• Space makes an interesting room theme.outer space image by Doug Stacey from Fotolia.com
  
  Space is a fascinating subject and can make an excellent decorating theme. Although the space theme is usually found in bedrooms, experiment with using it in the bathroom, kitchen or living room for an individual look that is easily customizable. You can take it as far as you'd like--from simply using a space-inspired palette to going all out and hanging planets from the ceiling. Turn to enhanced Hubble telescope images for real life inspiration, or take your cues from science fiction. Either way, you can make your room the next frontier.
  
  

Walls

• If the room is large, don't fear going with a navy blue or black paint. Smaller rooms can feel closed in if they're too dark, so paint the walls the color of the daytime sky, maybe even adding a few clouds. Use an eggshell-finish paint for a far-away, velvety look; flat paint will look too dull, and any gloss will detract from the "sky" feel.
  
  

Ceiling

• Paint the ceiling a deep navy blue, and add stars of some kind. If you have the budget, fiber-optic light kits are available that install from above and look like real stars in the ceiling; a more inexpensive option is to use wall decals or paint. Use liquid laundry detergent to paint the stars, and they become invisible in normal light but glow when exposed to a black light.
  
  

Furniture

• Keep the furniture futuristic. Stainless steel is best, but lacquered and enameled surfaces work as well. Use Sputnik lamps and clocks and rocket-inspired shapes to bring the look together. For bedrooms keep the bedding in line with the overall look. While kids may love rocket-themed sheets, adults may prefer to go with a simple star pattern or even plain black or navy blue.
  
  

Decor

• Hang a solar system model from the ceiling, and paint planets, comets and asteroids on the walls. If you are not very good with a paintbrush, stencils and decals are found at craft stores and home improvement stores that offer a simple shortcut to a custom mural. Lava lamps, clear inflatable furniture and other mid-century futuristic decor is common in space-themed rooms.
  
  

Lighting

• If you use the fiber-optic stars, they will provide a bit of ambient light, or opt for a space-themed ceiling fan with a globe light that resembles the moon. Bright lighting detracts from the overall look, so install a dimmer, and keep it turned down low. Rope lights around the ceiling can add a futuristic touch, and black lights and colored bulbs in multi-armed lamps add to the mood. Dim and multicolored lights make it difficult to read, so keep a small task lamp on an adjustable arm for that and similar purposes.