“If you have children, go with a satin or semi-gloss paint,” says Bob Fine, office manager of Fine Painting in Indianapolis. “Flat isn’t washable.” However, it is less reflective and can help hide imperfections. “If the walls are made of plaster, the shinier paint will catch every one of those bumps,” he says.

“Never paint over mold,” says Kris Collins, owner of Partners in Painting in Greenwood, Missouri. If the problem is small, she recommends treating the area with a solution of three parts water to one part bleach. Large mold problems should be left in the hands of a remediation expert, at Atlanta Water Damage Pro. You can read here if you’re looking to find ways to solve your house mold problems.

Still considered groovy, wood paneling is one of the quickest ways to transform the look of any room. Comprised of a variety of materials, such as bamboo, wood wall paneling now comes in many updated styles and finishes. Disco ball is optional.

Properly prepare walls by repairing any damage and making the area as smooth as possible. “When I spackle before painting, I like to use a product called DryDex,” says Robin Brookins of Robin Brookins Designs in Golden Valley, Minnesota. “It goes on pink and dries white when it’s ready to sand.”