Maybe you are one of those consumers, or getting close, here are some tips on how to choose your next sofa wisely.

Before you buy, be sure to read the fine print in the warranty. Note what is included and how long the company guarantees the product.  You can also do some online research to look for reviews from customers who have bought from the manufacturer and see how the ratings stack up.

Many mainstream furniture manufacturers now a days are bringing the fashion-forward looks consumers see in magazines and designer showrooms onto retail floors-but at much more affordable prices.  Although these sofas may be more affordable, take a minute to really look at the quality of the stitching and frame work to make certain it will last at least 10 years.

Many times you may find a sofa that you like in a furniture store, but it’s not just the right size, or have the fabric you would like. This is when working with your interior designer can help you get the sofa you want. Your designer will create a drawing and find fabrics for you to choose, get you a quote and have the sofa custom made to your specifications.

There are many styles of sofas, finding your style is easy! But remember comfort is key.

Custom white sofa sectional

There are a number of high-end standards that mean more than just good looks. Down, for instance, is a great indicator of quality and comfort. Down-proof ticking used in pillows and seat backs adds a desirable “crinkle” effect upon sitting. Choosing down-blend seat cushions will provide an even more luxurious sit. Soft padded outside arms and back also add to the overall comfort of the piece.

If you want a sofa to make a great visual impression for years to come, look for the following cues.

Deep decking (the fabric under the seat cushions) to ensure that only the sofa’s primary fabric is revealed when sitting. Six inches is ideal.

Welting (the cotton cord covered with fabric that is sewn along the seams of the upholstered frame and cushions) that is straight and free of puckers.

Skirts that hang smoothly with crisp corners.

Fabric patterns that are matched seat to cushion and to back to frame.

Make a statement!

A special place

The more your new sofa speaks to your personal style, the more likely it will stand the test of time.

Fun color with pillows

You should put your furniture to the “sit” test before you buy. This test is the best and simplest way to judge the overall comfort of any sofa or chair.

Buy your sofa from a reputable furniture dealer, or a reputable furniture maker,  one that has been recommended by colleagues, family, friends or your interior designer.

A place to relax

Sleek Stainless Steel Modern Kitchen

In deciding on how to design your kitchen, ask yourself these questions: Will your kitchen have an island?  Will it be modern or traditional design?  What kinds of appliances will I  need for my new kitchen design? What kind of lighting design?

Kitchens have evolved a lot over the years.  Once found only in the rear of the house, today’s kitchen design takes the kitchen out the background.  The challenge for kitchen design is in creating a more open-faced kitchen, that is part of a dining area, a family room or a great room.

In deciding on how to design your kitchen, you must take into consideration such things as: will your kitchen have an island?  Will it be of a modern or traditional design?  What kinds of appliances will you need for your new kitchen design?   What kind of lighting design?

Kitchen as ‘Great Room’

Open Space Kitchen Connects to Great Room

Whether you are redesigning an existing kitchen or planning a new kitchen in a new home there are some design considerations to keep in mind, such as including in an island or peninsula as part of the kitchen design.  These can be used to connect the kitchen to a nearby dining area or family room thereby creating a ‘great room’.   A kitchen island or peninsula will allow the cook to keep in visual and conversational contact with family members or guests in the adjoining family or dining room.

Using Kitchen Cabinet Color to Set Tone of Kitchen Design

Colorful Lacquer Kitchen Cabinets

Kitchen cabinets will help set the tone for the whole room. The choice of wood will influence the overall look of your cabinets.  To create a light look, use a light wood such as ash, beech, birch, oak, maple, or chestnut.  For medium range, select cherry.  To darker kitchens, choose wood that has some color to it. To make it even bolder, try a lacquer for the modern look.

 Use of Cabinets and Drawers in The New Kitchen Design

Sleek Storage Spaces for Small Kitchen

Plan out in the kitchen design blueprint just how your cabinets and drawers will be used and how much space and storage is needed before you start your kitchen design. The first thing to examine is the counter surface area.  Look at where you put everything in your existing kitchen and where in your new kitchen design will these items will go in the new space.  Will there be more than one person cooking at a time? If so, will there be enough room for two cooks in the kitchen to work together side by side?

