One of the best ways of knowing what your style is, is to get every design magazine or catalog and start ripping out the things you like, everything from the sofa to a color. Lights, pillows, rugs, you name it, if you like it rip it out and start an inspiration folder, when the folder is full take out all the pictures and you will start to see what style appeals to you. This is the first step to creating the space that reflects who you are.
2) Measure twice, buy once
The most important thing in buying furniture is that it fits in the room. Sounds like a no brainer but it is an easy mistake. Measure every wall, all of the door openings, where the windows are, etc. Make a little freehand drawing with the dimensions on it and take it with you when you are shopping for furniture.
3) The newspaper trick
This is the design secret that can make you look like a pro. When you find the furniture you like, ask the sales person for two things, the measurements and a swatch of fabric to take with you. (We'll get to the fabric later). When you get home take an old newspaper and lay the pages down on the floor in the dimensions of the furniture you think you want to buy. By doing that you can see how much space each piece will take up in the room. Does the sofa fit on that wall? Is there room for that cool chair? Is the rug too big in the space? All will be revealed with a few pieces of newspaper.
4) What to pick first
It doesn't matter. Whether you find the sofa first, or the rug, or the curtains, any piece can be the starting point in your room design. Just make sure of one thing, make sure you love it. If you even think for a minute it might not be what you like, you are right. Take the time to find the right pieces for you.
5) Color is our friend
One of the easiest things to change is the wall color, so don't be afraid to experiment. You know those little chips of color you get at the paint store that look great but when you paint a whole wall it looks completely different? When you go to the store take home 6 of the same color choice. Cut the choice out from the strip and tape the 6 identical colors together, now you have a bigger swatch of color to look at. Leave it on the wall for at least a day so you can see what the color looks like in different lights of day.
6) No small feet
You want to make sure to keep a three foot wide walking space in high traffic areas. A three foot width is an industry standard, it gives the body enough space to move around a room and it gives a visual feeling of space as well.
7) Lighten up or be dim
If clothes make the man, lights make the room. Having the right amount of light is a very important design element. Dimmers, dimmers, dimmers…did I mention using dimmers
8) It's alive!
Plants warm up a room and give it added life. You don't need a green thumb or even direct light to have healthy beautiful plants. What you need is a good nursery in town to tell you what will work best for you.
9) Does the hat match the purse?
Drapes and pillows in the same color scheme or pattern unifies a place instantly. This is one of the least expensive ways to flex your design muscle.
10) Back to the fabric swatch
The swatch, the paint chip, pictures of the rug, the lamps and furnishings should all be kept together, this is your reference for all future purchases. If you find something you love but it does not fit in with the reference material you have, don't get it. There are hundreds of choices in design and sticking to your references will keep you on the straight and narrow.
