Don't worry so much about resale. "I think people should live in an environment they enjoy and not do things, like painting the walls beige, just for resale," Amy says. "I always encourage people to use paint colors that make them happy. You can always change 'em-it's just paint. And I don't know too many people whose favorite color is beige." Her living room walls, right, are a sunny yellow.

If you do worry about resale, keep the expensive elements classic. Despite the bold harvest-gold exterior and the zippy palette inside her home, Amy stayed in the neutral zone with flooring, appliances, kitchen cabinets, above, and exterior trim. Save the saturated color for furniture (which can relocate with you), wall paint, and accessories.

Click here to see inside Amy’s super-organized garage.