When to Do It Yourself, When to Hire a Pro

Find out when it pays to call for help in 8 common situations.

Using a Color Consultant

Problem: You’d like to spruce up your house, but you can’t seem to find the right red paint to complement your olive green couch.

Enter: The color consultant. She can help you select colors that work for your space and spare you from testing 15 different reds on your walls. She can also lead you to unexpected, possibly more daring choices.

Cost: Around $50 to $75 an hour (enough time to pick colors for two rooms).

To find one: Contact the International Association of Color Consultants/Designers at iaccna.org.

Consider doing it yourself when: You have the time and the inclination to sort through paint chips and design magazines for inspiration. For ideas, try Choosing Colors, by Kevin McCloud ($25, amazon.com).