Sampleboard Created by Rosena Macfadzean on Sampleboardcom
Shopping for your interior decorating project
When decorating your home it can be difficult to work out what should stay, what should go and what items you need to buy. This article has some suggestions and tips to help you with this task.
Create a decorating plan
The first thing to do is work out a decorating plan. As you create your plan look at what you already have. Look for items of value, items you like, items you could build a new scheme around. Be honest about what is good, what is bad and what is ugly.
Find the Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Sometimes we keep things we really don't like because they were a gift from someone we love. If you don't want to give it away place the item in storage. Work out what decorating styles and color schemes you like. What sort of mood or theme do you want to create? Write it all down. Collect images of things you like. Gather samples of the colors you like. Place them in a folder or create a scrapbook.
What decorating style/mood/theme do you want to achieve?
If you go to the SampleBoard.com website you can play around with ideas and create a sampleboard or a moodboard with all your ideas. You can even select items, find the suppliers details and contact the supplier to buy the items. Take your time once you have made your final decisions in most instances it pays to stick to them.
Questions to ask yourself
It helps to ask yourself questions. How much do you want to spend? What do you want to or have to keep and work with? What do you need to buy? In what timeframe do you want to achieve your new look? It pays to set goals and gradually work toward them.
The No! No's
Don't buy on impulse. Make a commitment to take your time to work your plan. Don't let other people change your mind. When you go shopping keep referring back to your original goal/plan and decorating style. Take your folder with you. Don't select too many colors. Keep it simple by selecting two or three colors this will make it easy to create a color scheme. It will also make it easier when you go shopping.
Avoid Impulse Buying
Don't be tempted to change colors midstream. Don't be reckless and impatient build on your theme gradually. When you select any item, pattern, texture or color don't select the item in isolation, without reference to your other choices.
Don't be a slave to the latest colors or fads. Make sure you really like the color, that you feel comfortable with it. The latest fad may not work with the decorating style of your home/room. So only go for the fashion look that really expresses you and your lifestyle.
Guidelines to avoid impulse buying
There are some guidelines you can follow to help you avoid impulse buying. When shopping ask your self is this decorating style or color scheme part of my decorating plan? Is the price reasonable and what I can afford to pay? If an item is on sale is the price a true sale price? Is there a cheaper item that can serve as a substitute?
Are there any major disadvantages to this item? Have I done my research on this item? Does the manufacturer of the product have a good reputation? If the price is excessive is it worth it, will it satisfy my inner need? Is the product on offer for a bargain price the current model? Do I need the current model? Does the retailer offer special services?
If you answer yes to most of the above questions it is safe to buy the item. If you answer yes to about half the questions above have a think about it before you buy. Go and have a walk or coffee before you buy. If you answer yes to less than a quarter of the questions above then maybe this item is not for you.
