The furniture in the living room, bedroom or other space in the house is getting old, and it's time to think about buying something new. Carol Brademas of Interiors, Etc., in Mishawaka, has some sound advice. "You really need to have a plan."

It's not the best idea, Brademas continued, to head out to a furniture showroom and make a purchase without considering the size of the room, the color scheme and other essentials. "It's smart to go and browse, to acquaint one's self with trends and what's available," but the best way to not get boxed into a corner by purchasing the wrong size sofa or unsuitable wood pieces, is to consult an interior designer.

"You don't want to start buying piece meal," noted Brademas.

There are many factors to consider when it comes to redoing furnishings, she stated. An interior designer will want to know "how you want to use the room." Will there be a lot of entertaining, or will it be a more private space? There can be a vast difference in how furnishings will be selected, dependent on those choices.

Another element of redoing a room involves "what colors make you feel good," according to Brademas. There may be a piece of furniture someone wants to keep, while discarding everything else. A design can be created around that. Or, it may be a case of starting from scratch.

An interior designer will need to take measurements of the room, and then will draw the room to scale. With a furniture floor plan, it is possible to see how much space certain pieces will occupy. Colors can play a role in this phase, to see what blends well in the room.

Deciding on the style of furniture can be determined at this stage. It's no longer a case where it's required to choose an entirely Early American look, country, or contemporary. Using an eclectic mix of furnishings can work well, but Brademas recommends being careful. Some styles don't go well together. "That's when it's really important to consult an interior designer."

The furnishings are not the only part of a room that needs to be changed, either. Rose Ann Aeschleman of Draperies, Etc., in Mishawaka, works closely with Brademas and other interior designers to coordinate how window treatments will add to a room's new look. When it comes to adjusting the lighting in a room, Aeschleman has observed, "Mini blinds are the best light control there is."

Besides mini blinds, though, draperies can be styled to fit a room's decor, using fabric which accents the upholstery. "We can do country style, or very formal draperies," said Aeschleman. "Or we can do something very contemporary."

With a creative drapery design, small windows can be made to look larger. Rooms which may have few windows may be made to look like they have more, by mounting a set of draperies on a blank wall.

The color of the walls, or use of wallpaper, and even the accessories selected to highlight the room are all important when moving forward with a change of furnishings. "Without the right accessories, a room falls flat," Brademas remarked.

Many furniture showrooms have interior designers on staff, for customers to consult. It is possible to consult independent designers for a reasonable hourly fee. "It actually saves people money in the end," concluded Brademas.