Where do I start when redecorating?
That is a loaded question! Very few people in this economy can afford to "do everything." Here are some pointers:
Come up with a budget and stick to it.
Look through magazines and find rooms that you like. Start a file of those pages. Categorize by rooms.
Dissect the pictures. What do you like about them? Is it the color on the wall, the rug, accessories, the furniture, fabric or the architecture of the room? Make notes for each picture. This is especially helpful for married couples. Find things you agree on in the pictures to define a style you both like.
Draw a floor plan. If you need help, there are websites that will tell you how. Why is that important? Because you want to know what size sofa to buy and how you will fit it into your room.
You don't want something that is too big or too small for your space.
Decide what the most important (or expensive) purchases are and work on getting those first. If you can afford to buy that sofa don't allow yourself to get sidetracked and spend some of the sofa money on accessories because you saw them before finding a sofa. It is easy to buy accessories one at a time, but if you start spending your sofa budget on something else, that money is more difficult to replace. Stay focused.
Buy the best quality "important pieces" that you can afford. Splurge on a sofa and cheat on the tables and accessories if you have to. It is fun to check consignment stores, thrift shops and garage sales. They often have things that are unusual and will add interest to your room.
Hiring a designer can sound expensive, but a consultation can give you information you need to make wise choices when you shop. When clients call me to get them started, I measure and design the floor plan, make suggestions "outside the box" with options for the room, and equip my clients with what they need to shop for themselves.
Suggestions for successful shopping:
1. Share your budget with your sales consultant so they can point you in the right direction.
2. Take room measurements with you so you don't have to go home and measure!
3. Take fabric samples and paint chips with you if you are trying to coordinate something.
4. Take your file with the pictures you like and show them to your sales person. It will allow them to
better understand your style.
5. Carry a tape measure and camera. If you aren't buying on the spot, photograph the piece you like
and the price tag with the information. You can also ask for a "tear sheet" that has all the
information on it. Because things may sell off the floor, be discontinued, or moved, the item
you want may be hard to find without the information.
* Keep all of the above in a tote bag in your car so you have them when you need them.
Come up with a budget and stick to it.
Look through magazines and find rooms that you like. Start a file of those pages. Categorize by rooms.
Dissect the pictures. What do you like about them? Is it the color on the wall, the rug, accessories, the furniture, fabric or the architecture of the room? Make notes for each picture. This is especially helpful for married couples. Find things you agree on in the pictures to define a style you both like.
Draw a floor plan. If you need help, there are websites that will tell you how. Why is that important? Because you want to know what size sofa to buy and how you will fit it into your room.
You don't want something that is too big or too small for your space.
Decide what the most important (or expensive) purchases are and work on getting those first. If you can afford to buy that sofa don't allow yourself to get sidetracked and spend some of the sofa money on accessories because you saw them before finding a sofa. It is easy to buy accessories one at a time, but if you start spending your sofa budget on something else, that money is more difficult to replace. Stay focused.
Buy the best quality "important pieces" that you can afford. Splurge on a sofa and cheat on the tables and accessories if you have to. It is fun to check consignment stores, thrift shops and garage sales. They often have things that are unusual and will add interest to your room.
Hiring a designer can sound expensive, but a consultation can give you information you need to make wise choices when you shop. When clients call me to get them started, I measure and design the floor plan, make suggestions "outside the box" with options for the room, and equip my clients with what they need to shop for themselves.
Suggestions for successful shopping:
1. Share your budget with your sales consultant so they can point you in the right direction.
2. Take room measurements with you so you don't have to go home and measure!
3. Take fabric samples and paint chips with you if you are trying to coordinate something.
4. Take your file with the pictures you like and show them to your sales person. It will allow them to
better understand your style.
5. Carry a tape measure and camera. If you aren't buying on the spot, photograph the piece you like
and the price tag with the information. You can also ask for a "tear sheet" that has all the
information on it. Because things may sell off the floor, be discontinued, or moved, the item
you want may be hard to find without the information.
* Keep all of the above in a tote bag in your car so you have them when you need them.
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