Now that I have your attention, let's discuss the ever-dreadful topic of budgeting. It can be a little frustrating if your design dreams don't fit your current budget. After all the saving and planning for your new home, you are now free to shop and buy things to fill it, making it a beautiful reflection of you. First, you’ll need to decide what items you need the most for the room you’ve chosen to design. If you are designing your living room, you’ll need a sofa, a few accent chairs, maybe a nice accent rug for your floor. If you opt to design your master bedroom first, you might want to look at a new bed, nightstands, and curtains. These items can vary widely in price. To help ease the sticker shock, I recommend shopping around. Get your google on! In this instance, the internet can be your best friend.
So many companies list their inventory online to help make it easier for customers to shop, plan, and order. Pieces you want can be as simple as a few clicks away, and before you know it, packages are arriving at your front door! If you like to look, see, and feel in person, shop at big box stores, but go when they are offering sales. Don’t forget to check out the clearance racks, both online and in person. You can find some awesome steals there!! You can also shop when seasons are changing. For example, outdoor furniture usually goes on sale as the fall season approaches. Stores need that space for fall/winter inventory and sometimes offer deep discounts. Shop local. Local shopping can be really fun!! Shopping local can significantly help your local community. Some prefer unique pieces and shopping local is a great way to find something distinctive and one of a kind.
Avoid falling in love with a piece that doesn’t fit into your current budget. It can be hard to see past that item if you get fixated on that one thing. Also, look for similar items from different stores. Some companies have the exact same item but can sale them at very different prices. If you can’t find the exact item at a lower price, look for items that are similar. Designers often make merchandise that can be similar in look/style. Looking through catalogs, searching online, and window shopping is where I’ve found inspiration and during the process, can find what I really like for the price that is more in my comfort zone.
You may also find your design concept has changed. I fell victim to this when I was planning my living room. I had originally wanted midcentury modern, a specific color scheme, and a certain sofa. Once I began researching products I moved in a completely different direction. This is where tip “take your time” tip comes into play. If you rush into designing and furnishing your new space, you may find your taste and mind changing. It’s a good idea to let your home speak to you. Live in it a little bit and see how it feels. I know, that sounds strange, but it can take time to determine what your new place feels like. Surely you want your new place to feel like home, so how do you want to accomplish that?
What does home feel like to you? What style, idea, or feel do you want when you or family and friends come home?
Feel free to reach out with questions! I'd love to hear from you.
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