Most of us can't afford an interior decorator to accessorize or remodel our bedrooms, but we'd love to get that pulled-together, stylish look that makes professionally designed bedrooms so striking. Fortunately you can get that high-end designer style for a fraction of the cost by focusing on a few key elements in your room.

The bed is the largest piece of furniture in any bedroom and is the focal point, so you want to make sure it really pops. Decide what kind of statement you want it to make and don't be afraid to spend some of your decorating budget on a spectacular bedspread or comforter that embodies your decorating theme for the room. With photo-realistic custom bedding you can choose anything from tranquil oriental images to bold, modern graphics.

Your walls should be painted in colors that either compliment or contrast with the colors of your bedding. If you want a calmer, more relaxing feel, go with a color that is a fairly close match to the dominant color in your bedding so that you have an overall color palette that is monochromatic. If you want a more dynamic look, pull one of the less obvious accent colors out of your bedding and put it on the walls for maximum contrast. It will give you more impact and give the room a feeling of energy.

Choosing custom bedding can be overwhelming. Where do you begin when there are hundreds of images to choose from? Think about what you want the mood to be in your bedroom to be. Are you looking for something soothing and romantic? Then you may want to look at some of the tropical or Asian themed images that are gorgeous, relaxing pictures with soft colors. If you have your heart set on something modern and daring, you'll love the bold stripes and unusual contemporary patterns you can find.

The ultimate in custom bedding is having something that no one else has, but that doesn't have to mean hiring someone to hand-stitch a comforter for you. After all, what's the point of having someone sew a comforter for you by hand if no one can tell that it's different from any store-bought comforter? But a custom photo comforter that's clearly one-of-a-kind because it has been personalized just for you will truly be special.

When you choose a photo for your custom bedding, select a photo that you'll enjoy looking at every day for years to come. Landscapes and vacation photos are particularly nice; if you have a photo of a special place like the spot where you and your spouse first met or the church where you got married, these make wonderful images. Action shots are also nice, that perfect photo someone took when you were sailing through the air to make a jump shot would look awesome.

Also keep in mind that the photo should be sharp and clear and the color should be good. The image is going to be large, so you'll want it to be clear and colorful.

Pulling together a custom bedding look requires having all of the elements. The most luxurious, custom-made comforter in the world won't work if you don't have the coordinating accessories. Coordinating pillow shams and throw pillows will complete your ensemble beautifully and make your bedroom decor the envy of all your friends.