When I was a kid (waaaaaay back before I earned my design stripes), my dad gave me a little pearl of wisdom that has become central to my low-cost, high-style approach to decorating, or what I like to call "quantum design."

He told me that to really appreciate anything to its fullest, you must first understand it thoroughly.

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Decide what you like and don't like, and define a function for each piece of furniture in your room.

Apply this rule of thumb to your decor and you're using quantum physics to save money on decorating.

If quantum physics doesn't seem so simple, let me use your stuff to explain:

Most of us are living in a space where the decor consists of things we call our stuff; material possessions that we can clearly see as tangible objects. Each item is made up of atoms, molecules, light and energy; each is organic, just like you.

What does this have to do with my couch an lamp, you ask? Well, because your stuff has the power to combine with your own energy force to create a feeling, or ambience -- a distinct mood.

Have you ever picked up a good vibe the moment you stepped into a room? That reaction is caused by the energy within you responding to the energy emitting from the stuff that exists in that room.

So in order to truly appreciate a decor item, you must understand that item thoroughly, from its function in your life down to its organic makeup.

The essence of quantum design theory is knowing that your walls, your rug, your artwork -- all of your possessions -- do give off energy, and each piece does its part to contribute to the mood in a room.

There is a simple way to put this quantum design theory into practice in your own home:

Why is that halogen lamp in your living room? What is that framed poster of Bluto from "Animal House" still doing hanging in your entryway? Most importantly, how does each piece make you feel?

I have decorated hundreds of homes for people and regardless of their budgets, most couldn't actually tell me that they had something in a room because they loved the way it made them feel.

In fact, I rarely find a person who can tell me exactly why a certain piece is in a room at all.

So, seriously, really look at your couch. It may seem silly, but how does it make you feel? What is it doing to contribute to the atmosphere of your home?

If you find you don't dig the energy your furniture is giving off, change it! Find a purpose for each piece beyond just being a part of your random collection of stuff.

Perhaps the shape of your couch sets the right tone but the color and pattern are off. A neutral slipcover with a subtle texture could make all the difference.

Maybe your end tables elicit fond memories of the grandmother who gave them to you when she moved to Florida last year. But maybe they are dated and project the wrong tone in your living room. Try repurposing them for your bedroom with a new faux finish.

The important thing is that you don't have to spend a fortune replacing everything that doesn't work for a room.

Decide what you like and don't like, and define a function for each piece. Once you really put your mind to understanding your furniture and its function, you will be amazed by how easily things fall into place. And it will be just as easy to find ways to repurpose your existing pieces.

Remember to make choices based on your response to the energy you feel. Whether it's a piece of art you bought on vacation or a hand-me-down couch, each item you add should be in harmony with the atmosphere you want to create in your home.

So that's quantum design in a nutshell. Go forth and decorate -- with purpose, energy, creativity and functionality.