Buying furniture can seem like a daunting undertaking, but it doesn’t need to be. Whether you’re working to outfit an entire home from scratch or simply replace a few pieces here and there, the process can be simplified by thinking it through step by step. Begin with understanding what you need, then start researching. You’ll soon realize the styles you gravitate toward, and exactly what will work best within your home.
As your search for furniture, take in a few helpful tips to assist you:
Before anything, evaluate your needs. Determine exactly what type of furniture you want and what will fit your lifestyle. Does your family room need to accommodate a brood of children? You may want a durable, sectional sofa. Planning to work from home? You’ll want to keep your eye out for a functional desk. By starting small and thinking it through piece by piece, buying the task of purchasing furniture will seem less overwhelming.
What style do you think will work best? The style of furniture that best complements your home will depend on your preferred aesthetic. First decide whether you want to create casual or formal living spaces. It will likely depend on which room, but that will help you narrow choices. From there, browse through Houzz Ideabooks to familiarize yourself with different styles and the looks that you like. Contemporary styles tend to use more modern, clean-lined pieces mixed with bold colors. Traditional styles utilize antiques and classic pieces, some of which you can find at flea markets or consignment furniture stores. An eclectic home usually represents a marriage of several styles: think a vintage sofa paired with a Parsons coffee table. At the end of the day, it’s all about what makes you comfortable and feel at home.
What should you look for while shopping? Furniture is an investment, so comfort, quality and durability are extremely important factors. Test out all furniture, depending on what it is, by sitting or laying on it to ensure comfort. Survey each piece carefully: higher quality furniture is usually of ample size, heavier, has strong seams, and evenly distributed filler. Be wary of missing screws, buttons or bolts: a quality piece will pay close attention to detail and be carefully constructed. Ask questions: Does this piece come with a warranty? Why have people returned it in the past? How long is it slated to last? Bottom line: do your research.
What type of upholstery should you consider? Analyze you and your family’s lifestyle, as well as the use of the particular piece. Are you refurbishing an antique wing-back chair that will sit in a formal living room? A velvet or suede material will certainly amp its style. Do you have young children scampering through the home? It might be wise to furnish the family room sofa in a washable slipcover. Want a timeless look that will wear nicely over time? Leather changes its appearance over the years and only gets better with time and use.
How do you know whether the furniture will fit? You don’t need a professional interior designer to create your own floor plan. Simply draw a diagram of the room or location you plan to furnish, noting the location of windows, doors, shelves, fireplaces, air-ducts, etc. Include measurements of entryways (doors, stairs, hallways) that furniture may need to travel through to get to its location. Bring this diagram with you to the furniture shop: it will help you visualize where furniture will go and whether it will fit.
What about those awkward shaped rooms that are triangular or have sloped ceilings? Don’t fret: on most occasions, these weirdly shaped rooms can almost always be transformed into something useful. First, determine the function of the room (maybe an office space, a workout room or a nursery) and the furnishings you need to make it happen. Measure it carefully, and begin scouting. Remember: if you’re not having luck finding pieces that will fit, you can always consider going the custom route.
