Mix DIY décor with professional advice by first planning your space layout and testing color schemes using free online tools. Book affordable virtual consultations to sanity-check your ideas or get tailored recommendations for furniture and lighting. Use the sixty-thirty-ten color ratio to guide DIY painting and accessories. Apply professional tips for key decisions like rug size—typically a six-by-nine-foot rug anchoring your sofa with fourteen to eighteen inches to your coffee table. This method maximizes impact while keeping control of costs and personalizing your apartment.