We’ve all been faced with the same daunting challenge at one point in our lives: an empty room. No, this isn’t going to turn into a philosophical rant. I literally mean a bare room — nothing on the walls, no furniture, no rug, no nothing. Just a new home that needs a little love, and a whole lot of vision.

Decorating does not come to me naturally. I discovered my unfortunate predisposition when my parents agreed to let me redo my bedroom at age 13. And when I come home to visit I still have to stare at the eye-burning popsicle pink on the walls, and slump against my feather boa pillows.

Luckily, I’ve come up with a few remedies for my questionable taste — culminating in a foolproof guide for planning, executing, questioning, and re-executing an entire decor overhaul (on an ikea or less budget). I’m happy to share my tips & tricks with you, whether you need them or not, but I guarantee that none of them will ever lead you to paint a 30x15 bedroom itchy-eye pink again.