Design Decisions Worth Spending More Time On
Not every design decision deserves the same amount of energy.
Choosing between two decorative pillows shouldn't take three weeks.
Choosing flooring might.
When a project begins to feel overwhelming, it helps to know which decisions deserve more attention.
Flooring
Flooring influences nearly everything placed above it.
Wall colors, cabinetry, rugs, furniture woods, stone, and textiles all interact with it.
It is also expensive and disruptive to replace.
Take your time.
Cabinetry
Cabinet style, layout, finish, and color have an enormous visual impact—particularly in kitchens.
Don't choose cabinetry based only on what's trending.
Think about the architecture of the home and the materials it needs to coordinate with.
Countertops
A stone sample may contain five colors you didn't notice at first.
Look closely.
Those tiny undertones often become the roadmap for the rest of the room.
Lighting Placement
Fixtures can be changed.
Moving electrical boxes is considerably more annoying.
Think carefully about where lighting is actually needed before focusing exclusively on what the fixtures look like.
The Main Wall Color
If one color travels through large portions of your home, it deserves thoughtful testing.
It will become the backdrop against which dozens of other decisions are viewed.
What Doesn't Need Endless Debate?
The easily changeable things.
Pillows.
Small accessories.
A table lamp.
Decorative objects.
Many pieces of artwork.
Give your attention to the decisions that are permanent, expensive, or visually dominant.
Then allow yourself to have a little more fun with everything else.
Good design isn't about agonizing over every choice.
It's knowing which choices actually deserve the weight.
