With the economy being what it is today it’s not really prudent to make purchases that may not be ideally suited for what your end goal in decorating may be without knowing in advance they will work without reservation. If you have any hesitation about design styles, techniques, colors, or textures you might want to consult some reference materials about basic design principals before you plunk down several hundred dollars on a set of silk draperies when in fact a pair of 60 linen sheers might have worked better. So, here’s a reading list that you might want to pick up in advance of any big ticket purchases. New Decorating Book (Better Homes & Gardens and Paula Marhcall) includes gorgeous photographs of featured rooms so you can see how colors work together rather than just imagining them. Includes topics on how to achieve today’s newest decorating stylesfresher, more personal, and more eclectic than everwithout losing sight of your budget.The Complete Home Decorating Idea Book: Thousands of Ideas for Windows, Walls, Ceilings and Floors (Kathleen S. Stoehr) focuses on vertical and horizontal surfaces by examining not only windows, walls and floors but also celebrates the fifth wall ceilings! Readers will discover the clever possibilities for treating surfaces of all kinds with paint, wallpaper, tile, stone, fabric and more. The Color Scheme Bible: Inspirational Palettes for Designing Home Interiors (Anna Starmer) is considered a practical guide to using color successfully. It is an inspiring reference for those who want to take advantage of different colors without clashing and contains 150 color scheme ideas for home decorators and interior designers. Topics covered include how color creates ambiance and atmosphere; using color to give a small room the illusion of space and depth ; how to create the feeling of warmth and light with color; and distinctive color schemes inspired by nature, art, travel and even a favorite possession.Decorating Without Fear (Sharon Hanby-Robie) is the how-to book that will allow even the least gifted person to create a perfect home environment. The book takes the fear out of decorating and allows readers to achieve a beautiful home that is right for them. It addresses the big questions to determine what type of environment best fits your personality through a trademarked color test and provides step-by-step instructions that will allow readers to achieve just that.Of course there are a lot more resources out there these are but a few to get you started. If you believe in the adage that information is power, then power yourself with as much knowledge as you can before you start tapping into the pocketbook and possibly make costly mistakes when it comes to designing your dream space.