Tip: How to Start Your Makeover Projects

Good points!! I always want to just dive in head first, but you're right, the best is to take a step back and really think about everything first!

Yes you need to really know what bothers you about that room maybe it's just rearranging the furniture, or the paint on walls. And when I have artwork I place it on the floor of the area I want to place it and see if really works there. I had some on floor for 3 weeks and moved them around until I got it just right. Usually you have 30 days to return something ask and find out store policy. Maybe as much as you may like it ,doesn't work, so return it and look for something else. Rooms evolve don't rush it that way you get the room you want that makes you smile each time you go into it.

Don't be timid about asking for help, especially if it is a major project. Sometimes you'll overlook an important factor someone else sees right away. (That claw-footed tub you want is beautiful, but how will you get it up that narrow and steep stairwell)?

This is so true!!!! Especially when deciding to paint kitchen cupboards and the like...Live with it for a bit...See how you use it,you may be surprised. I at times have used a similar footprint piece of furniture, tape on the floor or even a cardboard box, to see if we could easily walk around things.

A certified kitchen designer came in and gave us a plan using her formula for a new maple veneer/ laminate kitchen. She put a stove near a doorway where guest kids run through. She had a breakfast nook facing the wall, at the minimum comfortable measurement, with a fridge beside it. Well kids grow up, and sometimes have wide shoulders. My gut said it was all wrong. I bought used solid oak cabinets, and installed them myself--handyman bailed. I waited a while to install counters...I used a cheapy melamine-covered pressboard in the interim. I tried a cardboard box island...

The designer was wrong. We couldn't walk by when the DW was open, the nook was tight (I used a table and moved the fridge to try her suggestions). We felt like kids being punished with our nose to the wall. It took longer, but we finished with a kitchen that suited our needs, cost less, no island and we have real wood cabinets...It was worth it! I shudder to think of the money we would have wasted.

And..............don't get me started on the times I changed my mind about colours, styles etc.

Thanks for sharing this post!