In this rough economy, more and more singles, couples, and families are renting instead of buying a home. In addition, more workers moving from one location to another in search of a new or better job. And according to the National Association of Home Builders, the trend is expected to continue.

Let's say that you are one of the new renters and you love decorating your home - lots of color and texture. But your new landlord is from the white-is-the-only-color-i'll-allow school of the real estate business. What do you do? Get out the laundry starch, of course!

Laundry starch is one of the secrets to putting fabric on your walls - vivid or subdued, floral or plaid fabric in all colors. And best of all, it doesn't damage the walls - thus pleasing the afore-mentioned landlord - and you can easing remove it - thus pleasing you. The method is simple and can be found in my article on hanging fabric on rental walls. And when you can afford a house - and you will, of course - you can read my DIY guide of budget home decorators - and paint your room whatever color you want!

I have spent the last couple of days research America's most popular decorating style. I have looked at four resources - and have gotten four different styles for answers. It seems that the answer differs for different designers, economic groups, or regions of the country. Having discovered no consensus answer from the experts, I decided to ask you, my readers. What style is most popular for you? Take my poll and let me know. For the winning style, I will give you a month's worth of useful advice about how to have it on a budget.

When you begin to choose colors for your latest decorating project, one place to start is your favorite patterned fabric that you love and want to feature in the room. But how do you decide which colors from the fabric design to use? Here is an easy formula you can use to help you decide:

• Walls and Carpet: For the walls and carpet, pick out the palest color in the pattern. This is usually a fairly soft and neutral color which will serve as a background for your design.
• Upholstery: Use the medium and more lively colors for the majority of the upholstery pieces.
• Accessories: Use the darkest colors for accents - pillows, area rugs or occasional chairs.

Use this formula for an easy way to design around any fabric. But although this formula produces a wonderful balance of color, feel free to break this rule to accommodate your own design taste. After all, it's your own space!

A new year is here! I, for one, am glad to see it despite the fact that it means adding another year to my now advanced age! But there is no doubt that this year will be challenging. As I think about the challenge, I am forecasting what I think will be "in" this year. Next year at this time, we will check to see if I am right. First, I think that budget will become even more important this year. As the cost of living increases, the amount of disposable income left to spend on decorating will be less. So budget decorating will become the decor style of choice. Second, I think that recycling everything including clothes, furniture, and decor will become more accepted and more necessary. The stigma of "hand-me-downs" will be removed as the value of reusing and recycling our resources becomes more important for the health of our planet and our budget. Third, I foresee warm colors becoming a bigger design statement. And that is because, fourth, it will become more important that our homes seem more cozy, warm, and, well, "homey." When our country is facing deep financial problems and there is anxiety about jobs, the future, and where we will fit in the bigger picture, home becomes a haven where we are protected from outside pressures. Warm colors give us a feeling of home, security, and family - an important attribute in times like these.

What will be "out" for the new year? Number one, by far, is ostentatious living. When so many people are suffering financial setbacks, flaunting money and possessions is in poor taste. So it would be a good idea to save the glitz, glitter and gold for another year. Second is cold and sterile colors and environments. They are sleek and clean, but can be unwelcoming - not the best atmosphere for the new year.

What do you predict for the new year? Let everybody know in my forum. I look forward to reading them!