As a professional interior designer in Bergen County, NJ,
I frequently help clients make selections, especially when it comes to
furniture. When doing a major update, I
ask clients to accumulate inspirational images of rooms they like. This is an exercise that helps decipher their
style in this process.
Sometimes people fall in love with something trendy. Trends come and go. If they select items that are trendy, I ask
if that space will be redone in a few years.
For most people, that is just not realistic. They aren’t going to re-do. They are looking for something that is more timeless
and long lasting.
How do you make that decision, so your home doesn’t scream
“dated’?
#1. WHAT
QUESTIONS SHOULD I ASK MYSELF?
Time.
How long do I expect to live here with these furnishings?
It is a balancing act.
When you choose a trendy piece, it will eventually look outdated when
the trend is replaced by something new.
Expense.
How much does this piece cost? Can I afford to replace it soon if I tire of
it?
Quality.
How will it hold up if I want to change the fabric or is it
going to need an alternate soon with the wear and tear it will get from my
family?
Sometimes it is just not cost effective to reupholster if
the construction of the piece is weak.
#2.
WHAT’S THE ANSWER?
When
quality matters, a timeless piece can go a long way. Made well, a sofa or chair can be re-covered
in a new fabric to refresh it down the road.
Our tastes change over time so we will not be boxed in forever. That is a good idea.
If you
invest in a neutral style and/or color you love [for the next 10 years?] for
big-ticket items such as sofas, bedroom furniture, large area rugs, and dining
room furniture, you will capitalize on these purchases.
Some
of the items you need aren’t that costly to update. So, if you get in a rut down the line, you
could afford to replace them later.
Items such as lamps, comforters and bedding, coffee tables and bar
stools are good examples. Pillows and
throws can be replaced often to keep up with more current colors, especially if
you are placing them on neutral colored furnishings.
Some
things are meant to go, and you don’t spend tons of money on them. Items such as nursery furniture and cribs,
toddler beds, bunk beds, loft and small apartment furnishings fall into this
category. If you select a classic style
and/or color for these, it will help you to sell or give them to others when
you are done.
Trendy
stuff is great fun as accents. If they
are inexpensive and replaceable, it is ok to go a little wild! Throw pillows, blankets, baskets, poufs, and
accent chairs are good examples of these items.
Accent pieces and even some art can be
trendy and can be moved around from one room to another to create a fresh look!
Items with clean lines are always in
style. Texture adds interest to a room, so
go ahead and get that jute rug or grass cloth wallpaper.
Here’s a hint:
Remember old lamp shades? They used to be oval or round shapes. Not too long ago, they became rectangular or
square. That trend has hung on for quite
a while.
Rugs have a huge impact and have many
price points. They can change a room
dramatically. If the basic flooring is
neutral, a rug can become the basics of the space. Antique, vintage, or Moroccan rugs give
visual interest and will ground the room.
Classic items are stone, wood, glass, and
leather. Marble counters, oriental rugs,
campaign chests, animal prints and beautifully tailored draperies never go out
of style!
The number one goal should be to make you feel happy! Your home reflects you and your lifestyle. Enjoy it!
Are you sick of looking at the same stuff with all this stay-at-home time? Maybe it’s time to refresh and update? Let us help you get a new look! Contact us now.
