Are you looking for new furniture for your home? Selecting the right furniture can be one of the most crucial decisions you make for your space. Whether you’re working with a limited budget or have plenty of room to splurge, there are important factors to consider before making your final selection. To help narrow down your options, here’s an essential guide to choosing the right home furniture.
Before you start shopping, take a little time for self-examination. What style do you like? What’s your ideal shape for a sofa? What colors accent your home best? The answers to these questions will help you find pieces that truly fit your personal style and express who you are.
Next, consider the function of the items you’re looking for. Will you be using the furniture for sitting or for storage and organization? Do you need something that will last you for many years or be your perfect transitional piece for a quickly changing lifestyle? Asking yourself these questions will help you determine the right pieces to fulfill each need.
Durability is also a key factor. Quality furniture with a timeless design not only looks better, it lasts longer. Materials like wood, leather and sturdy fabrics can endure and remain attractive for many years. Investing in well-crafted items is not only cost-effective in the long run, it can also help protect the environment by reducing furniture waste.
Now that you’ve identified your style, function and durability needs, you’ll want to pay attention to design details. Are the lines of the furniture clean and crisp? Does the construction feature joinery details like hand-pegged mortise and tenon? These are surefire signs of the quality and craftsmanship that will set the pieces apart and make your space stand out.
Experience also counts. Not all furniture brands are the same. Choose one with a good track record and reputation for customer satisfaction. Warranties and post-sale services from experienced furniture locations can be invaluable. So don’t be afraid to ask around—take the time to research and pick one that suits your budget and personal preferences.
Finally, try before you buy. A digital rendering might work for general decoration, but with furniture, it’s always best to get a feel for the pieces in person before making a decision. Visit a few stores, compare pieces, and see how comfortable and functional they are. Don’t shop for furniture solely online—experiencing it in the flesh and making sure it fits your home is such an important part of the selection process.
Considering the Age
When selecting furniture for your home, it’s important to consider its age. Is it newly upholstered or vintage? Is the piece full of history or part of a modern look? Many of us offer a warm welcome to antiques and vintage finds, providing our homes with a unique look and timeless sound.
Caring for Your Investment
No matter how good a piece of furniture is, it’s only as good as your ability and willingness to maintain it. When you select the furniture that’s perfect for you, make sure you have a plan in place to properly care for it. That may mean having a professional come in and service upholstery and deal with difficult repairs. If you plan to keep the furniture for a long time, regular cleaning and maintenance will make sure your investment stands the test of time.
Location Matters
Where will the furniture be located in your home? Fix the furniture layout in the room first, as you determine where the furniture will be placed, before you purchase. Keep in mind the walking lanes in a room, and the size of people it will be accommodating. It’s important to make sure your furniture works well with the available space, and that it’s not too bulky or overpowering.
Mix and Match
Gone are the days of everything having to match. Different pieces from different eras can come together to produce an amazing effect. Whether it’s a new and modern table, matching with vintage chairs or mismatched but coordinating patterned chairs, feel free to mix it up.
Go With Your Instincts
At the end of the day, go with what you feel is right for you. Try out different looks and colors, and see how it feels for you in the space. Trust your instincts and you’ll definitely end up with something that suits your style.
Fabric & Upholstery
Not all fabrics and upholsteries are the same. Depending on the material, furniture can vary in its comfort, durability, and about a hundred other factors. And with hundreds of options to choose from, you should really consider fabric and upholstery as part of your overall plan for your furniture selection. Do you want to go with a classic cotton, a soft velvet, or something else entirely?
Light and Bright
Lighting greatly influences the feel of a space, and your choice of furniture should take that into account. Lamps, recessed lighting, and overhead fixtures can all have a huge impact on how the furniture looks and how you feel when you enter the room. Look closely at the lighting in the space and select furniture pieces that will match it.
Spatial Awareness
It’s easy to forget about spatial awareness when shopping for the perfect piece of furniture. Don’t let yourself rush the decision process. Take measurements of the space between pieces, or measure the room to make sure you don’t buy more furniture than you have room for.
Throw in the Personal Touch
You don’t have to splurge for the designer look. Pick up a few accent pieces or add a few eclectic pieces to give a living space your own personal touch. Embrace mismatched but complimentary styles and patterns to create a unique, personalized look.
Shop in the Clearance Section
Don’t forget about the clearance section when shopping for furniture. It may not be your first thought, but it’s the perfect way to add furniture pieces into a space without overspending. With a little bit of patience and some careful bargain hunting, a clearance room can become the perfect place for finding that unique piece.
Considering the Impact of Technology
As technology is continuously progressing, more and more furniture designs are incorporating power outlets and USB ports into their designs. This is a great way to make furniture more functional and add modern convenience into the home. When shopping for furniture, look for pieces that offer power outlets and USB ports and consider incorporating them into your furniture selection for a truly modern space.
Seating Arrangements
Don’t overlook seating arrangements, it can make all the difference in how you utilize your space. You don’t always need a lot of floor space for seating, but proper layout can maximize the seating potential in a smaller area. Arrange your furniture so that people are able to actually comfortably sit in it—or think outside the box and consider sculptures and chaise lounges to add a unique flair.
The One-Stop-Shop
When it comes to shopping for furniture, many people don’t realize that they can find everything they need all in one place. From sofas and recliners to tables and chairs, many stores carry a range of furniture styles so that you can find pieces with the same look and feel that will fit perfectly into your home.
Furniture Placement
When you design the room’s layout, keep furniture placement in mind at all times. The arrangement and placement of furniture in a space can make a huge difference in the feel of the room, no matter the size. To avoid overwhelming a room, size down furniture by using smaller pieces and leave some space between each item. This will help the room feel open rather than cluttered.
Finding the Right Finishes
The finishes of your furniture pieces are just as important as their style. When making your furniture selections, think about how the finishes of your pieces will complement each other. Brushed metals, metals with an antique finish, and even different colors are great options to mix and match and create a cohesive look.
Versatility Rule
Invest in furniture pieces that you can move around for different types of gatherings. Go with moveable furniture selections like foldable couches and chairs instead of bulky ones for more flexible options. You’ll thank yourself later!
Don’t Forget About Storage
Who doesn’t need storage space? Depending on the style of the home, you can find creative ways to incorporate storage space into your furniture selections. Chests, ottomans, benches, and trunks all make great storage solutions that can double as fashionable pieces in any room.