When you are considering remodeling or redecorating your home you should create two lists before you go and see a designer or builder. You should have a Must Have list and a Maybe list. Creating these will help you to clearly outline a plan for the work you want done and it will help you prioritize. The lists will also help the designer to understand what is most important to you and where to start in terms of redecorating or remodeling.

The Must Have list should be made up of the things that are a necessity to your home or your décor scheme. If you are remodeling, your Must Have list should be made up of things like updating old piping or lighting, repairing cracked or water damaged walls, and updating wiring. Any remodel that makes your home safer or more efficient should always be put on the Must Have list.

When it comes to remodeling, the Maybe List should include things like: attractive light features, shelving, molding, furniture and built in sound systems. Items on the Maybe List are the ones that should be flexible, things that you and your designer can discuss and maybe compromises. The Maybe List is made up of the items that you can live without if your budget dries up.

Creating these lists for redecorating can be just as helpful. You can go from room to room listing what you want changes and then figure out what changes are most important. Something like painting may be on the Must Have list because it is easy, inexpensive and can illicit the most drastic change. Things like what paintings to hang and which lamp shades to replace are examples of what you might find on a Maybe List. Prioritizing will help you to accomplish what is most important within a budget.