Good design takes time, or so the adage goes, but what about those can't pass them up moments where you need to decide on the spot? What if it's a big decision? How do you make sure you don't walk away with regrets or- worse yet, a big piece that won't fit through the front door?

Many of my favorite purchases have happened this way, and the pressure can be intense; if it's a large item, a lot of money, or non-returnable, even more so. Flea markets, Craigslist finds, popular designer collaborations (I'm looking at you, Studio McGee for Target), Instagram rug sales, original art, and sample sales are all some of my favorite ways to score amazing deals and one of a kind pieces. However, they all have this in common- if you walk away from it, don't expect it to be there still when you come back.

So how do you make sure you don't end up with buyer's remorse but also don't walk away from the perfect piece? Here are a few of my favorite tips.

1. Get familiar with your tape measure. If there is just one piece of advice that I would give to anyone, it's this. Seriously. Measure everything. If you're headed somewhere like the flea market or a sample sale, keep a note with all the relevant measurements for your home handy and bring a tape measure with you. Don't forget to add in the clearances you need to get items in your home, too- that perfect vintage Chesterfield sofa might fit into your living room, but if it can't make it from the hallway into your living room, that's a whole other problem.

2. Figure out the color scheme for your home. Sometimes I bring actual swatches with me, so I don't have to guess if the colorful rug at the flea market will clash with the walls of my living room. It'll help make your home feel cohesive and keep you from buying something that looked gorgeous in the all-white showroom but looks terrible in your home.

3. Take reference photos of your home. I can't tell you how many times I've gone to my own Instagram to look up a picture of my kid's room because I can't seem to visualize the space and how a particular item will fit into it. Have an album with a snapshot of every room of your home that you can quickly reference.

4. Keep a running list of things you need. I check Craigslist weekly (7 am on Saturday is the ideal time, FYI), and keeping a list is the key to not falling too far down the rabbit hole of strange things people sell on the internet. A set of bentwood dining chairs, a coffee table, a patio set, figure out precisely what you're looking for, and create a list of keywords for each. It'll keep you on track, and you'll be more likely to get to those items first since you're seeking them out. You can also set alerts for specific items and get notified when a match is posted.

5. Trust your gut. If you fall in love with a particular item, know it will fit into your home and can afford to buy it, don't second guess yourself. Sometimes we procrastinate purchasing something we are sure about just because it feels wrong to make such a big decision on the spot. But, if you follow the steps above, you should have the confidence to make a decision knowing that you've done your homework in advance.