Get the most bang for your buck by shopping smart for your home.

Adding your sense of flair and style to your home can be an expensive endeavour. But sensible decisions will allow you to get more bang for your decorating buck. These do's and don'ts will help to get you on the right track.

Do check out standard sizes of construction materials before designing custom built-ins. Working with common sizes saves time and money.

Do go to factory outlets and manufacturers' warehouses for basics such as carpet and tile. Seconds or overruns are often sold at discounted prices.

Do trade decorating services with a friend whose sewing skills equal your own painting skills. A fair barter is a rewarding exchange.

Don't buy furniture or accessories that only work in one space. Moving pieces from room to room extends your enjoyment of them.

Don't overlook economical favourites such as Venetian blinds to stretch decorating dollars. Their variety of finishes makes them appropriate for almost every room.

Don't use solid wood when a veneer can do the job. Even such exotic or expensive woods as wenge, burled walnut, satinwood and rosewood are available in affordable veneer plywood or MDF sheets.

Image courtesy of Crate & Barrel.