Having trouble getting started on your room?

Are you having trouble getting started on the redesign of your living room, kitchen, bedroom or bath? I recommend that you start with one item you love. In the living room start with a pillow, picture or piece of furniture and base everything around that. In the kitchen start with a rug, a dish towel, placemat or even a cookie jar or cannister set. In the bedroom start with bedding; in the bath the shower curtain.

As a general rule, start with the item with which you will have the least amount of choices. For example, don't lock yourself into a paint color and then try to find bedding or a shower curtain to match. It can be extremely frustrating to have your walls painted a certain shade of green and then find comforters or shower curtains with every other shade of green besides the one you need. It's easier to pick those items first and leave your paint color last. Even choose carpet or countertops before paint. Yes, most of the time carpet and countertops are fairly neutral, but there are tons of shades of taupe, beige or gray and they will sometimes clash with each other. This is true even if you are trying to keep everything neutral; all neutrals do not match one another. There are more paint choices than any other part of your design; and if you can't find the exact color you need most paint stores like Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams can match it for you. Hint: a paint store will typically do a better job matching than a big box store such as Lowe's or Home Depot. Just allow them time to match because it does take longer than having a gallon or quart mixed from a chip. They also have designers on staff who can help if you are struggling to choose a color.