The Galley-Type Kitchen Design

Modern Style Gallery Kitchen

As for counter arrangements, many kitchen designers agree the galley-type design to be the best in terms of efficiency with it’s single aisle and counters to either side, making it easy to turn around to go from sink to cooking range.

Under-Cabinet Kitchen Lighting

Kitchen lighting can be an overlooked area of kitchen design.  Even if the kitchen has generally good lighting, the counter areas can be somewhat dark.  For these areas under-cabinet lighting can help provide more light to work in.  By using simple spots or fluorescent lights a smaller kitchen can be made to look larger.

Looking at Countertops

Granite,http://www.arizonatile.com/Granite-C127.aspx marble, and limestone are all popular natural materials for use in countertops and are available in many colors.  Ceramic tile kitchen countertops are versatile, practical, and also available in many colors, as well as many shapes, patterns, and finishes.  Solid surface countertops provide seamless acrylic faces.  Solid surfaces also come in almost limitless colors, patterns, and styles, and are stain and heat resistant.   Concrete countertops are known for versatility, as well as strength. Caesarstone http://www.caesarstoneus.com/gallery/ultra-modern/ are a quartz composite material that have many choices of colors and styles. They are bacteria resistant and extremely durable.  Wood countertops are long lasting and easy to clean and repair but the wood will not withstand exposure to water and household chemicals as well, unless covered with a good protectant.  Stainless steel countertops http://www.stainlessliving.com/ are great for the modern industrial feel.

Studies have suggested that redesigning your bathroom could seriously increase the value of your home, and whether you’re interested in a complete overhaul or you just want a fun design your guests will love, exploring some of today’s hottest bathroom designs might be the update you were looking for. Before you begin thinking about what kind of bathroom you want, though, you might want to take a look at where we’ve been.

Indoor Plumbing

Bathrooms weren’t always the luxurious getaway we think of nowadays. At one time, a simple hole in the ground was all most people needed. As our lives began to revolve around our homes, though, outhouses (essentially a shed built over a hole in the ground) became part of everyday life. Historians have suggested that some of these structures were really quite extensive. The point was always to keep the structure close enough to the house to be convenient, yet far enough away to minimize the smell. All of them had walls and a roof of some kind to offer a level of privacy, and while most were square or rectangular in nature, a few people got creative. It has been rumored that Thomas Jefferson had two octagonal outhouses at his vacation house. In the most luxurious cases, they were built from brick and included more than one seat.

As technology progressed, indoor plumbing became a requirement, and by the 1900s, all new construction homes in urban areas included nice bathrooms with a toilet, sink, and tub. It wasn’t until the late nineteen-forties, however, that almost every existing home in the United States had been retrofitted to include indoor toilets, and in many cases, these were rather simple affairs. In some situations, they were a mere toilet in a closet instead of the extensive rooms we think of today. After World War I, colored tile became fairly popular, and more bathrooms were becoming a focus of design instead of just a useful feature in a home. As more décor-based changes were made, so too were novelty elements introduced. Over time, bathrooms grew in size, and these days, most are surprised to look at the tiny size of yesterday’s bathrooms.

Your Choices

If you’re considering an update to your bathroom, the chances are good you’ll want to go with today’s modern styles. Since “Green” has become the zeitgeist of the century, you may want to incorporate some of those aspects into your choices. Often you can find eco-friendly fixtures, recycled tiles, and even wheatboard cabinetry to help green your bathroom. (Wheatboard is comparable to particle board composed of small fibers glued together to make a larger board. It is made from straw, the stalk of a cereal plant after the grain or seed has been removed) If you’re more concerned about style than the planet, though, you’ll want to look at your options pretty extensively. Vessel sinks with water spouting faucets buried in the wall make a beautiful statement, and you can even put a direct vent fireplace in if you have enough room. Before you make any firm choices, though, you may want to consult with an interior designer to look at some photos and products that can help you create a solid design plan you’ll love.

Copyright – Judy Goldwater & Innovative Room Design 2011

Your Budget Is Key

Any project starts with a basic budget, and whether you have enough money to redesign your entire home or you just have enough for a quick bedroom makeover, you can’t get started until you’ve taken the time to think about how much you want to spend. Because the sky is truly the limit with interior design, consider how much you can realistically set aside for the project. Don’t forget to think about every aspect involved. Skipping important, yet small, expenses like the cost of paint brushes, drop cloths, or even throw pillows could really throw off the whole project. Moreover, reaching your maximum budget in the middle of implementation might leave the project incomplete, giving you less than stellar results. Start with a number, and ensure every aspect of your plan fits within that number.

