1. What is Your Style
A helpful way to start resolving this is a moodboard, whether physical or virtual (coughPinterest). Here is a 'how-to' for making your own mood-board. By going through magazines (interior or otherwise) or images online and putting them in one place, you will start to see the things that you are drawn to over and over again. You may have a very specific style and a very specific set of colours that will be all you ever choose, or you may like bits and pieces here and there and have a more eclectic style (pick me pick me!). Either way is totally cool and can give you something beautiful, but its helpful to have this in the back of your mind and to help evaluate your options e.g. If you want a very specifically industrial space you probably won't go for the pastel pink fluffy couch. This can be particularly helpful when evaluating between two options and hopefully it will mean you won't get home with all your new lovely purchases and not know how to make them work in a room.
2. Specific Pieces That You Already Love
Do you have something already that you love and can't live without? If the answer is yes, then it's helpful to consider this when shopping for more items so that the one (or more) favourite pieces fits in with your space once you've put everything in it. I have an owl cushion that I bought when we were in Cambridge in 2011 that I love - he is so cute, just my colours, and is a reminder of our fun holiday. He is pink and orange! It does help that I always end up back with these colours, but when I started crocheting my blanket for the couch on which this beloved pillow sits, I took my owl cushion to the wool store so I could make sure the colours worked together.
3. Specific Functional Requirements
Are there 'must haves' on your list for a space or a specific piece of furniture? You will almost always be happier in the long run if you make sure what you purchase meets this criteria. Something I find helpful in this is I carry around a notebook in my handbag that has dimensions of things in my house, particularly our media setup. Adrian loves his tellie and all that goes with it - surround sound, receivers etc. that he saved up overtime money towards - I have to admit I love it too, even if it is difficult to find a way to make it work in our living room. I have been looking for an entertainment unit for basically a year now and haven't come across one that fits our equipment as Adrian would like it and that I am happy to look at every time I walk into our living room. If, however we went shopping or I enquired about a product online, I have the dimensions of everything I need to fit in the unit at hand ready. It may sound a bit nerdy, but you want a solution that works functionally as we'll as looking ah-mazing!
4. If You're Not Comfortable, Play it Safe
I love colour and always have and I still get nervous when making furniture decisions, especially if they are bright and bold. It is perfectly ok to play it safe with your key pieces and accentuate with colourful accessories. It also means if you change the colours you like or want a different look for a season it won't cost you so much. It is far easier to change up a few cushions, rugs and decor items than it is to re-buy all your furniture cos you don't like the colour that you did two years ago! Having said this, we have a bed in 'safety yellow' that I LOVE so really, whatever is your style, run with it!
5. Can You Give New Life to Something You Already Have
Lets be honest, we're not all made of money. Is there a piece of furniture that you already have that could be reworked into something you love without paying for something new? Sometimes these end up being the pieces you love the most because you've made it yours and its individual to you. Sometimes it's as easy as a lick of paint and maybe some new knobs. Have a think before you go putting all your old furniture out for Council clean-up! Having said that, go hunting at Council clean-up time and you might find someone else's furniture that you can transform into something you love - always keep your eyes peeled!
6. Inspiration
Get the creative juices and ideas flowing! Check out blogs, magazines, books etc .for ideas, how-to's, strategies others use for design etc. There are so many amazing designers and creators out there, so check some of them out and get inspired! Check out the Resources and Blogroll pages for some of my inspiration sources.
7. Don't forget a tape measure!
You definitely don't want to get home with a piece you love and work out that the wall is slightly too short or similar. Being prepared will pay off in the long run and give you something you are much happier with!
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