Looking for a Change? 10 Tips for Planning a Home Decorating Project
The start of a new year triggers the desire for change, and 2021 is that feeling on steroids.
One of my best friends reached out to me recently for help refreshing her living room after many long months of staring at the same furniture and accessories that were past their prime. She was feeling overwhelmed and unsure of where to start, which is often what I hear from friends, family and clients who come to me for design help.
A little background on me – I have a graduate degree in Interior Design and during school I started a residential interior design company. I eventually moved on to become an in-house designer for a group of restaurants and then a product designer in the home goods sector before having kids, but I have taken on freelance design projects in the residential space consistently since graduation.
Interior design is my passion, and I love the process of working with someone to transform the way they feel in their home. A well-designed space is so powerful, and now more than ever, we are craving positive energy in the place we live, work and parent.
Planning and executing a space that raises your vibration is no simple task, so I thought I would offer some advice to those embarking on their own projects, however large or small.
1 / Begin with Pinterest. Pinterest launched in 2010 and changed the Interior Design game in a major way. Everything from research to mood boards became so much more efficient and accessible, and it’s only gotten better since then. I start every project with a Pinterest board and include inspirational photos of entire rooms, specific furniture pieces and even non-interior images like a beautiful dress or a lush garden. Throw everything that sparks your fancy against this virtual wall, and you’ll start to see stylistic patterns emerge.
2 / What’s working in your space, or not? Before launching into the specific pieces you want to purchase, begin by asking yourself what’s working, or not, in your space. How does the flow feel? Do you need more storage? Is there enough space for everyone to sit/work/eat?
3 / How would you like it to function? Titles like “living room”, “family room” or “dining room” are relatively meaningless. What matters is how you need or want your home to function for you and your family. If formality ain’t your thing and puzzles and reading are, swap that dining room title for a study.
If you are in full on family mode, creating a kid’s area out of one living space and a more peaceful adult zone in another might be the harmony you need. The point is not to get stuck on what the room “should” be, but rather lean into what you need from it.
4 / What stays? Think about which pieces you truly love before you zero in on a budget. Yes- we can’t all afford to replace everything, but being able to identify what you connect with most and then rank what remains will help to focus your design choices.
5 / What would you like to add or replace? Now is the time to start getting into the specifics. If you need a little facelift, accessories and artwork may be your focus. If you need to add more comfortable seating or more storage, identify those needs now.
6 / Budget. At this point, or even before, you may have an idea about budget. Making design choices often becomes quite emotional. I recommend having an honest chat with anyone else making the financial and/or design decisions with you around what you value most in this project.
Is the budget absolute or is there wiggle room for the perfect piece? How will you approach an unexpected cost? While you may not be on the exact same page, you can understand what the other person values in the project and seek a compromise that feels aligned with both of you.
7 / Pinterest round two. Now that you’ve focused the scope of your project, hit up Pinterest again and start culling what no longer feels right and adding more specific pieces that fall within your budget. If you’re deciding between two unique directions, break out each one onto it’s own separate board.
8 / Order samples. With so much of our purchases happening online, and so many options not available to see in person anyway, samples are your best friends. Gather upholstery fabric, paint, wood finish, tile, etc. and play with all the different combinations. You’ll see very quickly when there’s an odd man out.
9 / Measure twice, buy once. Like the old design school adage “Measure twice, cut once”, which I was terrible at following by the way, measuring multiple times saves you a lot of grief in the end. It’s also so important to measure for air vents (don’t put a piece of furniture over one), window clearances and electrical outlets.
10 / Get organized. I love a good old fashioned excel spreadsheet for organizing my top picks. I start with a thumbnail image of the item then vendor/store, style name/number, color/finish, size, price, quantity, shipping, tax and total cost. I will also add in a note section with info like production time or sale information.
Now you’re ready to take the leap! After you’ve given your design a couple days or weeks to marinate, go back and make tweaks if needed, then go for it! If you’re still feeling overwhelmed, reach out to a professional or try one of the many virtual design tools available.
Do you have any projects on the horizon? Feel free to post a question in the comments or shoot me an email. I’d be happy to help get you started!
With love,
Steph
