Decorating a home is a matter of taste and purpose. Many choose to decorate to enhance their living space and give their home a fresh look that reflects their personal tastes. Others choose to decorate in the hope that it will make their property more appealing to potential buyers, or even add to its value.

Whatever your reasons here are some useful tips for each aspect of home decoration.

Tips and hints for design

• Seek inspiration.If you`re struggling for ideas have a look around a local showroom or tear pictures of colours, accessories and furniture from magazines. Also think about the purpose and tone of the room – is it for relaxing in, entertaining in, work ing in or cooking and dining in?

• Create a focal point. Every room needs an eye-catching feature, even if it`s just a plasma TV. If your living room has a fireplace that`s ideal, or maybe it`s a window with a great view. Whatever the focal point make the most of it.

• Add light . Glass tables and mirrors can reflect light around a room, creating a feeling of space.

• Use an accent colour. Add energy to your room by using a vibrant colour as a highlight – but don`t go overboard as it will kill the effect.

Tips and hints for painting and interior decorating

• Test colours first. Don`t rely on paint chips in stores as a colour may look different in the light of your home. If in doubt choose a couple of shades and use a sheet of white paper to isolate your choice without it being affected by other shades. Remember that paints often look different when dry so try them on different walls to check the effect.

• Don`t be afraid to experiment with colour. Start with accessories and move on to paintwork and wall coverings when you`re more confident and sure of your style.

• Hang artwork. Not only do pictures give a room warmth, the right artwork can create a striking first impression.

• Use lighting to set the mood. Replace dated shades and mix ambient lighting, such as up-lighters, lamps and candles with function lighting (ceiling lights, wall lights).

• Use texture. Layers and textures, such as suede, leather, velvet or silk, can give a room warmth and make it feel much more luxurious.

Tips and hints for wallpaper

• Have a test run. Why not buy a single roll and then tape a strip to your walls as a tester?

• Think about the size of the room. A small print may be lost in a large room, likewise a bold print can overpower a small, cosy room. If you use the room a lot, an oversized print can wear out its welcome much quicker than you`d intended.

• Use lining paper. If your walls are uneven or cracked, lining paper can help to smooth out or disguise the imperfections.

• Buy rolls from the same batch. Remember that it`s best to overestimate than buy from different batches.

How to choose the right decorator

• Seek recommendations. Ask friends and family for=2 0recommendations – word of mouth tends to be a good measure.

• Consult Trading Standards. They usually have a list of approved tradesman, and may also be able to warn you off disreputable companies.

• Set a budget. Ensure the decorator can work comfortably within your budget.

• Define your style. Talk through what you want to achieve in a room and make sure they`re willing to meet your needs.

• Discuss timeframes. How quickly can they complete the task?

According to Halifax home insurance, more than 1.7million homes in the UK put up with an unfinished piece of DIY for more than two years so don`t take on a home decorating and design project that`s too complicated. Whether you choose to hire a professional or do it yourself, ensure you have suitable home insurance in place, just in case.