Still rocking the bedroom set you had as a teenager?  Getting tired of looking at the same you sofa you had in college?  It could be time to do some apartment decorating.

Knowing that you want to redecorate is one thing, but knowing where to start can be difficult.  Follow these steps to set your apartment decorating priorities and learn how to make a big impact — even on a limited decorating budget.

What are your decorating goals?
The key to setting your apartment decorating priorities is planning.  Before you go crazy making purchases, it’s best to consider exactly what you hope to get out of your apartment makeover so you can make choices that have a big impact on your day to day life.

To start the planning process, jot down your answers to the following questions:

• If you had an unlimited decorating budget, what would you do?
• Which furniture/art work/accessories do you want to get rid of?  Which do you want to keep?
• What’s your apartment decorating style?
• What’s your least favorite room in your apartment?
• Which room do you like most?
• In which room do you spend most of your time?

After answering these questions, your apartment decorating needs and wants should become clear. You can use this information to set a strategy to tackle the apartment decorating possibilities.

What do you have to work with?
In the course of jotting down ideas, you probably noticed that while you’d like to make some major changes, you probably also have decor that you’d like to keep as is.  So the next step in setting decorating priorities is to consider what you already have to work with.

Think about your current decor and do a quick evaluation.  If you love a certain furniture piece, great.  Keep it.  If you feel just “OK” about a certain piece of your decor, work it into your design plan for now.  And if you hate a certain piece, make replacing it a priority.  Complete this mental inventory of likes and dislikes for all of your furniture, artwork, and accessories.  You’ll likely find that you can work with many of your existing pieces.

Know your decorating budget
The kinds of changes you’ll be able to make with your decor depend heavily on the amount of moolah you’ve got on hand for apartment decorating, so the next step in setting your decorating priorities is to set a decorating budget.  Be realistic about what you can afford and you’ll make smart choices.

After you’ve decided what you’ve got to work with, it’s time to pick an apartment decorating strategy.

Strategy #1:  Decorate where it’ll mean the most
Which apartment decorating possibilities would mean the most to you?  Would having a relaxing bedroom help you sleep better?  Would sprucing up your child’s room send him over the moon?  Consider how apartment decorating could make a big emotional impact on you and your family.  If your heartstrings are making you lean towards a makeover in a certain room, use that feeling to set your decorating priorities.

Strategy #2:  Decorate to make a big impact
Another design strategy is to consider the room that makes the biggest impact on your apartment’s overall look and feel.  For many people, that room is often either the largest room in the apartment or the one where you spend the most time.  If one particular space jumps out at you, consider focusing your apartment decorating efforts in this area to get the most bang for your buck.

Strategy #3:  Decorate the room that needs the most help
If all else fails, think about the room in your apartment that needs the most help.  Is it the small, dingy bathroom?  Is it the disorganized kitchen?  If a certain room in your apartment drives you absolutely nuts, let it be the driving force behind your decorating priorities.

No matter which strategy you use to set apartment decorating priorities, each strategy forces you to focus your efforts.  A concentrated approach almost always makes a strong impact — even if you have to work with a small decorating budget.