“Informed choices in furniture, decor and accessories infuse life into our living spaces, turning houses into homes .”

Jane Austen

Furnishing and decorating your home is an exciting and fulfilling endeavour, but it can also be challenging, especially with the abundance of available options. Being an informed buyer is critical to making the best choices and creating a space that reflects your style and preferences. In this blog, we will share valuable tips and tricks to help you confidently navigate the world of furniture, decor items, and home accessories, ensuring you make well-informed decisions that turn your house into a cherished home.

Define Your Style

Defining your style and understanding your needs before you start your smart shopping journey is essential.

To define your style, you could list colours, patterns, textures, and overall themes you feel drawn to. Looking around your home may reveal further clues about what you feel drawn to.

These are some helpful questions to ask yourself to determine which colours, patterns, textures, and themes you gravitate towards:

Colour :

Would you prefer warm hues like red, orange, and yellow or cool tones like blue, green, and purple?
Are you more drawn to bright or subtle shades?

Pattern :

Could you tell me which types of patterns you prefer? Are you more drawn to geometric, floral, or abstract patterns?
Do you prefer the size of the patterns? Would you rather have large patterns or small ones?
How frequently do you enjoy incorporating patterns into your style?
Are you fond of combining various patterns?

Textures :

Do you lean more towards smooth, rough, or soft textures?
Which materials do you tend to incorporate in your home decor? (Examples include wood, metal, glass, fabric, etc.)
How frequently do you prefer to utilize different textures?
Are you someone who enjoys combining various textures?

Overall themes:

What kind of overall theme do you want in your home? Which style do you prefer: rustic, eclectic, classic, or modern?
What kind of mood do you want to create in your home? Are you seeking a tranquil, warm, or energetic environment?
What are your favourite aspects of your home? What attributes make it seem like home to you?

Evaluate Functionality & Purpose

Each room in your home serves a specific purpose, and your furniture and decor choices should align with these functions. Consider how you use each space and the practical needs you have.

Here are some key considerations for each room:

The Bedroom:

Sufficient storage: The bedroom should have plenty of space for clothes, sheets, and other personal goods. Built-in nightstands, dressers, closets, and other furniture can accomplish this.
A comfortable bed: Because beds are the focal point of most bedrooms, choosing one that is both supportive and cosy is vital. Consider the firmness, size, and type of mattress.
Good lighting: The bedroom should have a variety of lighting sources to assist diverse activities such as reading, getting ready, and unwinding. Overhead lighting fixtures can provide ambient lighting, while table or bedroom lamps provide task lighting.

The Living Room:

Comfortable Seating: Invest in a comfortable sofa or sectional with ample seating to accommodate guests and family members. Consider the depth and cushioning of the seating to ensure relaxation.
Coffee tables and side tables: Include coffee tables and tables for holding drinks, snacks, and personal items within easy reach.
Entertainment Center: If you enjoy watching movies or TV shows, consider an entertainment centre or TV stand that organizes media equipment and accessories.
Storage Solutions: Incorporate storage options like shelves, cabinets, or ottomans with hidden storage to keep the living room tidy and organized.

The Dining Room:

Adequate seating: The dining area should have enough seats to accommodate everyone who intends to utilize it. This may necessitate using a sideboard with additional seating or a table with extensible leaves.
Comfortable seating: Spending a significant amount of time seated in the dining chairs should be feasible. Consider factors such as back support, seat depth, and height.
Appropriate table height: The dining table height should match the chairs’ height. The height of a table should be between 29 and 30 inches.
Plenty of space: People should be able to wander around the dining table without feeling claustrophobic. You should generally leave at least 36 to 48 inches of space between the table and any walls.

