We’ve all done it–we get so excited about starting a new project that we see on Pinterest that we blindly run out to Lowes, Hobby Lobby, Ikea and Home Goods and buy what we think we’re going to need, only to realize that we’ve spent $300 on stuff that doesn’t fit the space, doesn’t coordinate with the rest of the stuff we bought and doesn’t look anything like what we pictured in our head. So how did we go so wrong? Well, maybe it’s because we didn’t make a plan first which for me means creating a DIY vision board.
I am definitely guilty of doing this so after many failed and costly DIY projects I finally realized that I needed to plan my work and work my plan.
Being a very visual person, I like to use Photoshop or Polyvore to create a “vision board” of what I would like the space I’m working on to look like once I’m done. I am currently working on my “cloffice” {closet/office} so I created a vision board of what I want my cloffice to look like once I’m done. Now, having said that, I know that it’s not going to look exactly like what I created on my vision board, but it does give me a road map of what I need to purchase instead of guessing.
When using Photoshop, I like to “shop” the aisles of Pinterest for pictures of items I think would look good in the space I am working on. I save each picture and then open them in Photoshop to create my collage. I don’t have a color printer but I print the finished collage anyway so I can make notes on it with any measurements or quantities I may need of an item. I also email the collage to myself and save the picture on my phone so I also have a color photo to go by when I’m out shopping.
The finished collage below was created using Photoshop-
If you don’t have access to Photoshop or are not sure how to use Photoshop, Polyvore is a very simple and free tool to use to create your DIY vision board. My DIY linen closet vision board you see below was created using Polyvore.
I hope this helps you when you’re planning your next DIY project. For me, it has been a life-saver. It has saved me time, money and my sanity!
Leave me a comment below letting me know how you plan your DIY projects. Are you a planner or a wing-it kinda person?
xoxo, Sherri
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