1. Do Not Be Afraid to Hire An Interior Designer
Hiring an Interior Designer not only brings peace of mind to the design process but it will save you time and money in the long run. While it is easy to think that you can “do it yourself,” an Interior Designer is going to help you stay within your budget, provide access & resources to design items otherwise not accessible, and take the stress and guesswork of creating a beautiful home. Additionally, an Interior Designer is going to give you TIME back. Between family, work, and life, letting a professional take the lead with your design project will allow you more creative freedom to assist in the process, yet still stay focused with your day-to-day tasks.
At Lavender Fields, your happiness is our number one priority, and we look forward to assisting you in creating the home of your dreams. We offer complimentary design assistance in store, by phone, and email too.
Contact us today to get started on all of your design needs!
2. Purchase Quality Furniture
While purchasing good quality furniture may seem like an unneeded expense at the time, their return on investment far outweighs that of their initial price tag. Here are just a few of the reasons WHY investing in quality furniture is going to be more cost effective to you in the future!
- Quality products are going to last - most likely a lifetime! In addition, they provide better comfort and, ultimately, less of a financial burden down the road.
- The versatility of what is offered with higher end furniture is far greater than those with a relatively lower price point.
- It’s aesthetically pleasing! High quality furniture looks just like that; high quality!
3. Start Each Room With a Favorite Piece
When you are looking for design inspiration, turning to a favorite piece for each room is the perfect start. Whether you have a piece of art you adore, a piece of furniture you want to highlight, or a fabric that you have been wanting to use, these provide the best starting point.
4. Create Your Own Story
In a world of DIY, home improvement channels, and even social media, it’s hard NOT to get excited about decorating, and inspired to create the perfect living space. More often than not, though, I work with clients who see a look they like, fall in love with the picture, and decide they want to recreate or “copy” it altogether. Easy right?
What we tend to not look at are the specifics, and if it “fits” our lifestyle.
Here are a couple of
examples:
The space [family room] I want to recreate is gorgeous but will it be conducive to my young family of 5? It is too formal, and not enough comfort? Does it fit the needs of our family right now?
I love this rug shown on social media but, beyond the expense, does it work in the area where I would want it to be showcased? It’s in a “high traffic” area and gets a lot of wear and tear. While I want quality, maybe I need to find something similar but with more versatility.
Getting inspired by what is out there is a great economical resource but tailor it to your “story.” It’s about bringing style, comfort, and versatility to a space that fits your current needs, whether you are a young couple, a family of 5, or empty nesters. Hiring an Interior Designer is a wonderful addition to help bring your story to life, and create a vision for ways to change this down the road as your style and living situation evolves. If you are looking for some inspiration, take a peek at the curated selection of lifestyles we offer!
5. Lighting Matters
Think of lighting like your wardrobe - fun statement pieces mixed with essentials for everyday. Believe it or not, though, lighting is a design element that tends to be overlooked in the process. One of the best ways to properly “outfit” your space is to think about all of the ways it will be utilized. From there, you can start creating the perfect mood(s) such as warmth, drama, inviting, etc. For example, lamps serve an essential, everyday purpose; whether table or floor, they bring life to your space, and compliment natural and overhead lighting. On the other hand, chandeliers can act like jewelry, or fun statement pieces, for your home.
6. Sleep Is Important
The art to creating an inviting bedroom is that it is not only beautiful but the space is conducive to getting a good night’s sleep. In addition to selecting peaceful, serene and warm colors, along with proper lighting to provide a calm and welcoming space, I advise clients to make sure their bedroom is designed to be just that - their bedroom. Things I like to consider include keeping electronics outside of the space, avoiding clutter which can induce the feeling of stress, room temperature, and, most importantly, selecting your bedding wisely.
7. Guest Rooms Matter!
While guest rooms may not be a part of the home that you utilize on the regular, and “live in” for that matter, they should not be spaces that you skimp on though! Just as you want your home to be beautiful and comfortable for everyday living, the same should go for making your guests feel that way too!
8. Slipcovers Are Life Saving
There is something to be said about a slipcover, specifically for the fact that it is machine washable. This is a huge WIN, and a great addition when I am creating a child and pet friendly home for a client! Beyond being able to clean them as needed, they are versatile and can easily be changed out when you are ready for a new look. Plus, it is more economical since you only need to replace the slipcover and not the entire sofa. We are pleased to offer Lee Furniture, Cisco, Rowe and Norwalk. Contact us for details as our fabric options are endless!
9. Art Matters
All too often, I will walk into a room and see the space with no art at all, art that does not tell the client's story, or art that is not cohesive to the space. Art can be an overlooked investment because of the expense and not fully understanding the value & statement it adds to the home. While it can feel like an overwhelming process, take time to select art, and get to know what you like, don’t like, and fits your decor, personality, and story. Invest in art that will increase in value or that can be passed on to your family. If you are looking for some inspiration, take a peek at the art & wall decor that we offer at Lavender Fields.
10. Don’t Make Impulse Purchases
Finally, all too often I see customers make an impulse purchase from a big box store because they felt they “had to have it.” Those purchases often wind up on marketplaces as they realize the quality is cheap, it does not fit right in the room, it’s not versatile, etc. The art to creating your perfect space is in the hunt, and comparing a variety of different pieces before making the investment. What you think you may have wanted may not be what you end up loving! Even living in the space for a bit gives you a sense of what feels “right,” and what makes the most sense given your current lifestyle.
If you are ready to take the next step contact us for a free consultation.
