Whether you are utilizing the services of an interior designer / decorator or doing it yourself, you are probably wondering how much it is (really) going to cost to furnish your house. The truth of the matter is that it is going to depend on the size and style, but there are some steps for you to take to prepare.

1.) The first step is to determine what style you want. This holds true in any and every room you are decorating…and my suggestion is to ensure that your entire home has a similar style that flows throughout. (I like doing this with our clients because if they get tired of the pillows in their living room, they can usually re-use them on the couch in the bedroom / family room, etc.)

If you don’t know what your style is, don’t worry. Rarely does anybody have one, specific look. But we do each have a vibe that we are comfortable with. Start by creating a board on Pinterest or Houzz – or a hard copy file with magazine pages torn out – that has samples of things / rooms you like. Note why you saved that particular image, so you can refer back to it and whittle down your favorites quickly. Here are a few living rooms we have designed / decorated to get your ideas started:

Living Room: Formal. Glamorous.

Living Room: Mid Century

Living Room: Traditional

Living Room: Transitional

2.) Now you have to determine what the project is worth to you. This will vary by location and value of your home. You are also going to want to consider how long you are going to be in the house and how long you will be in this phase of life. For example, will you be having kids anytime soon? Or are your kids grown and leaving the house soon? Do you have pets that will ruin your expensive furnishings? Or do you want to pay a little more to get the Crypton fabric? I have had clients who drive $200,000 cars who don’t see the value in a couch priced over $1000. Everybody has a different idea of what it’s worth.

So before you’re paralyzed by wondering what this is going to cost you. Start outlining your style. And then start seriously thinking about the value you assign to your furniture. Piece by piece. Room by room. And in Thursday’s blog, I’ll walk you through some actual numbers.

XOXO,

Michelle Lynne

P.S. I am also on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Houzz – where you will find more images that don’t always make the blog or the website.