10 tips from our lead designer, Cassandra Whitney, when furnishing your home.
Don’t go too cheap.
Putting together inviting rooms that are functional and personalized is one of the most enjoyable phases of building or remodeling a home. There are so many variables to estimating the cost of furnishings and establishing a realistic budget. It can be tricky. Furnishing and decorating from scratch is like car shopping. There are tons of style choices, types of cars, differences in quality, longevity and prices. You can get a used Pinto or a brand new Maserati. No matter the space you are finishing, how you use the room will influence your choices.
2. Choose a color palette.
Choose a color palette. This will help you stay on track and ensure you love the way all the pieces come together. Think about a comfortable main color for paint, large furniture, and accent colors. Don’t be afraid to have fun! This is your home, it should make you feel great to be in!
Deciding on a color palette and sticking with it can make decisions easier. This will help your home from looking disjointed.
3. Size & scale of furniture for the each room.
Size matters! The size of the home significantly influences the cost to furnish, as well as the dimensions of the furniture you purchase. Think about the scale of the furniture in the size of the room. Measure your rooms and add it to your notes in your phone so you will have it handy if you’re out shopping or stumble upon a piece you love. I recommend making a floor plan with furniture dimensions so you know your largest and smallest dimensions to fit in your space.
4. Take measurements of the rooms.
Make note of those measurements and keep them in your phone.
5. Be conscience of trends.
Save trendy for accent pieces and accessories that are easy to swap out seasonally, or as your style changes.
What is your style?
Formal, casual, modern, eclectic, transitional, coastal, mid mod? Understanding your style can help from creating a disjointed design. Pinterest is a great tool . Collect images and you will see one design style or element will start to become repetitive and that will help you streamline what you like. Finding an online design quiz can help you find your style if you don’t have a clear vision.
6. Don’t buy everything from 1 store.
Buying all your decor from 1 store, can end up too “matchy” and your home will lack personal style.
7. Don’t impulse buy.
Furniture is the biggest ticket category and also where you have the most leverage for splurging or saving. Remember to shop quality here. Sofas, sectionals, coffee tables, side tables, bookshelves, storage, media consoles, chairs, ottomans and rugs. Like furniture you will want to get a quality for high traffic areas durability is priority. Ask about the material that the rug is made out of. For high traffic, kid and pet areas, consider easy to clean materials like Polypropylene,polyester, and wool. Viscose is gorgeous and delicate! Save that for a formal lightly used area.
8. Remember to ask about Delivery time and cost.
This could change your whole budget.
9. Buying full price.
Let’s talk budget!
There is always a sale right around the corner, and sometimes you can get a discount on the spot by asking. Keep in mind labor or renovation costs as well. If you have custom pieces, custom drapery, large rooms or more maximalist design style, there can definitely be more expenses.
Window treatment expenses are often an overlooked category. Primary windows may warrant custom drapes or window treatments. There are a lot of options for off-the-shelf purchasing. Drapery really adds warmth and comfort to the room. It's also a great place to add some texture and color.
Wall decor. This category can be expensive if you need to maintain a budget or the jewel or focal point of the room. Often helpful to have at least one piece you love to help curate the room from the gecko. You could even use this piece to generate your color palette. Don’t forget to consider the price of framing; this can often be a significant expense if it is custom.
10. You don't need to buy everything all at once.
Start with the big pieces and add on as you go. Styling accessories. Catchall category for pillows throw blankets and accents they add flair and dimension to the space. Be sure to include in your budget the small expenses can add up fast. It’s a great place to add a little personality and interest. But hopefully this will help you get a better idea of how much you can expect to spend to furnish your home.
