I have never had an interest in interior decorating, but when my mom was hired to an interior design place, my interest was tweaked a bit. You have different design patterns, different companies that produce fabric, furniture suppliers, etc. You enter that world of interior design and it can be a crazy place. However, I have decided to consult with my mom and see what she had to say about interior design, people's biggest mistake, and her opinion on what fabric goes great with everything in your house. OK, maybe not EVERYTHING in the house, but maybe I can get something out of her.

I asked her what people's biggest mistake is when buying furniture; and it's something that makes sense when she said it. She said: PEOPLE BUY FURNITURE THAT IS TOO BIG FOR THE SPACE. Which means, measure out the room before you go out looking for furniture. Also, measure the furniture when you are looking at pieces. I remember going to a co-workers house once and his house was VERY small. The second I walked into the house, I almost banged my knee on a couch that was practically shoved up to the front door. It has to work in the space, which in this case it didn't. Function and proportion and scale are important in a space.

Here are some tips:

If you buy a sofa, buy the best sofa you can afford. For your sofa, you want a hard wood frame with eight weigh tide springs. It's the most comfortable and will last. A cheap frame won't last. There are warrenties that you can get as well.

Go to furniture stores and sit on different types of cushions

You have to look at style. Do you want traditional, formal, or transitional? Transitional is a popular choice, it's like a contemperary tradional.

You have to look at the cushions.

-Do you want a type back or a loose curtain?

-Do you want a sofa with two cushions, as opposed to three cushions?

Fabric is important - depending on if you have a piece that is put in a formal setting or a piece that is set in your living room or bonus room.

Also, go online and shope around, see what styles you like/criteria. See what brand it is and call a local store and see if they have that specific style or some comperable to that piece that you want.

NEVER EVER BUY ANYTHING WITHOUT SITTING ON IT. Unless they have a comperable cushion that you can try that is the same as you want. The depth and type of cushion is important. Some are made with down that have to be fluffled up constantly, the best is spring blend which keeps it's shape when you sit on it and when you get up.

The sales person should be able to guide you to the company that would have the look that you want.

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Those are just a few tips that one can use to better improve your house. I have put in some links to different websites that pertain to interior design and give put you in the right direction. I hope that it gives you the inspiration. And if there are any questions, please ask.