter. It may be difficult at first but try removing a few items to see if a cleaner style will help. Rearrange items and consider "borrowing" from another room for a whole new look without spending a dime. Then consider the magic you can sprinkle over the room's atmosphere with bold, exciting colors from Furniture Plus.

For more decorating hints, stop by Furniture Plus and take a look around our showroom. You're sure to find ideas that you can adapt to your own home, and our Guest Ambassadors are always willing to assist. Whether it's time for a whole new living room suite, a few accent tables, or some tastefully dramatic pillows and throws, Furniture Plus has experts on hand to help you "create the beautiful home you desire."