Moving into a new place is always exciting, but when you're dealing with a blank slate the sheer number of options you have for filling it can be overwhelming. If you're sitting in your empty condo wondering how you should decorate it, you might be surprised to hear that the first thing you should do is fire up the computer. There are hundreds of blogs out there dedicated to interior design and decoration, and browsing them can help you find your preferred design style. Here are some popular ideas.

Contemporary

Many owners of condos have taken their design inspiration from the condo buildings themselves and gone with a minimalist look that emphasizes clean lines and open spaces. Utilizing the polished concrete of your underfloor, some modern metal and glass furniture, wall art in the Guggenheim style and accents in bold, solid colors like black, red, or orange can turn your new condo into one of the trendiest looking places in the building.

Retro

If the thought of hanging contemporary art with its minimalist pattern of squares and stripes, makes you feel cold, why not go for a warmer retro decorating scheme? Choose a period that excited you, such as the groovy 1970s, the refined Victorian era, or the warm, comforting look of the 30s and 40s. Use the internet and old magazine back issues to check out the popular colors, patterns, furniture and fixtures of your chosen era, and incorporate a couple of these antique shop finds into your condo.

Foreign

Even though you own local real estate, do you dream of living in an exotic foreign country, like China, Japan, Thailand, Mexico, or Italy? Well, you may not be able to afford the relocation, but you can bring a little bit of the foreign atmosphere in your home by mimicking popular cultural decorating styles from other countries. Even just a few paper screens, a zen garden, a jade dragon, a colorful rug, or a particular earth tone tile can give your condo some added zing.

Shabby Chic

One of the newest decorating trends is to make your place look like a comfy older cottage that's seen better days. You might use outdoor wicker furniture in a living room, paint and "weather" your new bureau, or check out some of the cottage country accents in the decor stores and second hand shops for inspiration