Redecorating your home can be an exciting process. Before you get started, consider a few expert tips to make sure you are happy with your new design. Keep these "dos" and "don'ts" in mind when you dive into a home decor revamp.

5 Essential Redecorating "Dos"

By making the most of your home decor, you can make a big impact on how you live each day.

1. Determine a Budget First

It can be easy to get caught up in gorgeous paint colors, sparkling new fixtures, and cozy furniture, but overspending can cause undue stress. Before you begin your home decor project, determine your budget. This will allow you to be mindful of decorating choices and not worry about going over.

2. Prioritize Spaces to Redecorate

Evaluate what areas of the home will benefit the most from making changes. If you have a dark, dreary foyer that you’ve dreamed of redecorating for years, it makes sense to focus on it. If you spend a lot of time in your kitchen or home office, those might be the best spaces to decorate first. Do you do a lot of entertaining? Sprucing up dining areas and guest rooms might top your list.

3. Consider Both Function and Aesthetics

Visual appeal and aesthetics are important, but also think about function when you redecorate. If you need furniture that incorporates hidden storage, put that into your design plan. If you need to reduce or increase the light in a certain room, mark that on your list so you can choose the right kind of window treatments for the space.

4. Think About Color Palettes Instead of Individual Colors

It’s best to think about colors in terms of schemes or palettes. Few rooms are decorated in single colors; even monochromatic themes have lighter and darker shades to add interest. Choose several main colors, then look for other hues that will work well with it. Complementary colors can create harmony, while using contrasting colors will add a bold, dramatic impact.

5. Visualize the Big Picture

Think about the big picture when planning home decor. Collect ideas for window treatments, paint, and more on a digital bulletin board. Consider how changes such as new paint colors, new furniture, and custom curtains will affect the spaces you’re working on. You can also use online design tools or apps (such as Glidden’s Room Visualizer or Behr’s Color Studio) to experiment with how different colors will look in your home.

5 Home Decor "Don’ts" to Avoid

There are also some things to avoid when refreshing your home. Stay away from these mistakes to make your decorating dreams come true.

1. Don’t Only Focus on Trendy Colors

Choose colors that reflect your personal tastes and sense of style. Color trends may come and go, but when you embrace colors that feel good to you, you won’t be stuck with a drab paint color or a zany multihued sofa because you got caught up in the current trends. Whether you like classic neutrals or bold bright colors, stick to your preferences over design fads. You can always add accents and small touches that bring in color trends.

2. Don’t Get Rid of All Your Existing Decorations

Repurposing old furniture or giving new homes to accent pieces can help you maximize your budget. Sort through existing items and decide which ones are worth replacing and which ones can be up-cycled or reused. Think outside the box — an unused bedroom mirror can be rehomed in an entryway to make it appear brighter and more spacious.

3. Don’t Start Buying Before You Plan

Planning your total design, including the layout and colors, is essential. Don’t get caught up in buying items before you’ve fully planned the space, or you might end up with clashing colors or furniture that is too big or small for the existing room.

4. Don’t Overlook Fit

The fit of all your decorating pieces is important to make sure everything flows. From the size of the furniture to the measurements of the curtains, check to make sure that all your items are correct for the space they’ll occupy. Furniture that is too large or curtains or rugs that are too small will make rooms unappealing. Take measurements and consider custom curtains to avoid this mistake.

5. Don’t Over Decorate

Do you want your home to be inviting, relaxing, welcoming, cozy, warm, refreshing, or even energizing and creative? Avoid creating spaces that are cluttered, stressful, or cramped. Be mindful in choosing your decorative pieces; add curtains, furniture, and accent pieces that enhance the room.