Undertaking any kind of interior design project or DIY makeover at home can be an incredibly exciting time as there are so many ways you can change up your space.
One of the easiest and most effective ways to make a difference in your home is to add a splash of colour with some paint.
But picking the perfect shade can be a real challenge, as expert Tash Bradley knows only too well.
Thankfully the colour psychologist and director of interiors at Lick has shared her top tips for how to work out which paint will be right in your room, and she claims there are five things you need to consider to make the decision.
Speaking to The Mirror, she explained the importance of considering your partner or family's thoughts on colour and not just picking something you like.
She said: "Firstly you need to have a really good think about who are you designing for, so who lives in the home? Is it just you or are you a young family or is it you and your spouse? I think it's really important that you take into account everyone that lives in the home because people have different styles and it's quite nice to make sure that the home works for everyone and that it's a really comfortable place to live.
"Once you've worked out who lives there, it's important to work out what the 'fixed elements' in the room are. For instance, is your floor staying, do you have a sofa that you've inherited that you can't get rid of, what's your kitchen countertop like etc.
"These are things in the room that are not going to change and they play a huge factor in the colours you can choose for the walls, so think about what's staying in the room."
Next Tash says you have to work out what you do and don't like about the room you are painting.
"I know that's a funny question, but you've bought this house or you're redecorating this room for a reason. Is it that you love the fact that the room has really big windows and it's really really light? Is it because of styles changed? Is it because you've just moved in? Or is it you just want a fresh start.
"It's very easy to work out what you don't like, you might not like the fact that it's got this horrible wooden floor and you hate it because it's really dark and you want it to be light - but we can paint it.
"Or you might love the fact that it's a really beautiful light room and it looks out into the garden. Do we then paint that lovely window going out in the green to pull the garden in? Get thinking about all these lovely things."
The painting pro's two final tips are all to do with figuring out your own personal style, as this will also have an impact on your colour choices and the mood you want to create in the space.
"This is a really important one when it comes to choosing colours," she warns. "Are you drawn to a more traditional style where you might like timeless earthy colours but then white woodwork or are you loving more contemporary, with neutral walls and bright furniture and artwork?
"I think finding your style and what you're drawn to is a really good starting point. And you can do that on Pinterest, looking through magazines. This is where I try and encourage clients to start building a physical mood board of fabrics and colours.
"And then the last one just comes to the feeling and the mood you want the rooms to have, you know do you want it to feel super welcoming and cosy and like soft and relaxing? Or do you want it to feel fresh and a bit more energising and a bit more playful?
"Some people love and light kitchen with bright cabinets that has a bit of fun to it and then have a really calm and relaxing bedroom.
"All of these things are great to think about."
Tash adds: "Try not to get colour paralysis, where basically you're faced with too much choice because we're bombarded with so many options.
"It's really important you finetune what you love and don't love."
Do you have a DIY tip to share? We want to hear all about it. Email courtney.pochin@mirror.co.uk
