Your furniture is part of what makes your house a home. Whether you are moving into your first apartment or redecorating a home you’ve lived in for years, you want to create a space that is as comfortable as it is pleasing to the eye. Don’t forget these pieces when you set off to do your furniture shopping.
Just the Right Sofa
The sofa is where you’ll relax after a long day of work, where your family will gather for movie night, and where your friends will sit when they come to visit. Ultra-modern designs are trendy right now, but often aren’t conducive to comfort. Basic fabrics are more comfortable and can be dressed up with covers or throw pillows. Consider a tight-backed design for a more formal look, or go for a sofa with loose cushions if you prefer a more casual atmosphere—keeping in mind that loose cushions often lose their shape more quickly without proper care.
If you have kids in the home, skip the fabric altogether and go for a leather design. Spilled sippy cups will be much easier to clean up, and leather doesn’t hold on to dust mites, pet dander, and other allergens the way traditional fabric does, making it a better choice if someone in the home has allergies.
A Couple of Side Tables
Once you’ve found the perfect sofa, start looking for side tables to go with it. They should be large enough to comfortably hold a lamp as well as your drinks and snacks. Choose designs with a lower shelf if you need extra storage space. Consider who will be using the tables. If you have children, it’s probably best to avoid glass tops or expensive woods that are easily damaged.
The Dining Table
Even if you don’t eat every meal in the kitchen or dining room, it’s a good idea to have a dining table. Choose one based not only on the size of the room, but also on how many people need to fit around the table and how often you expect to use it. A small, round dinette set is perfect if you’re moving into your first apartment, but a table that fits several chairs gives you room to spread out while prepping meals or working on other projects.
A Statement Bookshelf
Bookshelves are the new china cabinets—less formal, less likely to break, but still the perfect place to display some of your favorite items. Forego traditional brown or black models in favor of a bold color that matches your décor. Fill it not only with books, but also with photographs, art, projects the kids have done, or anything else you can think of.
Comfortable Beds
If you’re a family on the go, you’ll probably spend more time in bed than you do on the couch, so be sure it’s a comfortable one. Choose one that fits your room, but also has enough space to accommodate you, your partner and any kids or pets who sleep in bed with you. Add an elegant touch by purchasing an upholstered headboard. You can even find some that attach right onto the wall to save space. When it comes to kids’ beds, look for options with built-in storage or desks to save space and give them something unique.
An Entertainment Center
You’ll need a piece of furniture that holds your television, DVR, Blu-Ray player, gaming systems, and other entertainment electronics. Current trends lean toward basic pieces that use drawers and cabinets to hide smaller systems, DVDs, and games, but if you prefer to be able to see your collection, open shelves or glass-front cabinets are still popular options, too.
A Work Desk
Even if you don’t work at home, it’s important to have a space set up with a desk. This gives you a place to focus when it’s time to pay bills, help kids with homework, or take care of other responsibilities. If you are short on space, choose a small desk with just enough room for the laptop and a desktop organizer. If you have a larger space, consider a large desk in a dark wood to act as a statement piece for your home office.
Things to Consider
According to furniture expert Eugene Chrinian, you should keep a few things in mind as you begin to choose and purchase furniture. First and foremost, always measure. The last thing you want to do is end up with a beautiful piece that won’t fit in the space you’ve chosen for it. Not only will you be disappointed, but returning it could be problematic. Additionally, be sure to consider your budget. If yours is tight, consider where you’ll spend the majority of your time—likely the sofa and bed—and spend most of your money on those pieces. You can fill in the rest of each room with smaller pieces you find in thrift stores or discount stores.
Remember, you don’t have to have a magazine-perfect space to have the perfect home. The comfort of you and your family is what’s most important, and you can always add in more expensive pieces over the years.
