When it comes to creating a home that is both unique and beautiful, the first step is to identify your style. My favorite way to do this is by looking up interior design inspiration on Pinterest and choosing what speaks to you. Saving the photos or creating a mood board can help identify what you like. It is a great way to find inspiration for specific pieces that suit your taste. Once we know where we are headed with our design, we can begin the search for high-quality, one-of-a-kind pieces for your home.
Laurel’s Tips on How to Find One-of-a-Kind Pieces for Your Home
- Keep the Overall Theme in Mind
- Bring the Inspiration with You
- Find Quality Pieces
- Avoid Amazon (I know, Sorry!)
- Treasure Hunting Mindset
A’las, we’ve made it to the furniture selection phase of the design process! While this phase can be exciting and fun, the overwhelming amount of options can make it difficult to choose a direction. That is why keeping the overall theme in mind can be so helpful when selecting pieces. It is easy to go online and get sucked into the lastest, “hot-selling” items on Google or your Instagram feed. I recommend inventing a catch phrase that nails your inspiration for the space. Something like “Airy oasis on Greek seaside” or “Moody Queen Reading Nook” is an example of how short phrases can be helpful when trying to create a specific mood.
Moreover, bring your mood board or inspiration photos when shopping. Sometimes what we see in the store looks better on the shelf than it necessarily would in your desired design. That’s okay, but having photos to reference can help you focus on purchasing the right pieces and avoid spending excess money and time. The pieces you select do not need to match your inspiration photos perfectly, but remember that a good design comes together cohesively, is functional, aesthetically pleasing, and timeless. I think it’s also important to note that sometimes the eye likes a space just because it is well-designed, even if it doesn’t reflect our style. Focus on finding a style that feels authentic to you when choosing mood board photos.
Finding quality pieces is fundamental to good design. Oftentimes, when I say quality, people think of higher costs. While that can be true, there are many ways to find quality pieces of furniture on a budget. Some of my favorite case goods have been found at furniture thrift stores, estate sales, and Facebook Marketplace. I love finding steals and getting high-quality, solid wood furniture at a fraction of the cost.
My next tip: avoid Amazon. It is easy to click the link and find the latest trending home decor on Amazon, TikTok, Instagram, etc. However, if your goal is to curate a one-of-a-kind space, then it is an absolute NO! It’s trendy and it’s cheap, but it is not high-quality, timeless, or sustainable.