1.  Consider your budget.  This will enable your design consultant or salesperson to point you in the right direction.

2.  Make a list of priorities.  Few clients can buy everything at once.  Start with your basic requirements and build off of them over time.  (Have a master plan.)

3.  Share priorities with your design consultant.  This allows the designer to help you with your master plan.  Your designer will also be able to alert you when he or she finds things that will meet the requirements for your plan.

4. Measure your space, including doorways, the fireplace hearth and windows.  Make a basic floor plan (you can find instructions on the Internet if you need help). BRING THE ROOM MEASUREMENTS WITH YOU!  Note: If you are buying bar stools, know if you need counter height or bar height.

5.  Bring fabric and paint samples if you are buying upholstery.  Also bring photos of your room and furniture you plan to keep.

6.  Bring photos from magazines and the Internet showing rooms that you like.  Make notes on each photo telling what appeals to you about the room.  For example:  Do you like the furniture style?  The color of the walls and draperies?  The flooring and accessories?

BRING A CAMERA (CELL PHONES WORK GREAT) AND A TAPE MEASURE.  The camera will allow you to remember detail of what you saw in the store.  Most stores will let you check out fabric options.  Some stores will order a “memo” (a small cutting of fabric) that you can keep when you are ready to order your upholstered piece.

Keep everything in a tote bag in your car and you will never forget what you need.  I can’t tell you how many times I had customers tell me they had to go home and measure, or they wanted to bring in a pillow to make sure the color of the sofa was okay.

Article by Diane Dean, IDS Associate
www.dianedeaninteriors.com