When you look at decorator magazines, what do you see? Rooms upon rooms that are bold, colorful, sometimes even a bit unusual, but perfectly balanced in drama and scale, color and shape. So how do they do it? By ditching many of the traditional rules in favor of more adventurous design. The key is balance. Select your dramatic opportunities carefully and provide traditional elements to set it off beautifully.

First things first. Consider replacing worn out wall-to-wall carpeting and giving your rooms a fresh coat of paint. It is difficult to work with any room, despite the style, if the foundation is a major detraction. Once your floor and walls are in top shape, it's time to add drama.

Splurge on a focal point. Every room needs one important point around which to gather furnishings and what you choose depends on how the room is used. A place to sink in with a good book? Try a fabulous mantle to frame the fireplace. Purely entertainment? An antique armoire will conceal the TV and provide plenty of focus.

Architectural elements offer dramatic flair. Crown molding and chair rails in the living room or dining room are great choices, while bright white wainscoting looks fresh in the bathroom. For the more daring, exposed faux beams add rustic appeal to an otherwise plain kitchen or family room ceiling. Or, consider adding a pair of columns to divide a room or add structure to an entryway.

Grand design, small price. Architectural salvage is a great place to find truly unique pieces with the warm patina of age. Iron gates are an especially flexible element; use as a headboard or a pot rack. A worn gate can even gain new life as a unique coffee table; a fresh coat of paint, table legs and a glass top are all that's needed. Smaller pieces make fabulous wall art that's completely unexpected; spark your imagination with chunks of tin ceiling, antique tiles and other decorative pieces.

If at all possible, move your furniture away from the walls. Although this may seem counter intuitive to the decorating lessons you've been taught, "floating" furniture, especially big pieces like sofas, will help move the emphasis to the center of the room, where it should be. And if you can angle pieces in the room, so much the better.

Go for the unexpected. Instead of the usual loveseat, team a sofa with a pair of matching, fabric covered chairs. Chairs are more versatile and can be rearranged in a variety of ways that add dynamism to a room. An upholstered ottoman, situated as the "coffee table", gives a warm, luxe look.

Pick your battles. Granite and solid surface counter tops are beautiful but carry a hefty price tag. Instead, go with a basic laminate counter top and use tiles to design a custom backsplash that looks every bit as rich as pricier solutions.

Look for opportunities to channel flow and movement. Staggering the height of wall cabinets in the kitchen is especially effective - you can get a custom, designer look and still use stock cabinetry. If you are unsure how to arrange yours, check kitchen design magazines for spaces of a similar shape and mimic it.

Avoid the middle road; short or long makes a stronger statement. Go for window treatments that either just adorn the top of the windows (like a valance or swag) or flow all the way to the floor (like drapes). Either way, you are sure to have a more designer look than the typical curtains.

At all costs, avoid fussiness and clutter. Use larger pieces and fewer of them to create a bold space where the furniture feels strongly rooted. If you have a collection of accessories, group them all in one area, rather than spreading them out and diluting their impact.

Get creative with empty space. Position a large, live plant in an empty corner and add a spotlight that shines through the leaves. This will not only fill in the bare spot, it will add light, texture and drama to the walls surrounding it. Try one of the varieties of indoor palms or bamboo for a striking leaf pattern.

Don't be afraid to try oversized art or prints. A small picture often looks lost on a wall, especially when placed near a large piece of furniture. If you do decide to go small, hang your framed pieces in related groupings; try stacks of three or squares of four for a strong statement. Likewise, don't feel that you have to have something on every wall. A visual break is often needed and helps avoid a cluttered look.

Avoid lots of open bookcases. While they are usually beautifully made, rarely do they look attractive unless filled with antique leather-bound volumes!