…”I was going to join Procrastinators Anonymous today, but I think I’ll do it tomorrow.”

Cute – yet, procrastination can be the number one home improvement enemy to getting that interior design project started or completed.

It’s is a behavior that effects almost everyone at one time or another.

It’s strange how this little critter feeds on itself. For example, if you need to write someone or make a phone call, you put it off until you feel guilty…then you feel guilty, so, its put it off even more…now you’re feeling even worse. The ironic part of this is when you finally do act on what needs to be done…you feel so much better and the consequences of putting it off are surprisingly mild.

So, why do we procrastinate? Here are some main reasons.

1. Fear – Usually a subtle shadow of emotion that breaks down into 2 categories:

Fear of failure. What if your interior design efforts don’t turn out the way you expected? What if you make a mistake? What if the color or furniture piece is wrong? And, so it goes. This kind of thinking will only sabotage some great design goals. True there is risk in design, but there is so much help available to get you going, it can only paralyze if you allow it.

Fear of Success may mean the requirement to perform consistently a certain way for continued benefit- and we just may not want to do that…

2. The task at hand may not be a priority. There may be something else that is “way more important”. This can be a legitimate reason for a season, but when does it become just an excuse?

3. Not Enough Information. Again a reasonable delay but at what point do we need to find the information to finish the task. Free information is dripping off the internet. This fantastic Ezine service is a good case in point. It’s loaded with valuable information from experts around the world containing most everything you need to know about interior design from A to Z.

4. Too Busy – Ha, ain’t it the truth – or is it?

5. Procrastination is Our Friend. We put fun stuff in its place. Who wouldn’t want to go out for coffee with a friend over laundry, ironing, painting a wall or closet organization? Doing what is fun is always more fun than doing what needs to be done.

6. Some one else will do it. OK this is a good reason to put it off. Because the truth is, you can recruit someone else to do it. Professional designers, organizers and custom laborers are all out there with a passion to help your interior design ideas come to life. If it’s a budget thing, the problem is not procrastination but cash flow.

7. Don’t Want to Do It – No one wants to do the disgusting (bathrooms) or dangerous (gutter cleaning) jobs. But, a clear understanding of what we will and won’t do clarifies the solution. Hire someone to do it for you!

8. Simple Laziness – I think I’ll take a nap.

Though every one of these 8 procrastination reasons are normal, the consequences to putting things off is the same – stress or a low grade dissatisfaction with the way your home looks and feels because it is simply, not you.

Try not to take the path of procrastination, you will be much happier at home if you work through the ambivalence and start that home interior project today!

Many a homeowner spends thousands of dollars on a home remodel only to find out that in reality it has not changed the value to their house. Unless the remodeling project is designed to fix a structural problem or flaw it is often unlikely that the homeowner will make a profit aside from the pleasure in having the house enhanced to fit their liking.

Most of the time projects such as a kitchen, bathroom, window or deck remodel have shown the greatest return of value. If cost recovery is an important consideration then homeowners should think about their remodel from the perspective of a potential buyer.

If you are a first time home buyer looking to enhance your house and then move to a bigger home, or someone who is considering downsizing from a single family to a smaller condo or apartment here are three things to consider when remodeling your home.

1. Location
A common mistake among homeowners is to improve their house more than that of the neighborhood it is located in. While the more improved house might possibly receive more interest than others in the area marketed it is unlikely to command a premium well above the average selling price of homes in the neighborhood. A little known fact is that market price is held in check by the lowest-priced homes in your neighborhood and not the other way around.

The physical geographic location of your home will also have an impact on which projects will have the quickest or greatest payback. The cost of a swimming pool makes it difficult to recover the cost of installation. Some times, it can even reduce the overall value of a house. However, if you live in the southeast or southwest of the United States, a swimming pool can be a valuable addition to a home especially during the hot summer months.

2. Time
While you may not be planning on moving houses immediately after a remodel, time does impact the ability of a remodel to increase a houses value. Structural or design improvements such as an addition or completed basement will add value for a longer period of time than updates to a kitchen or bathroom or even technological improvements such as a new furnace or air conditioning system.

Knocking out a dining room wall and opening up the space for both cooking and entertaining might give you the kitchen of your dreams but this remodel does not increase the square footage of your home. Likewise a kitchen overhaul with new glass tiles and an island space might bring you much enjoyment but following whatever the newest trend is risky given that the trend might be obsolete when you choose to sell.

The water purifying system that you spent $1500 on might be an eco-friendly upgrade that you think is significant but it will typically not bring any added value to a potential buyer and also runs the risk of not being the latest and greatest a few years after installation.

3. Consider the cost – and the return of your investment
Did you know that there are several sources that can give you insight into the expected payback for home improvement projects? Realtor magazine publishes an annual “Cost vs. Value” report that compares the cost of common remodeling projects and shows the payback that homeowners can expect. The report for 2009 can be found at: http://www.realtor.org/rmohome_and_design/Articles/1001_costvsvalue_2009

Remodeling magazine publishes a yearly report that compares the national and regional averages for 33 popular remodeling projects. To look at the current 2009-2010 report click on http://www.remodeling.hw.net/2009/costvsvalue/national.aspx
Another tip to consider is that when contemplating two equally useful changes, homeowners should research local real estate guides to determine which of the projects will most likely pay for itself. Home prices are always reflected in the taste of the local property buyers and the price that the buyers are willing to pay for the given neighborhood.

As with most projects a little bit of homework will go a long way in helping you determine what will pay off and what will not. However it is always important to consider the value that you as the homeowner will receive from the remodel project over any cost recovery that comes with resale. Ultimately it is your home and your satisfaction that makes the remodel worthwhile.