It’s a problem most of us have. Whether we inherited an old China cabinet from our great grandmother or a dining set from a relative, we all end up with furniture and decor in our home that we don’t necessarily love, but a story is there. So we end up having a bunch of random, unintentional furniture crowding our home and this is where I find lots of clients get stuck on knowing whether to keep a piece of furniture and work it into the current look, create something new or part ways with the object. So today, let’s chat about the best way to tackle those sentimental pieces in a way that makes sense for your space!
Step one: Ask yourself “Do I like the piece?” If it’s something you hate (or reminds you of someone you are less than fond of) get rid of it. Consider selling it or donating it. If you feel mediocre about it, ask yourself if you would like it if the piece moved to a different room, were to be painted a different color or given a facelift with some fresh hardware. You’d be surprised what you can do with a fresh coat of paint! If you love it but can’t find room for it in your space, try changing the layout or getting rid of something that doesn’t hold sentimental value to free up more space.
Step two: Consider the value of the item. Check places like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace to see what similar items are selling for or if you think you might be sitting on an antique, check with your local antiques dealer or Ebay to get an idea of what the item is worth. You can also do a reverse image search using google, which can be an incredibly helpful tool for finding similar items/checking the value. Knowing what your furniture would sell for can help you make the most informed decision on whether to keep or part ways.
Step three: Always start with the end in mind. With any interior design project, you always want to start by asking yourself “how do I want to feel when I’m in this room?” and let that inform all of your other decisions. If you want your primary bedroom to feel relaxing and like a sanctuary at the end of the day, then every item in that space should contribute to that feeling. If you want a lively and energizing dining room, vibrant for entertaining, then everything from the color of the walls to the furnishings should reflect that.
It can be hard, even emotional, to part with sentimental pieces in our lives, but I hope this gives you confidence to make a decision! Of course, sometimes it just helps to have a trained set of eyes, so if you need a little designer advice, feel free to schedule a design consult by clicking here. Thanks for stopping by!
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