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Making the Right Design Choice – Part 2 July 22, 2010

Posted by Shannonbilby in : Hints and Tips , add a comment

Many people find that they can make the broad brush decisions on their home design options, but get stumped when they get to the final choices. What can you do to shake off the confusion and really be sure you are selecting the right option for you? Let’s take a look at two approaches that can help you with your decisions.

What do you do if you can’t narrow your choices far enough to really compare them easily? If you are sitting on more than five or six options, it’s almost impossible to really evaluate each one. This is the time to use the divide and decide approach. Group all your options in sets of two, and for each set choose the one you like the best. When you’re only comparing two, it’s much easier to make a selection. Make those decisions and suddenly you’ve cut your possibles in half. Just make sure to ask your salesperson to whip those eliminated options out of your sight so you don’t start second-guessing yourself.

If you’re down to three or four options and find yourself stuck, use the reverse decision tactic. Instead of deciding on the one you want, pick one to eliminate. By reversing your thinking to consider the choices you like the least, you end up with more insight into what you really want. When you discover which one you really can’t let go of – that’s your best choice!

For part 1 this series, click here.

Making the Right Design Choice – Part 1 July 14, 2010

Posted by Shannonbilby in : Hints and Tips , add a comment

Are you ready to jump into making flooring choices but aren’t sure where to start? The process can be fun or frustrating, depending on how you approach it. Let’s consider a couple of tactics to make your selection process more straightforward.

First, if possible narrow your choices before you start shopping. Do you feel you have enough information to decide whether you want tile, wood or carpet in the various areas of your home? If so, make those choices and determine a preliminary budget before you start shopping. Just like shopping for a pair of black pants rather than just wandering through a clothing store, the more defined your mission the easier it is to make just the right choice.

If you don’t feel you have the information you need, start your shopping expedition by sitting down with your salesperson and figuring out what you want, drawing on our knowledge of each type of flooring. With that and your budget, you can quickly eliminate most of the options and focus on those that fit your profile.

Finally, don’t get drawn away from your efforts by other items on display. With the wealth of choices available today, it’s easy to get distracted by other options. However, you will have a better experience if you focus on your goals. There will be plenty of wonderful choices for you within your parameters.

Creating Your Own “White Box” to Help Your Flooring Decision July 6, 2010

Posted by Shannonbilby in : Design and Decorating , add a comment

Are you an HGTV addict? If you are not a fan, Home & Garden Television offers programs on decorating, home improvement and design. “Design Star,”  is HGTV’s reality program that pits 12 designers in a contest to win an opportunity to develop their own show. After watching the first episode from this season, it made sense that you could use one of their concepts to make choosing flooring easier.

Are you ready to take a chance and consider a dramatic shift in your home but don’t know where to start? Well, it’s difficult to make a change when faced with all of your old decisions in a room. Let’s clear out most of your old choices to leave the door open for new ones.

Start by removing all the accessories from the room. Lamps, small tables and chairs go next. Are there larger pieces that you are ready, or almost ready, to replace? Cover them with white sheets. Now you’ve created your own version of a white room. You’re down to the room’s bones, without any distracting elements taking your attention away from the possibilities of the room itself.

Now that you’ve cleared the space, take a walk through it, considering every angle. Are there features you almost forgot were there? Are there wonderful windows, or possibly an appealing fireplace to warm the space? Play with any photos you may have saved of flooring from magazines, or lay out any samples you have. Picture light and darker floors, and consider what appeals to you most.

Next, take pictures of the room from every angle, and bring them with you to the store when you select your new flooring. It will be so much easier to imagine the floor with those photos in your hand. Keep the accessories packed up until your new floor is installed, then replace each item, considering whether you want to keep it, and where to put everything. In some ways by doing this you actually get to start over, with your own white box to decorate any way you want.

If you aren’t ready to do heavy lifting, you could always try out virtual room designer, here!.