When it comes to shopping for home decor, it can easily get overwhelming! Now that more people are shopping online—and home decor stores both big and small are heavily promoting their e-commerce stores—you have more choices when it comes to stores for your home decor needs.

The result? You risk decision fatigue, also known as an inability to make a decision when faced with too many options.

In this article, we share ideas for home decor shopping with an easy guide you can follow. So, take charge of your home decor project by making it less stressful and much more organized and enjoyable!

Step 1: Organize Your Home Decor Ideas In a Mood Board

There are several interior design styles that will pique your interest. However, while it is fine to mix a few styles, going overboard by putting together everything you fancy can result into a cluttered, disorganized look. 

Creating a mood board is a great starting point. Pinterest is of course the most popular platform for this as you can pin and combine pegs for the look that you want. You can even create separate mood boards for various parts of your home.

Apart from pinning full photos of spaces that feature an aesthetic you love, include images of individual furniture pieces, decorative items, color swatches, and even textures.  And remember, you need not limit yourself to interior design photos. You may also take design inspiration from film, fashion, and art. See a colorful hand-woven dress that you like? Use it as the inspiration for a vibrant color palette with tribal patterns.

Step 2: Curate the Items You Need In a List 

Now that you are settled on a particular interior design style, it’s time to list down the items you need. This is no different from writing down a grocery list. By listing what you need, you can properly itemize every single piece to add to your shopping cart, make sure all bases are covered, and better manage your budget.

Here is a sample shopping list for a dining room:

• table linens

• placemats and chargers

• dinnerware (plates, bowls, fork, cutlery, serving spoons and forks)

• lighting (overhead light, decorative candles, floor lamp)

• organizers (trays, fruit bowls)

• wall art (paintings, functional art, mirrors)

• area rugs

• drapery

• other decorative pieces (vases, plants)

Another tip to avoid inevitably purchasing items you do not need? Assess the room that you are decorating. Are there existing pieces you can repurpose or re-arrange? Do you have other items in storage that can add more character to the space? Not everything needs to be brand new! In fact, when you use existing pieces, including meaningful items such as travel souvenirs or family photos, you can avoid the “showroom look.” At the end of the day, your home should be a personal expression of who you are, through the things you love!

Lastly and as a matter of practicality, don’t forget to take measurements of the parts of your home where you intend to place a decorative piece or furniture item. 

Step 3: Research Stores That Carry The Item 

This can be done both online and offline. But since several home decor shops now have an online store, you can now safely check out the pieces they have. Next, add the item to your “wishlist” (you can shortlist later) or manually list them and take screenshots—whichever method works best for you.

Sometimes you will find stores carrying the same item. Make sure to compare prices to get the best deal. But also be wary of any negative customer reviews to save yourself from delayed deliveries and other service no-nos.

Unsure of an item? Enlist a friend whose taste you trust to provide a second opinion. Another tip is to go back to that piece the following day, and assess if you still feel the same way about it. 

Lastly, remember the measurements you took? Make sure that the items in your list are sufficiently-sized for your space. For example, if you plan to buy a new area rug for the dining room, double check if the dimensions are larger than the footprint of your dining set.

Step 3: Shortlist 

Take time to further refine the items in your shopping list. Give your list one more look to ensure that nothing has been missed out, but also to keep your budget in check. 

As a final money-saving tip, if you are re-purchasing from a store you regularly frequent, check if you have any rewards points that can be used to save more on your purchase. And if there are any planned sitewidesales, check out on the dates covered by the promo.

Now you can check out that cart and get started with decorating your home!

If you need professional guidance in curating home decor items and art pieces for your home, contact us at www.jasanchetainteriors.com.