It’s natural to be enthusiastic when decorating your home. But before you race ahead at full speed, stop and learn about these home design mistakes to avoid.

Tested your paint color on one wall.

The light in a room will change according to the time of day and the amount of light (from windows, skylights, and light fixtures). Brushing your paint sample in one area isn’t sufficient. Instead, go to the dollar store and buy a few sheets white poster board. Apply the paint to the poster boards. When it dries, hang them in different areas of the room, where the light differs. Look at these paint swatches at various times of the day and evening so you can see how it reacts to changing light.

Chose the bedroom color and then searched for bedding.

Your bedding choices can be somewhat limited, while the paint colors are not. Why struggle with finding a comforter, duvet, linens, and pillows to match the color on the wall, when you can more easily do it the other way around?

Bought furniture on a whim.

Buyer’s remorse probably begins in more furniture stores than anything else. Before you pull out your credit card, pull out your room measurements, to make sure the furniture is going to fit. It might also be helpful to have some photos of the room, to remind you of any existing furnishings that will need to fit in with your new stuff. Also bring color swatches to coordinate. And don’t be afraid to ask for fabric swatches to take home. After all, It’s a big investment.

Made big changes before moving in.

You buy a new home and you want it perfect when you move in. But be careful about doing too much. Live in the home for a while to determine if your pre-move decorating ideas will still make sense once you’re living there.

Succumbed to trend pressure.

Just because the magazines and blogs are telling you the latest trends in color, appliances, flooring, plumbing fixtures, and furnishings, doesn’t mean you have to follow. Choose according to your own tastes. Make your home a personal signature.

Bought artwork that matched the room.

The role of artwork is to reflect your style, not to fill a space. Look for art and accents that excite you. Then find the right place for them.

Guessed.

Whether it’s size, color, or style, don’t guess if it will work in your home. Bring photos of your rooms and specific spaces when you go shopping. And be sure you know the return policy before making the purchase. A little extra time with paint samples and fabric swatches could save you a lot of money and trouble.