Ever consider applying a theme to your home's décor? Do you know for certain if your theme will blend with the style your home currently has? Is your style traditional, eclectic or country? Do you know the difference between theme decorating and a style of decorating?

Actually, they are two separate issues. A personal style defines you and is based on your interests and lifestyle. Your style should be decided upon before choosing structural details such as flooring, wall treatments or furniture. A theme is a trend, fad, or re-created environment. It can and should evoke strong emotions, like when you've traveled to another part of the world and were so inspired by it that you wanted your home to reflect that.

"Your home should reflect your interests, hobbies, and lifestyle," says Barbara Hudson, a designer and owner of A Woman of Design.

Giving thought to what you want your home to be used for, besides eating and sleeping, would help in choosing a decorating style or theme. Is it a place to relax? A place to revive, recharge and get inspired? Do you use it mostly for entertaining friends and family? Once you've decided its function, now decide on what style you already have. Or, if you'd like to create a new one, you could start by gathering photos of your favorite room designs from magazines.

Perhaps you connect to the rustic look, which uses natural materials to achieve the impression of bringing the outside inside. Textiles have a handmade look. Accessories mimic animals or flora of the great outdoors. Furniture is comfortable and user friendly.

Then there is country charm, which is sunny, casual and heart-warming. Gingham and floral cottons, distressed and painted woods, ruffles, plump cushions and sofas, and furniture of pine and oak are hallmarks of this style.

A traditional style is defined by a classic, elegant and formal look. Comprised of dark polished woods, curves, and carvings in deep, rich color. A traditional style typically follows a particular period such as Regency, Tudor, or French provincial.

Contemporary style lends a modern look to a room with clean lines, simple contours and bold colors as primary features. Glass, leather, stone and metal are typical components of uncomplicated pieces.

Or maybe you've got an eclectic flair. An eclectic decorating style mixes elements from other decorating styles. More than likely, you're an impulse buyer and pick up furniture and accessories when and if they speak to you.

"The thing about an eclectic style is that it doesn't date you," says Barbara. "You can weave family pictures and hobby interests into this tapestry and never feel stale."

"However, my favorite category of style is called transitional," Barbara adds. "Simply defined, it is tweaking your own classic style by changing the fabric, accessories, or wall color for a fresh, new look. Let's say you have a traditional style in your home and you've suddenly developed a love for all things British Colonial after a trip to the Caribbean. Instead of buying all new bamboo and teak furniture you could simply update the colors of the room in a few choice ways to capture that theme without changing the style."

When choosing a theme in decorating you are recreating an environment that evokes strong feelings. Perhaps you're an avid gardener and you are happy when surrounded by all things floral. Or, you like happy reminders of your favorite activity, such as sailing.

Most people will eagerly decorate a room with a theme, but have you considered theme decorating the entire house? Wayne and Carolyn Davis, of St. Mary's County, are in love with the Southwest region of the country and have recreated that look in their home.

"We adopted the Southwest theme after vacationing out there," Wayne says. "Everything is so quiet and the big sky is unspoiled by street lights at night. I love the outdoors and that's the kind of lifestyle we find in the Southwest."

"So we decided to go with that theme throughout the whole house because it pulls everything together, one room flows into the other," Carolyn adds. "Like using the same colors unifies, a theme makes it all come together. When I visit a house that has different themes in every room I don't feel relaxed. Wayne and I are very busy and having a relaxing environment is important to us. To us a Southwest theme is a comfortable feeling, not fussy. It is also easy living. If the grand kids are messy, the leather furniture and tile or wood floors are easy to clean up."

Once you've decided what the function of your home or room is going to be and you've defined your style and settled on a theme, here is a last bit of advice to consider before calling the remodeling crew. Start with a room makeover in your theme to test it.

Barbara suggests, "Themes are in fashion quickly and out of fashion quickly. That's the problem with 'theme' decorating; it tends to be trendy and short-lived. My advice in general regarding home decoration is to remember that design work is typically done in layers. When you begin with flooring and furnishings, kitchen cabinets or anything else that is a substantial portion of the budget, be careful!"

Instead of going all-out, Barbara said, "Find a compromise that is more neutral and classic. The next layer, which includes paint, can be a bit more exciting. Remember good form and good scale in choosing furnishings, they should be substantial and long lasting. When it's time for the accessories- the last layer of design can be trendy and exciting- the frosting on the cake. Five years later if you grow weary of palm trees and animal prints, or whatever was 'in,' those items can be replaced with a fresh look at a fraction of the cost of replacing sofas and chairs."

If you're not deterred, here are some guidelines to follow. First, choose a color scheme. Most themes have colors that are traditional for that style. For example, Asian decorating styles often use red, black and dark blue colors, while tropical decorating styles are usually green, orange and aqua colors.

Once you choose a color scheme, your next decision should be for an inspiration piece such as a piece of furniture, rug or artwork. Don't forget to add accessories to your shopping list as they compliment and complete the theme.

Next, consider if the room you're decorating in a theme is connected to another. Is the kitchen openly attached to the living or dining room? If so, you should carry the theme throughout the two rooms. Private areas, like the bedroom or bathroom, are more for you and should reflect you.

Finally, take some time to relax and enjoy the new room before you start decorating the next room in your house. After all, you've done all that hard work in order to take pleasure in your home.