That's a big rule with redecorating, Timbrook said. Homeowners should feel comfortable making mistakes and starting over. It's not a process that has to happen overnight. Homeowners, however, can get intimidated because they can't picture the final look. To get an idea of style and color scheme, Christy Peterson created the Color Cafe, a Web site that offers virtual makeovers.
Users send a picture of a room and provide design or improvement information.
The site software carries out the choices, and the new room can be seen in about a week. A dab of color Color is the No. 1 way to change any room or look, Peterson said. It can also be the least expensive. A bucket of paint goes a long way. Sometimes it might be the only change needed.