Your home’s furniture has a big impact on its overall look and feel. The right pieces can pull a room together, while the wrong ones can make it look cluttered or disjointed. When choosing new furniture, there are several things to keep in mind to ensure you select pieces that work for your space and lifestyle.
Consider The Room’s Purpose & Traffic Flow
Before shopping for furniture, take a look at how each room in your home is used on a daily basis. Is the living room a place to relax at the end of the day or do you host family dinners around the coffee table? Does the bedroom need to accommodate two people plus pets? Understanding the room’s main functions will help guide your furniture choices.
You’ll also want to pay attention to traffic flow. Measure doorways and hallways to ensure large pieces will fit through them. Make sure there’s enough space around furniture for people to comfortably move around. Allow for at least 36 inches between pieces for high traffic areas.
Choose The Right Size Furniture
Furniture that’s too large or too small for a room looks awkward and makes the space feel cluttered. When determining what size furniture to purchase, leave enough room for people to walk around comfortably while ensuring each piece is proportional to the room. Here are some general size guidelines:
- Sofas and Loveseats: Leave 18-24 inches between the back of the sofa and the wall. Make sure coffee tables and ottomans leave at least 18 inches in front.
- Beds: Allow at least 24 inches of clearance on either side for easy access.
- Dining Tables: Allow 48 inches minimum around the perimeter for seated dining.
- Desks: Place desks 24-36 inches away from walls to leave legroom.
Measure both your rooms and furniture pieces when shopping to get the right fit.
Choose Quality Construction & Comfortable Materials
You’ll be using your furniture daily, so quality construction is key for durability. Solid wood frames, joint construction, and durable upholstery materials will stand the test of time. Sit on sofas and test mattresses in the store to ensure they provide the right amount of comfort and support.
Look at how cushions and pillows are attached and the type of fill used. Removable cushions and down or foam alternatives make for easier cleaning. Also, check drawers and cabinets for smooth gliding and doors for proper alignment. These are all signs of good craftsmanship.
Pick An Appealing Style
Narrow down your style preferences before shopping. Do you prefer traditional, modern, coastal, industrial or eclectic designs? Take a look around your home to identify a style you want to build on based on architecture, existing decor and your personal taste. The new pieces you select should coordinate with or enhance your home’s overall aesthetic.
Don’t be afraid to mix styles a bit for visual interest. For example, you can pair sleek modern dining chairs with a farmhouse-style wood table or add a vintage chest to a contemporary bedroom. Just be sure each piece flows with the others.
Select Versatile & Multi-Functional Furniture
Opt for furniture that can serve more than one purpose or adapt to changes down the road. For example, an ottoman with interior storage space also serves as a coffee table. A sectional with a chaise lounge provides versatile seating as your family grows.
Tables and consoles on casters easily move when you need to rearrange a room. Tables with drop-leaf sides save space when not in use. Beds with storage drawers maximise usefulness. These types of multi-functional furniture pieces get more use over time.
Choose The Right Colour Palette
Colour can have a huge impact on the overall feel of a room. Work within a coordinated palette for a harmonious luxury interior design. Neutral colours like beige and grey are easy to mix and match with bolder accent colours. Wood stain colours also blend well together.
Take the room’s lighting into account as well. Dark, moody colours work best in bright spaces, while lighter neutrals help brighten up dim rooms. Use caution with extremely bold colours, which can overwhelm a space. Instead, choose one brightly coloured furniture piece as a focal point against more muted tones.
Set Your Furniture Budget
Setting a realistic budget prevents you from overspending. Remember that quality construction and materials come at a cost. Budget more for investment pieces like sofas, beds and dining tables that get daily use. You can likely trim costs on accent tables, storage units and chairs. Take time to comparison shop, watch for sales and negotiate prices when possible.
If you don’t have a large upfront budget, consider stretching bigger purchases over time. Buy a basic sofa now, then save up to eventually add accent chairs that complement it. You can also layer in less expensive decorative accessories down the road.
Work With An Interior Designer For Large Projects
For more extensive home refurnishing projects, consider hiring an interior designer. An experienced luxury interior design professional can help with space planning, identify your style, select cohesive pieces and shop for furniture within your budget. This service alleviates a large burden of work for the homeowner.
A designer also has trade resources and buying power that consumers don’t. They can procure high-end designer furniture brands, custom pieces and strategic cost savings. Though their services come at a price, a designer’s guidance can be invaluable for large-scale furniture purchasing.
Choosing the right furniture takes some forethought and effort. Following these guidelines will set you up to select pieces you’ll enjoy living with for years to come. Take your time shopping and assembling a cohesive furniture collection over time. In the end, you’ll create a personalised home that reflects your style and fits your lifestyle.
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