Budget Decide how much you want to spend and stick to your budget.
Lifestyle Are you a family with kids and pets, or a couple? Choose a sofa style to suit your needs.
Interior style Take photos of your house or apartment with you when shopping. By understanding the common threads of your interior style you'll remain true to your theme.
Visualise Carrying a drawing of your floor plan, which notes the positions of your current furniture, will help you visualise your space properly, knowing what can and can't fit.
Be inspired Browse interior design magazines, books and websites, printing out pictures featuring interiors and furniture you like. Add them to your floor plan and photos, creating a storyboard, or book, of your ideal interior.
Focal point Make a statement. Consider a brightly-coloured sofa or striking antique and paint or wallpaper a feature wall.
Colour correction Use solid colours for big pieces - such as sofas, curtains, rugs, bedspreads and headboards - and patterns for smaller items including throw cushions, curtain tiebacks and seat cushions. Then whenever you want to refresh your interior, all you have to do is change your soft furnishings! Danovel, Tel: 6235 5509, www.treehouse.com.za
Posted Apr 2010