Take A Look At Other Projects

As you begin to think about what you want, don’t hesitate to look at what other people are doing. Often we get our best inspiration as the result of a seed planted in our minds from another person’s ideas, and there are lots of great ways to fire up your imagination. Design magazines or the Homes section of your local paper are one good place to start. Understanding what others around your area and around the country are doing may help you better define your goals. A trip to an interior designer’s shop may also help. There you can look at samples of all kinds to better understand what is available to you. Online photos may also help. Many interior designers have fairly extensive galleries on site, and design forums typically have a place where users can post pictures of their latest projects. All of these can add up to big ideas for you.

Define Your Needs – Decorating or Design

After you  understand what you have to spend and you have some ideas, it’s time to start defining exactly what you want to do. If you want to change the design of a room or your entire home, you’re working with the carpeting, the tile, and the overall look of the room. It could even involve remodeling at some point. If you just want to change the décor, you’re working on a topical level. You may add some new furniture, change some of the pictures on the wall, or work with the color scheme a bit. If you are going the design route, you may want to consult with a professional interior designer. Because your project will be more extensive than a simple redecoration, you could make some costly mistakes if you don’t connect with a professional at the outset.

Finding The Materials

When you start to put your project into motion, it’s time to start shopping, and there are lots of great ways to get the materials you need, even if you’re on a budget. Take a look at closeout shops to get some good deals on great new merchandise many of the larger brands no longer consider part of their current product lines. Consider treasure hunting in antique shops or flea markets to get some great prices on used pieces that you can restore. Don’t forget about places like estate sales and moving sales as you shop. Online options like auctions and Craigslist may also give you a few other places to look.

Finishing the Project

The materials are the key, and once you have those in hand, you’re ready to move to the finishing stages. Begin pulling your idea together one step at a time, and you’ll have a room you love.

Copyright – Judy Goldwater & Innovative Room Design 2011

Thinking about making some changes to your home, but you’re not sure if your budget can accommodate the interior designer’s hourly rate? Consider this: choosing not to hire professional help may actually cost you more in the long run. Here are just a few reasons why.

I’ve Got a Great Idea!

Sometimes your great ideas can be a disaster. As amazing as the idea may look in the landscape of your mind, pumpkin orange walls with black floor tile and a centralized wet bar in your den might not look quite as cool as you thought when you try to bring it together. An interior designer is trained to understand which concepts will work well in your home and which ones just aren’t going to fly once you begin implementing them. While you may find that your interior designer is really open to creative concepts, he or she can also help you spot the pitfalls in your idea before you spend your entire budget on those cool black floor tiles.

This Piece Will Look Fabulous
Sure, it’s an amazing old wardrobe with a lot of history, and it might make a good place to store your LCD TV when you’re not using it, but what if it’s too big for the room? Because you’re buying it at a flea market, you can’t simply return it if it won’t fit through your door, and if it takes up half of the room, you’re not going to like it at the end of the process. Working with an interior designer, though, will ensure you get some of the best pieces you can find AND that each one will work with the overall design scheme of the room.

I Know This Guy . . .
Sure, the contractor you’re thinking about may be a friend of that guy you talk to at the water cooler every morning, but who is going to foot the bill when the construction is shoddy or doesn’t quite meet your expectations. Interior designers often have prearranged contracts with some of the best in the business, so whether you need paint services, a plumber, or an amazing cabinet design maker, you’re certain to get exactly the style you’re looking for at a great price thanks to your interior designer. What’s more is that your designer can predict exactly how the work will look once it’s finished – something that guy at the water cooler simply can’t offer you.

This Will Solve All Of My Problems
Adding this shelf or that piece of furniture may seem like the ideal solution to the problem, but a designer can offer you a more permanent resolution without expensive stop gap measures to a given design issue. Based on extensive experience with rooms just like the one you’re working on, you’ll get reasonable ideas that may save money in the long run.
Interior designers can simplify your project while incorporating all of the features that will look best with your home. They’ll work with you to get the right look without a lot of extra costs.

Copyright – Judy Goldwater & Innovative Room Design 2010