Woo-wee, it was hard to come up with a design-related item for ‘Q!’ I had to get creative (and used my mom as a source), and I’ve decided that ‘Q’ stands for Questions. I’m often asked interior design questions, so I’ve chosen the top 3 most-asked questions and I’m providing my insight! Here it goes…

1. What should I look for when buying furniture at a thrift store, yard sale, or consignment store?

Make sure anything you buy, whether it’s furniture, clothing, or any other items, is of good quality. When purchasing furniture at a thrift store or other discount place, make sure to try the item out. If it’s a chair, sit in it and make sure it’s comfortable. Check to make sure the upholstery is good and the springs aren’t popping up through the fabric.

Make sure that anything with legs (chairs, tables, etc.) doesn’t wobble or shake. If it’s a bit loose, make sure a simple tightening of the screws will fix this problem. Don’t spend a lot of money on anything made of particle board or plastic. While they may be inexpensive, they can also be cheaply made and will eventually need to be replaced. Spend your money wisely now and go for quality pieces with “good bones” (pretty lines, solid foundation, etc.).

If you have any doubts about a piece, don’t buy it!

Photo from Mr-Robert.com

2. What do you think is the cheapest way to make a room look better and different?

Paint, paint, paint! It’s AMAZING what paint can do for both a room and a piece of furniture. My all-time favorite thing to do is to take a boring, run of the mill piece of furniture and spray paint it in a bright color. The piece instantly looks brand new and exciting! The same goes for a room. Paint the whole room a new color or, if you’re feeling a bit hesitant about painting the whole place, pick one wall to paint and allow it to serve as your accent wall. You’ll be amazed at how just one coat of paint can completely transform the look and feel of a space.

Photo from Moroccan Mayam

3. What should every room have in it as part of its decor?

Art work! No matter what type of art work you admire (finger paintings done by your children, Ansel Adams photographs, or idyllic garden scenes), make sure to display it in all of your spaces. Art work adds warmth to a space and allows your personality to shine in a room. If you live in a place where you’re not permitted to paint the walls, hanging art work can be the next best solution. Hang photos or paintings with a common subject matter together to create a gallery wall or lean art work on bookshelves or your mantle. The opportunities are endless!

Photo from Simply Seleta