Have you recently bought a new home? Are you a long-time homeowner who just needs a change? Before you go about decorating or remodeling your home, you need to get inspired. A lot of homeowners just want to get things over with without having to live with in-progress projects for an extended amount of time. They dive head-first into decorating and remodeling without having a real plan or end goal. This usually leaves them feeling unsatisfied or finding themselves craving a change again a short time later. Here are a few steps you can take to prevent "decorator's remorse."

1. First, take a long, hard look at your house and decide what it is you like most about it. What do you dislike? This will help you figure out what you would like to accent and what you'd like to play down.

2. Think about what's important to you. Are you heavily influenced by the aesthetics of a room? Is comfort level more important to you? What about fabrics? Colors? Styles?

3. Make a wish list. Write down everything you would do to your home if money were no object. Then break that list up into smaller lists of what is feasible and what is not, and what has to be done now and what can wait. This will give you a good idea of where to start.

4. Make an inspiration board. Collect photos from magazines, websites, or friends' homes that inspire you. This step is easy to do now if you use Pinterest to your advantage! Create several boards for decorating ideas: kitchen, living room, outdoor spaces, etc. Don't do this all at one time. It's easy to go pin-crazy, but that will only confuse you further. Take your time. Don't rush it. If you need an example, take a look at our Pinterest page here.

5. Don't forget to consult your other half. Even if he or she says to do whatever you want, they more than likely have an opinion to share. So don't go painting the budoir walls bright red without asking first.

6. Decide what current items should stay or go. And before you throw out that tired old armchair, don't forget that it can be reupholstered. Likewise, other objects can be repurposed or upcycled. Think before you toss!

7. One more decision: do you want to knock it all out at once or decorate/remodel in stages? Weigh your options. Maybe you'd like to finish one room before you move on to the next. Maybe you want to paint all the rooms and then go back to the first room to continue the decorating process.

8. Plan, plan, plan! Write out your budget. Calculate the time needed and whether it needs to be limited or finished by a specific date. Make detailed to-do lists that can also be easily edited if you change your mind about any details in the future.

Now that you have a decorating plan, go for it! You'll find that things go much more smoothly and the headaches and indecision will be kept at a minimum.