44. Do Your Research
Many people make the mistake of finding something cute on Home Goods or Target and buying many things. But then they go home and don’t even know where to put these. Sound familiar? Before embarking on redecorating your home, do your research before you spend. Find out exactly what you’re looking for and set your budget. Create a realistic mood board by printing photos and using fabric patterns. You can create a digital Pinterest board or use Photoshop to layout your ideas in one place.
Research is also coming out when you are trying to design a historic home. Browse photos of local real estate listings to see what original features are still intact from homes made during that period. And if you can find the names of the architects of larger historic buildings in your local area, you can research that person’s style. People will often take inspiration from more lavish homes in their local area and seek to make them more affordable. This research process can be exciting and deeply satisfying if you are trying to recover a historic asset.