Make a Plan
Whether you’re contemplating a simple paint job or a complete renovation, take the time to plan carefully and ensure that you really get what you want. If you’re changing colours, for example, bring home large swatches or paint chips or the proposed colour and live with them for a week or two in a variety of lighting situations. Remember that lighter colours typically make a room look larger, while more dramatic colours to make a spacious area more cozy.

Take Stock
If furniture seems to be the problem, look carefully at whether your existing pieces can be reupholstered, or whether it’s time for something new. A new sofa with reupholstered chairs can often make a huge difference to the look of your living room. Is the painting that you got from your grandmother five years ago still waiting to be framed? Take the time now to examine your wall decorations, and arrange to frame or re-frame any that add interest or have emotional significance. Remember that frames and matting should fit the scale of the room, and that photos and paintings naturally show up better on white or light wall colours.

Perhaps during your holiday get-togethers, you noticed that your home doesn’t really allow traffic to flow properly, or that the kitchen is not well laid-out. Make notes on what doesn’t work, and think about how you can change your layout to better suit the needs of your family.

Getting Professional Help
Sometimes it’s easy to know what you want to do with your home, but hard to get started. A professional designer can help you get the look you want, and help you stay within your timeline and your bedget. Besides bringing the look together, a professional designer can help you prioritize your wish list, obtain quotations, and make suggestions that may help you avoid costly mistakes. Most designers are also flexible, giving you the option to hire them on a small-scale basis, or to have them manage the entire project. They can also save you time and money by arranging to purchase your furniture, paint, wallcoverings, floor coverings, lighting and other design accessories. You deal with only one supplier, who will help you ensure that your choices work together.