Sunday, March 4, 2012

Furniture Checklist

I've been trolling the internet and Pinterest looking for a comprehensive furniture checklist.  There are lists for baby rooms and first apartments. There are checklists for newlyweds to register for gifts. Isn't there some OCD interior designer who has made an easy to use tool for grown ups?

Then, I stumbled onto inventory software for insurance purposes. You catalog all the things you own in case you have to make an insurance claim.Wouldn't you know it, there is an ap for that. There are mobile versions where you take pictures with your cell phone. There are some free versions (that limit # of photos) and PC packages between $19 -$39. Since we live in Hurricaneville, I will be using one of these pretty soon. But, I needed something more streamlined.

Now, I've run across a printable, sharable, tool that is really thorough.  It is a government brochure made by the Texas Department of Insurance. http://www.tdi.texas.gov/pubs/consumer/cb086.pdf Finally our tax dollars at work on something I like. It is my new favorite toy.  We are filling it in with Adobe and emailing it. I've already printed it on 3 colors and gone highlighter crazy on another.

at the beach in SC with his oldest of 2 children
My (best buddy from middle school) client, Kennedy is moving into a new house with his beautiful family. He is a firefighter and has worked hard to save up to build the new house and budget for new furniture.  I want to help him get the best bang for his buck and in his words "avoid making expensive mistakes."

Problem is, they are in SC and I am in Florida, so I needed a way for he and his Mrs. to inventory what they already have.  They can fill in the fields under "purchase date" with measurements of pieces they have. They can note any pieces that need to be repainted, reupholstered or re-purposed.  I always try to get homeowners to look at what they have with new eyes.

Now we can evaluate and prioritize the pieces they will need to buy. Budgets can look like a big pile of money till you take a good look at all the pieces you really need to buy.  I love this checklist because it includes rugs, lighting and window treatments for each room.  It is easy to overspend on a sofa or huge TV if you forget all the little things that make a room feel finished.

In the price column we are starting with a budget for the new items that need to be added. Then with a little slash, we record what we actually spent.  When we get a great deal on a Craig's list find coffee table, the extra $ can move to the sofa or huge TV.  When I make them custom Roman blinds from Target mini blinds, that savings can go to living room lamps.

We also numbered the whole list. They have photographed the items they have and numbered those photos according to the list when they send them to me. It also keeps it clear when we start to pin pieces in Pinterest. The board allows us both to pin images -- we started with all her old pre-house pins. Ideas for living room chairs will all be #3's. Fabrics for family room curtains will all be tagged with #25.

OK. This is starting to look like inside baseball.  You don't have a client, in another state, trying to furnish a new house.  But I promise, you want to get one of these lists for yourself.

  • for insurance: yes, its actual purpose. Fill it in and email it to yourself, so you can access it from any computer. Use the number system to match up pictures and receipts for all the items in your home.  Store a copy away from your home (in a safety deposit box, at work, with a relative who lives elsewhere).  
  • for planning your own new purchases 
  • for tracking the budget for your project 
  • for recording the measurements of pieces you already own.  Next time you are looking at a big salvaged sign, you'll know the size of your buffet -- it will fit perfectly above it!
  • for staging: mark off items you can remove from a room or re-purpose around your home.
  • for moving: plan which items are going first, which ones are going to storage, which ones can go to yardsale or ebay.
  • if you do have clients, run off one of these sheets (on different color paper) for each one. When you are out shopping it gives you a quick reference on measurements, budgets and overview without lugging around a huge binder.  

Maybe one rainy day I will sit down and make this a pretty printable. In the mean time, this little taxpayer subsidized gem is working just fine.  Hope it helps you get ready for a new project, a bad storm or just get a little more visit ready.

just bec


linking up this idea at:

hookin up with hoh @ house of hepworths  just something i whipped up @ the girl creative  100 ideas under $100 @ beyond the picket fence  strut your stuff @  somewhat simple  thrifty thursday @  tales from bloggeritaville  flaunt it friday @ chic on a shoestring  frugal friday @  the shabby nest  crafty, scrappy happy me @  crafty, scrappy happy   pinspirational thursday @  the artsy girl connection  pity party @  30 handmade days  feathered nest  friday @ french country cottage  freestyle friday @ happy hour projects  featured friday free for all @ five days, five ways  featured friday @ blissful and domestic  anything goes @ bacon time  weekend wrap-up @ tatertots and jello  mad skills party @ mad in craft  sass' sunday salvation show @ sassafrass salvation tip me tuesday @ tip junkie   tutorials & tips @ home stories a2z  tuesday to do @ the blackberry vine  take a look tuesday @ sugar bee crafts  one project at a time @ a bowl full of lemons  your turn, wild wednesday @ chatty chics  show & tell @ blue cricket design

6 comments:

  1. What a lovely printable... Thanks SO much for linking to Pin'Inspirational Thursday.. Sincerely appreciate it.. Wishing you a lovely start to your weekend.. Hope you are back again next week.. ;)) xo~ Marilyn

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  2. What a great project! I so need to do this for my insurance! If you would, consider sharing with my readers at http://sassafrassalvation.blogspot.com/2012/03/sasss-sunday-salvation-show-15.html

    Thanks!

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  3. I really need to do this! Thank you so much for sharing- this post is so informative!! Visiting from Tip Junkie- love to see you around www.bearrabbitbear.com

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  4. thanks for sharing on Serenity Saturday!
    Can't wait to see what you link up later today!

    Natasha xxx

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  5. Ohhhh! This is fabulous! Mom has been on me for years to do this! Now I can easily!
    Melody
    ChattyChics.com

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  6. Thanks you for this write, i m enjoyed thanks you, masko

    ReplyDelete