Remodeling project must begin with plan, budget

DEAR GAIL: We want to redecorate our master bedroom and don't know where to start. Do we buy things as we see them or is there a specific order? -- Loren H.

DEAR LOREN: It's always best to start with a plan. Your plan needs to include what you're going to keep or buy, as well as what your budget is.

So what are you going to keep? Take a picture of each item and write the measurements of the piece right on the picture. Even though you may have had this piece for years, it's always best to have a picture of it with you when shopping. Sometimes you can forget the exact color and details, plus it will help your salesperson find other pieces for you.

Make a list of what you want to buy, and know how much you willing to spend on each piece. Assign that number to each item. Is the total within your budget? If not, make adjustments. I'd start by bringing down your accessory, plant and lighting numbers first.

Next, measure the room, both your floor space as well as your walls. Mark where the doors and windows are and how high the windows are above the floor. This is important if you'll be placing any furniture under them. Furniture always looks smaller in a 20,000-square-foot showroom than your 200-square-foot bedroom.

So what order do you buy them in? If you plan on doing the whole room at one time, it's best to coordinate every piece together before purchasing. This will ensure that you have the right sizes, color and theme and stay within your budget. But if you plan on redecorating your bedroom during the span of a couple months, here's a general order in which you should purchase your items.

You want to start with your most expensive items and those with a limited number of selections. Of course, every item can be custom made, but you have to decide if that is in your budget.

Mattress: Purchase your mattress before bedding and furniture. Are you considering going from a queen to a king? Do you want a high pillow top or something lower so you don't need a step stool to get in and out of your bed? Everyone has different preferences.

Furniture: Furniture is your investment and the functional pieces in your room. There is a lot to select from, but it is more limited than the other items you'll be purchasing. Before you head off shopping, mark on your floor plan where you'd like each item and the largest size it can be. By noting the largest size that will fit in that space, you know you can always go smaller. I know it sounds like common sense, but it's amazing how many people buy pieces that are too big.

If you will be using a TV armoire, know the size of your TV. And if you want to have upholstery pieces, you'll want to choose this fabric before selecting your bedding and windows. You're a bit more limited if you just select from the fabrics offered by the manufacturer. Some will allow you to use your own fabric on the piece and, of course, you can have it reupholstered. But again, consider if this is in your budget.

Bedding, paint and wallpaper: Purchase bedding before paint, but wallpaper before bedding and paint. You're unlimited on paint colors, but not on wallpaper and bedding. Wallpaper is more of an investment and not something you'll quickly change out.

Windows: Window treatments should be purchased after bedding because your bed is the focal point in the room. If you can't find window treatments in the store that you like, you can have simple drapery panels made to coordinate with your bedding that won't break your budget. Custom bedding is a much more expensive.

Artwork: Artwork is one of those items that can really come at different times depending on how important it is to you and how much you plan on spending. If your pieces will be investments, then purchase your artwork before your bedding and wallpaper as it will most likely set the color and theme in your room. Paint always comes after artwork as it acts as a backdrop. If you're looking at inexpensive pieces, I would do wallpaper, bedding, artwork and then paint.

Area rugs: Again, this is one of those tricky items to place in your purchasing order. How much of it are you going to see? Do you have wood floors and just want to be able to step on it when getting out of bed or is your room very large and it will be a focal point? Are you going to place it under your upholstery pieces? How much do you want to spend?

If you're going to see a lot of the rug and place it in your seating area, I'd start with the area rug. If you plan on purchasing a fairly expensive rug, I'd start with it before any of the other fabric items. If it's just going to be functional for under your bed, you can purchase it after your fabric items.

Accessories, lamps and plants: Save these for last. They are your least expensive purchases and ones you'll most likely change out over time.

There are many factors that can change the order you purchase your pieces, but I hope this gives you a general idea.

Gail Mayhugh, owner of GMJ Interiors, is a professional interior designer and author of a book on the subject. Questions may be sent by email to: gail@gmjinteriors.com. Or, mail to: 7380 S. Eastern Ave., No. 124-272, Las Vegas, NV 89123. Her Web address is: www.GMJinteriors.com.