You just decided to purchase your dream home. Now what? Whether you are flying solo, part of a newly married couple or one half of a duo who decided to simply live under the same roof, designing and decorating a home can be an overwhelming task.

Kitchens and

bathrooms

Bathrooms are very personal and can often be a key selling point for potential buyers. Kitchens remain the heart of the home. Here are some basic rules for picking finishes:

Go neutral, not trendy. This will help when it comes time to sell your home.

Purchase high-quality appliances. They will outlast inexpensive ones and also add value.

Consider mixing finishes, from pairing different types of tile to mixing woods.

Bedrooms and living rooms

Start with each person determining his or her own personal design style. This may mean walking the floors of local furniture stores, scoping out flea markets or ripping images from magazines for inspiration. The key is the home needs to appeal to all occupants of the space.

Nearly everyone's design style falls into one of these four categories: traditional, contemporary, modern and global. There are also subsections within these categories. After selecting your personal design category, narrow it down a bit more and define each person's style more specifically.

Then try these tips:

Select a signature piece. Each person should select one piece that defines his or her style. It can be an area rug with a big, bold graphic pattern, a fabulous piece of artwork or a gorgeous chandelier. Whatever piece you choose will serve as the anchor for the room and help fill in decor blanks. Selecting a signature piece that is special to each person helps ensure harmony and serves as the foundation to build a design palette.

Next, purchase your largest pieces before accessorizing. Your furniture enhances the space, and the accessories enhance the furniture.

Use universal artwork. Instead of allowing photos of one person's family to dominate the space, purchase pieces of art. Great art doesn't need to be expensive. Consider purchasing artwork from street artists, small galleries and even art students.

Consider professional design help. When looking to hire an interior designer, be sure to do your homework. Start with a professional organization such as the American Society of Interior Designers. You will find a host of professionally trained interior designers in your local area. Other places to look include the International Interior Design Association, the U.S. Green Building Council and American Institute of Architects.

Interview three designers. Ask to see samples of their work. You may also wish to see their work in person. Don't be afraid to ask an interior designer about his or her education and credentials. These credentials can also be confirmed through sites like www.asid.org and www.ncidq.org.

Beyond a designer's credentials and portfolio, consider personality and whether or not you feel you can trust and would enjoy working with this professional for a lengthy period. Design work could take up to a year or possibly longer.

Understand design costs. Most interior designers charge a flat design fee or bill hourly. Hourly fees typically range from $100 to $300 per hour, based on the designer's experience. In addition to a design fee, designers also charge a percentage for items that are sourced or purchased through them, typically between 10 and 35 percent. Expect a professional interior designer to also charge for extras such as drafting services, creating construction drawings or renderings, shopping, phone calls and overseeing construction management.