You need more knowledge about function and flow when you want a smaller space. Things matter more. Is this going to be and stay for 1 or 2? Location, orientation and climate matter.

There are so many factors to purchasing a home that ease of decoration seems like it would be pretty low down on the list.

Souless new construction is often easy to decorate because it is like a blank canvass that you can plop most anything down in.

I concur that decorating small spaces take a lot more consideration and work.

The bigger the house, the more stuff you need, and the less easy it gets. A big suburban house in Houston takes larger scale furniture than a small apartment in New York City.

Write down your budget range for furnishings, assuming a 2-bedroom, 1-bath house with combined living and dining area. One higher budget, one lower. Then look at Ikea and Macy's web pages to get some ideas about what things cost. Here's a list of typical furnishings for a carpeted house:

Primary Bedroom: one queen bed with mattress and foundation, two nightstands, one bureau, one tall chest, two lamps, one large mirror, bedding, curtains.

Secondary Bedroom: one twin bed with mattress and foundation, one nightstand, one lamp, one bureau, one mirror, bedding, curtains.

Living/Dining: one sofa, two upholstered chairs, coffee table, end table, three lamps, tv and stand, table and four chairs, curtains.

Bathroom: shower curtain and rod, towel sets, two bath rugs, curtain.

Kitchen: there are many websites where you can buy basic, complete kitchen equipment sets for $100, $200, and way up. Curtains.

The floor. Small place, one floor throughout. It will make small look larger and open.

I hate to be a Negative Nancy, but I think you've got the tail wagging the dog here. Think about what you need in a home to be secure and content.

For example: You want your home to be built to last. You want wiring and plumbing up to code. You want it to be mold-free. You want it to be free of dry rot, termites, asbestos, and radon. You want the roof to be secure and under warranty. You want the windows to fit securely in their openings.

Other considerations: Maybe you want it to have good parking nearby. Maybe you want a garage. Or maybe you want a home near public transportation.

Maybe you care about local schools. Maybe you want a quiet neighborhood.

Maybe you love to garden. Maybe you prefer your landscaping to be in a local park.

Maybe you want two stories. Maybe you can't use stairs and want a single-story home.

Do you want a finished basement? What is the air circulation like?

Do low ceilings make you feel cozy, or claustrophobic?

What kind of storage space do you need?

Do you like an open-plan kitchen, or a kitchen that lets you hide the mess and/or keep the kids-dogs-cats out when you're cooking?

The best home is one that suits the way you want to live. Decoration is the icing; not the cake.