Don't let the plethora of home design experts intimidate you. You can create a dream home yourself. It's really not all that frightening and in fact, it's rather fun.

In order to create your dream home, your first step is to have the dream. That is, you have to figure out what you want? Are you planning to create your dream home in your current house? If so, what needs to change? What colors do you like -- earth tones, pastels, dramatic colors? What styles appeal to you (and your family if that applies) -- country, traditional, Asian, contemporary, Southwest? Does your current home need more space in some rooms? Is it warm or cool enough? Is the furniture tired?

The next step is look at what others have done. You can do this in many ways. The reason there are so many home magazines is precisely because people are looking for ideas. Clip out the ideas that you like and want to try. Be sure to look at the buyer's guide to get contact information for the manufacturers.

Another fun way to get ideas is to go to home improvement shows. These feature many vendors who will have displays offering many ideas. There are often presentations on new ways to use specific elements. Home shows are easy and fun days out.

An even more fun way to get ideas is to go out and see actual homes. A lot of people love taking Sunday drives to visit open houses. They are not necessarily looking to buy a new home but they are looking for ideas to apply to their own spaces. Quite often real estate agents employ people to "stage" a property in its best light. steal their ideas and make your own home shine. Visit a home development to see what is new on the market.

As you determine what you want, you may decide that it is time to change to a new residence. Whether you want to improve your current space or buy or build a new home, it is important to have a clear picture of what you want. If you choose to hire a professional to do the work, show the professional exactly what you want. You will be more satisfied and the contractor or agent may be able to suggest tips to realize your dream at a lower cost.

By following these steps, you will have fun and ultimately end up with your own dream home, not someone else's. Enjoy the process of watching your dream come true.