Picking Out Finishes With Confidence

Often times some of the hardest decisions of a project come when it’s time to decide on allll the little details; the wall tile, the niche tile, the floor tile, the cabinet hardware, the hardware finishes, the light fixtures, their finishes, etc, etc, etc. There is so much DETAIL that goes into crafting a space that flows seamlessly and effortlessly. However, as overwhelming as it can feel, there are things that you can do to stop from experiencing all that “analysis paralysis” and it’s all in setting the scene for your project.

The first thing I like to do whenever I’m starting a project is to make a list of all the things that I need; so if I’m doing a bathroom renovation my list might look something like:

• Floor tile

• Shower tile

• Wall tile

• Niche tile

• Vanity size & finish

• Hardware + finishes

• Lighting + finishes

• Faucet(s)

• Shower Kit

And once I have my list, I use this awesome app called Canva to create a moodboard, basically, a moodboard is the perfect way to see all your materials that you’ve selected in one place. If you’re someone who struggles to envision what your space is going to look like then this app is perfect for you. This is what a typical moodboard for me looks like:

Once you have your moodboard created you can start your product search. And this is where the fun really starts. I am a very hands on person so I like to see my products, touch them, feel them, and put them all together physically before pulling the trigger. This is something helpful that I do with my clients as well. For this, you can either, check out some of your local flooring stores (and even places like Menards, Home Depot, or Lowe’s), ask for assistance there (don’t forget to bring in your moodboard for reference), or shop online at places like TileBar, Floor&Decor, TileShop, etc. A lot of these places will send samples for a small price and it’s totally worth it. Grab an individual hardware piece to throw in the mix too so you can see how the finish looks with your tile samples. And lastly, grab a countertop sample from a local store (most places that sell flooring also sell countertops so you can do a one-stop-shop sort of thing) and bring all these elements together.

Trust me, you will be surprised how much this will help you in the decision process. And if you don’t love what you’re seeing, adjust. Grab a different hardware finish, and even throw in some paint samples to get that perspective as well. And if all else fails, call me! We can do a quick virtual consultation and I can help confirm or adjust your current selection with a simple 15-30 minute video chat! It’s truly that simple!

Don’t be afraid of trial and error! Think of this as something that’s an adventure. There is no right or wrong, just go with what makes you feel good! And in the meantime if you’re struggling to find the right paint color, I’m sharing all my go to neutral white paints over here and my all time favorite moody paint colors over here.