Picking out furniture is a matter of taste and budget, but there are a few things you should keep in mind – work with the space you have, strike a balance between style and function, and pay attention to comfort and texture. We’ve picked out three key areas in any home to show you how to buy the right furniture.
The Dining Room
Let’s start with your lifestyle. Does your entertainment style entail a lot of formal, sit-down dinners? Then, a classic wooden dining-table finished with a high-gloss lacquer might be right up your alley. Or, if you have young children, choose surfaces that are easy to wipe down. Glossy finishes and glass reflect light and look elegant but they also show scratches easily. Clean, sleek lines are perfect for a contemporary aesthetic while chunky legs and heavy tabletops offer a more rustic aesthetic. If you’re short on space, consider forgoing a table in favor of a diner-style booth.
The Living Room
A lot of people use a statement couch or sofa to indicate the aesthetic of the living room. Large spaces give you more room to play with so decide how much of that room you want to take up with seating. An L-shaped couch is great to divide an open-plan living room and it also works well with a coffee table. Smaller rooms are best suited for couches and chairs with a slightly rounded shape. Be practical when it comes to choosing upholstery. While suede or velvet may look great in the store, it’s not very pet-friendly. A safe choice is leather which wears well, looks great, and is available in many colors.
The Bedroom
Neutral, calming shades, soft textures, and dim lighting are vital in a bedroom but don’t underestimate the importance of the bed and mattress you buy. A good mattress supports your body, heels, shoulders, and head and also allows your spine to relax. A memory foam, a standard inner coil mattress, or a latex mattress can relieve lower back pain and give you more restful sleep. If you like sitting up in bed, invest in a reading light, side tables, and a bed with a decorative headboard.
