First time furnishing mistake & how to avoid it

We've all been there...

There's something just so exciting about moving out of home or into a new place for the first time! Exciting new furnishings to buy to try to fill every wall, floor or corner. 

The problem we have with buying everything at once is; the money, lack of research and compensating what you really want for something that 'will do' for the moment. You're going to end up with a home cluttered with things that you don't love or want to replace within a year.

Tip #1: Buy only the essentials! And by essentials I mean, a mattress, some sort of landing space to eat a meal off, maaaaaybe a sofa and an empty box for a side table. The rest can wait.

Tip #2: Research! Look through magazines, go to stores, check out your local classifieds, antique stores, etc. Open all of your options to start your elimination process. Say you've found a dresser for $5,000 on a boutique website. Image search for similar items. You may even find one that you like better and it's cheaper! In saying that, you don't have to do the research if your heart is completely set on that dresser. Go get it!

Tip #3: Furnish your bedroom FIRST. Your bedroom is your little hideaway, your sanctuary. By furnishing this room straight off the bat, you will feel more calm, have a sense of residence in your new dwelling and have a better night's sleep. 

Tip #4: Furnish ONE room at a time. Yes, we get excited and want to furnish the lot. It pains us to see the other rooms empty and bleak. By furnishing one room at a time, you will feel more complete knowing that you can focus on the next project and not feel like the whole home is an unfinished novel.