The Bathroom:

Adequate space: The bathroom should have enough area for all the fixtures and fittings and enough room for users to walk comfortably.
Safe surfaces: The restroom should have non-slip surfaces to reduce the risk of falls. This is particularly crucial in the bathtub and shower sections.
Accessible fixtures: All users, including those with disabilities, should be able to operate the bathroom fixtures, including the controls for the shower, washbasin, and toilet.
Adequate lighting: The bathroom must be well-lit during the day and at night. Task lighting, which includes vanity lights over sinks, is very important.
Ventilation: Adequate ventilation in the bathroom is required to drive away moisture and prevent mould growth.

Read Reviews and Testimonials: Unveiling the Real-Life Experience

Customer reviews and testimonials have become invaluable consumer resources in the digital age. When buying furniture, decor items, and home accessories, reading reviews can offer valuable product insights, helping you make more informed decisions. Reviews and testimonials come directly from customers who have purchased and used the products. Unlike promotional materials, these opinions are genuine and unbiased. They provide an authentic look at the items’ quality, performance, and overall experience. Reviews often highlight the quality and durability of furniture and decor items.

When reading reviews, keep the following points in mind:

Overall rating: This gives you a general idea of how others have received the product.
Reading both excellent and negative remarks is necessary to appraise the product accurately.
Detailed information: Look for evaluations that offer specific product information, such as features, quality, and lifespan.
Reviewer credibility: Consider the reviewer’s reputation and whether they look informed about the product.

Create a Budget

For various reasons, it is crucial to establish a budget before selecting furniture, home decor, or other household items. Making informed decisions is easier when you have a budget. Creating a budget requires evaluating your needs and desires and prioritizing your expenses. This can help you avoid impulsive spending and avoid exceeding your financial limits. Additionally, a budget can help you evade the debt trap. With a budget in place, you can prevent being overwhelmed by the cost of furnishing your home. It allows you to be purposeful in your choices and design a space you adore without breaking the bank.

Moreover, the furniture selection service can assist in creating a cohesive design plan that optimises the budget, preventing impulsive spending. Whether you aim for a specific theme, style, or a mix of elements, their guidance can streamline the selection process, helping you stay within your financial limits while achieving the desired aesthetic.

The following tips may assist you in developing a budget for home accessories, furniture, and décor:

To begin, make a list of all your wants and requirements. This can help you estimate the project’s potential scope and cost.
Conduct some research to estimate the costs of various items. You may compare prices both online and in-store to get the best deals.
Give your wants and needs first attention. Make a list of what you must have and can go without.
Establish a budget for each room in your house. This will help you keep track of your expenditures and avoid overpaying in any area.
Be adaptable. Things sometimes go differently than planned, so be ready to change your budget as required.

It’s also worth noting that you can equip your home at a time. You can begin with the necessities and gradually expand as the budget allows.

Seek Professional Advice: Unlocking the Expert’s Insight

While embarking on a journey to furnish and decorate your home can be exciting, it can also be overwhelming, especially with so many choices available. Enlisting the expertise of interior designers or personal shopper services can be a game-changer in your home furnishing journey. These professionals offer personalized recommendations and expert insights, transforming the overwhelming process into a seamless and enjoyable experience.

With a keen understanding of space, lifestyle, and design principles, interior designers provide tailored solutions that align precisely with your needs. They craft cohesive and functional design plans considering factors such as layout, lighting, and architecture. This process ensures that your living space becomes a true reflection of your style and serves as a source of comfort and joy.

In addition to their expertise in foundational design elements, many interior designers offer specialised services, including artwork and accessory design selection service. This service extends its guidance to the finer details, helping you curate a collection of artworks and accessories that enhance the overall aesthetic.

Oraanj Interior Design‘s discerning eye can navigate through various styles and mediums, ensuring that each piece complements the design scheme and adds a unique and personal touch to your home. This comprehensive approach adds a layer of confidence to your decision-making, making the entire design process more rewarding and ensuring that your living space is a harmonious blend of functionality and artistic expression.

Author: Kritika Jain & Anna May (Interior Designer)

Mastering the Art of Smart Shopping