What’s on your home wishlist today?

Ask yourself: What’s missing or broken or annoying about the space? Think about how you use it, what’s lacking. If you’re going to be successful, you need to understand what job this piece of furniture needs to accomplish. Write down the answer to “I wish I could ___ in this room.” For example, if you’re trying to declutter your entryway, maybe you’re looking for a place to drop your keys and mail. If you’re working on improving lighting in the family room, you may be looking for an arched floor lamp to shine a bit of light into the corner. If it’s a living room that’s lacking personality, maybe you’re looking for an accent chair in your favorite fabric. Whatever the piece is, it’s important to understand how you’ll be using it first, before you consider color and style.

Can you solve the problem using what’s on hand? Can you get away without a purchase altogether? Think about what you own that’s underused elsewhere that could be a perfect fit. That lamp in your spare bedroom might work much harder beside your living-room chair.

Once you’ve identified the item you’re shopping for, consider style. What makes it appealing to you? Narrow down specifics, not generalities. Instead of thinking “A narrow entry table”, ask yourself what appeals to you about it. Is it the brass feet? Or maybe it’s a live-edge slab. Try to identify what makes it special. Imagine removing all of the beautifully styled staging around the item. Would it still be appealing, just on its own? Does it go well with what you own? Of course, you’re allowed to buy things you love for no reason. Just make sure you know where it’ll go in your home.

Measure the space you have for the piece, keeping in mind anything else that may be in the vicinity, for example, if it’s going against a wall, leave room to open drawers or leave room to plug in lamps. How will it get into your home? Will you need to take the legs off? Can it make the turns on the staircase? Does it fit on the elevator? For tables, think about where you’ll walk. Lay down some painter’s tape or butcher paper, or other temporary, floor-friendly material, and walk around it. Will you bump into it with your hips?

For lighting, make sure you’re shopping for the right kind of lighting. Is it plug-in or hardwired? If it’s plug-in, where will the cord go? Don’t trust the cord is magically disappearing in that beautifully styled picture. Check the dimensions against the wall space you measured.

Instead of searching for a narrow entry table, search for “A wood entry table no deeper than 12 inches, under $250, with a drawer for keys”. Include materials. Set maximums for height/width/depth and budget. Describe features you want in plain language such as “open bookcase with a drawer”. You can describe the colors you like in your search.

It’s tempting to click on an item, select a size and color and buy. But you’ll save yourself grief and extra expense if you take a minute to make sure you’re getting what you think you’re getting. How many pieces are included? Some tables come with chairs and some don’t. Some lighting fixtures come with bulbs and some don’t. What color or finish have I selected? Some products offer a range of finishes at additional costs. Does it need to be assembled? How difficult is assembly? Are there additional pieces I want to consider? Cushion covers, coordinating chairs, decorative feet, etc. How much will it cost to ship? Don’t be caught off guard by hefty shipping charges. Can it be returned? What if it doesn’t look good in person? What’s the return process? What will it cost to return? How do I clean it? Make sure you’re ok with the materials and how to maintain them. How much will everything cost altogether? Make sure to factor in add-ons and shipping.