Maybe you're investing in some renovations before selling; or, you're just done staring at the same boring walls. If you're looking to fix something up, the first thing you want to do is make a list.

Breakdown all the rooms in the house: Kitchen, Living Room, Bathrooms, Bedrooms, Basement, what have you. What do you like the way it is? What needs a change? Can you apply what you already like to the rooms you want to fix up? Think about rooms that are cluttered vs. rooms that are sparse. 

For paint: maybe you want something more harmonious or more colourful. Maybe it's just been a while and the white's not so white. Has someone made a sharpie mural that they shouldn't have? Think about the furniture you're working with. Think about the other rooms in the house. Maybe you want this room to stand out or blend a little better with the rest of them. Do you need just a small change, or are you going for a full overhaul? Do you have any unfinished paint cans lying around? You might not have to spend on your spruce. Even for rooms that you're looking to brighten up, you might be able to add an accent wall or consider repainting just the trim.

Sometimes, you don't need any fundamental changes at all. Maybe you just need to rearrange the furniture that you do have. If you're looking to move big furniture, try sketching out a floor plan, or outlining the changes you might be making in painters tape. It'll save you the trouble of moving that bookshelf--and restocking all of its books--ten times. Trust me. I've been there.

Break it down:

• Floor Plan
• Floor (will a rug do where you were considering redoing the hardwood?)
• Furniture
• Paint
• Fixtures

Once you've taken the time to organize what you have to work with, all the things you thought you might need, you might not need after all. Either way, we're wishing you luck!