Choosing the right furniture, including style and construction that can stand the test of time, can be tricky. It may even be rather anxiety-inducing as you don’t want to invest a lot of money only to find that it wasn’t the look you really meant to create, whether you just purchased one of the homes for sale in Indianapolis or you’re going for a whole new look for the house you’ve lived in for years in Houston.
No matter what your situation, by following some important shopping basics, you’ll be much more likely to make good decisions.
Pick a Theme
It’ll make it much easier to choose furniture that compliments each other by picking a theme, such as contemporary (metallic, angular pieces), casual (a cozy, earthy/woods feel), country (soft florals), eclectic (individualized, artisan or ethnic pieces) or traditional (antiques and dark red woods).
Define Your Needs
Think about everything you and your family need and how furnishings can make your day-to-day life more comfortable. For example, you and your spouse will probably need one larger bed, perhaps a queen- or king-size, while a bunk bed or two single beds in bedrooms for two siblings make the most sense. Consider the purpose for every room – a room for relaxing should look different from one meant for working or studying and require different types of furniture too.
Your lifestyle should play a part in choices too – do you have small children or pets? You may not want a pricey leather sectional.
Consider the Layout of Each Room
Every room has its own unique dimensions you’ll need to work around. Think not only about the style of your home’s interior, but the size and scale of each space.
Choose Anchoring Pieces First
Build your foundation first by deciding on the anchoring pieces, such as the sofa in a living room, a dining table in the dining room and beds in the bedrooms. Then finish off the rest of the room working around that signature piece. You don’t have to choose matching sets of furniture as pieces that look like carbon copies can leave the room feeling uninspired. Don’t be afraid to mix things up a bit. Remember that a piece of furniture is an investment in your home, and it also says a lot about who lives there. Choose items that you love now and are likely to continue to love long into the future.
What Else to Keep in Mind
You’re probably going to find lots of great pieces you love that aren’t necessarily the right fit for your home. Be sure to keep in mind durability, function, necessity and aesthetics when shopping for the right furniture for your home. While the most important thing is that you enjoy it, balance your affinity for pieces with objectivity.
Measure each room, taking an in-depth look at the space and how you use it, and be sure to evaluate any items you may already have too. Don’t let fleeting moments of boredom cause you to get rid of furniture you love, as designer Emily Henderson writes. She had the ideal comfortable, unique and indestructible sofa and regrets ever selling it for one that turned out to be not near as inviting.
