How to Source Furniture and Decor for Your Home
The process of finding pieces of furniture and decor for your home is called sourcing in the design world. It sounds fancy, but at the end of the day, it’s just a methodical way of shopping to weave together a cohesive, well-designed space.
Before we dive into the how, let me offer you one piece of advice - shop your house first! You may have some pieces that you can pull from other rooms or that you have stored away that will work beautifully. Starting there will free up your budget a little bit too so you can dedicate more of it to other pieces.
All right! Now let’s hop into how to source.
Shop smart online.
First, do a little research to figure out which retailers carry pieces that match your style. I’m guessing you already have some go-to spots, but it’s always good to find some new ones. This will help you create a home that has a collected, unique look. Take a look through my list of favorites to get you started!
Another way to cast a wide net and find new sources is to use Google Shopping. This is my secret weapon to covering a lot of ground in a short amount of time. As you use it, it also gets smarter and shows you items that align with previous searches. The more specific you can be with your search keywords, the better your results will be. For example, don’t just search “side table,” but rather “black modern farmhouse side table.” Since Google is crawling ALL of the web to render those results, help it out by describing exactly what you need.
As you find pieces that you like, do a deep dive on their specs - dimensions, material, finish options, etc. to make sure they’re a good fit for your space. And when possible, read reviews thoroughly! It’s one of your best resources to make a good buying decision, especially if you can’t see something in person. Even if you do have an opportunity to lay eyes on it, see if you can look over reviews online to see what others have said about it.
The next step, like I talked about in the lesson about making a plan, is to add an image of that piece to your mood board to see how it fits in with the overall design. If it’s a winner? Add the link to your Budget and Item Tracker spreadsheet. Check that off your list and move onto the next piece!
Shop local too!
You don’t have to stop at sourcing just from online retailers though - antique malls, vintage shops, local furniture stores, etc. can be amazing resources as well. Some of my favorite pieces that add a unique spin on my home are from a local antique mall.
Shopping these requires a little bit of a different approach since you never know what you’re going to find though. My best advice is to have an idea of what you’re looking for before you go, so write down what you need specifically including the colors and its ideal dimensions. Then, when you’re out, you can focus on finding something that fits those criteria. Sometimes you get lucky the first time, and other times it takes a few tries!
In terms of what pieces to prioritize sourcing first, I always like to choose one or two “stars” that will form the foundation for the look and feel of the room, and then go from there. Usually it’s one of the larger pieces of furniture like a sofa, bed, or rug. If you find a great pillow or textile that you want to use as your guide though, go for it. Enjoy the process and take your time!
