Are you not sure how to proceed when it comes to decorating your home? If so, then here are 10 decorating do’s and don’ts to help you get started.

1. Do be sure to draw out a floor plan design before you touch any room.
The floor plan of a room should include it’s dimensions and any windows, doors, and other special features. Take the floor plan with you when you go shopping. This way you can be sure anything you want to buy is going to fit. And lastly, remember to measure!

2. Don’t rush when planning your décor. Be sure to take your time and give some thought to what your really want.
You want to make sure that your personality is getting incorporated into the style of the room. It’s important to think things out and not just follow a whim, so you don’t regret things a short time later and end up back at the drawing board.

3. Do identify the focal point of the room. You want to have this figured out before you start placing items.
You can choose a variety of things to be the focal point, from a fireplace to a window to a piece of furniture like a wood tv stand.

4. Don’t arrange the room so any pathways are blocks. You want people to be able to move around the room with ease.
Maintain natural pathways in the room. Things should flow well so that people are comfortable and the room feels natural.

5. Do settle on a specific style and decorating theme for each room.
Remember, just because you have a country bedroom with oak bedroom furniture doesn’t mean your kitchen can’t be modern.

6. Don’t choose the color of the walls with only a paint chip.
Rather, narrow down your choices to one or two colors, purchase some sample sizes, and paint a few areas of the walls. Paint doesn’t not always look the same as a paint chip and is rather influenced by the light of the room. You might also find that although you like a certain color in small areas, it doesn’t really appeal to you when it’s painted on all the walls in the room.

7. Do try to use contrast in the room to add some character and interest.
By placing a contrasting piece of furniture against a wall, you can highlight that piece and make things more interesting. You need to remember that the room doesn’t all have to match. In fact, contrasting colors are a great way to decorate.

8. Don’t leave out the small details.
Once you get through the big items on your agenda, consider all those smaller aspects that can really add to the look of the room. Candles, shelves, baskets, flowers, figurines, and pieces of art can really pull a décor together. So don’t leave these items out of your decorating plan.

9. Do ignore other people’s opinions about your room.
If you like the room and it feels comfortable to you, then that is all that matters. Just because a guest doesn’t like something doesn’t necessarily mean that you should go ahead and change it. In the end, this is your home, and as long as it suits your personality and taste, that’s all that matters. So go ahead and get creative.

10. Don’t overcrowd your décor.
Remember, you don’t have to display every object or piece of artwork you’ve ever owned. After all, you don’t want your home to have a cluttered look. If you have more things to display than you have display space, then change your décor items every once in a while. Then you can display the items you love but not all at once.

Be sure to follow these 10 do’s and don’ts, as they will put you well on your way to creating a stylish home that fits you.