Whether you’ve just moved into a new home or apartment, or if you’re thinking of buying some new pieces to spruce up the place, you may be thinking about which pieces of furniture are the best ones to choose.
Of course, you can just purchase furniture because you like the look of them, however you may want to consider choosing items that suit your home, as well as because you love them. When you buy pieces of furniture to suit your home, you’ll have yourself a stunning looking home as well as one that flows well on a daily basis. You won’t have to worry about items being too big, too small, too clunky or not the right colour. So how do you buy items of furniture to suit your home? There are a few things to consider when you’re browsing furniture stores this weekend.
Construction
There are a lot of items on the market that, unfortunately, aren’t made very well. They may be made from second grade materials or be made from items simply because it’s on trend or looks great. These pieces often don’t last very long and can mean that you’re buying new furniture every season or year. The best thing to look for is a well constructed piece of furniture. Whether it’s a dining table or a sofa, you should make an effort to look at what it is made of. A really easy way to know if a piece is well constructed is to feel how heavy it is and if it feels solid. This is especially handy if you’re not confident in knowing what materials are stronger than others. Of course, if it is a seat of some kind, give it the sit test. Take a seat and if it feels flimsy or at all uncomfortable, try a new piece.
Silhouette
Take a look at the piece as a whole and the shape of it. Is it shaped this way because it is a trendy piece? Or is it a classic shape and will look great for years to come? You should buy pieces that are a reflection of you because it will be in your home for (hopefully) years to come. Buy pieces that you think you’ll love now and for many years, not just because it is a popular look right now. Will this piece, although fancy and trendy, look good in your home? Or will it stand out for all of the wrong reasons? There are so many styles on the market, so don’t settle for something that’s just “okay”. Continue looking until a piece ticks every box.
Choosing colour schemes
It’s a lot easier to buy furniture that matches your home rather than buying furniture then re-painting the walls of your home to match it (which some people actually do!). If you want to match colours of the furniture with the walls of your home, it’s important to go shopping knowing what colours to search for. If you can bring a colour card of the colour of your walls, you’ll be able to bring it shopping with you to see what the colour of a sofa, lounge or table will look against the colour of the walls. The best way to match colours are to think of colours that will accent your existing wall colours. If you have dark grey walls, you may choose pieces that are cream or a lighter shade of grey to match. Alternatively, you can contrast and choose pieces that are bright orange, violet or aqua in colour. Take a look at colour schemes online to find a scheme that works for you and your home.
Finish
If you’re buying a piece of furniture with exposed wood, what finish does it have? If it’s stained, over time this staining may become less bold and you may have to re-stain it in the future. Alternatively, you may have wood pieces painted black for a contrasting piece or a white painted mahogany piece which instantly looks more feminine. Try to picture what these coloured woods will look like in years to come and if you think you will want to invest some time one day in re-painting or re-oiling these pieces. It’s also important to note that some stains will not last as long if the furniture is in direct sunlight, so be sure to consider where the piece will be situated once at home.
Maximise your space
If you’re looking to fill a new room with new pieces, it’s important to buy furniture for your needs but don’t over-do it. It may be exciting to buy a whole room full of new furniture, but it’s best to start off small. Buy the basic pieces you need for the room and see how they fit in the space. If you feel like there’s room for a little more, buy that additional piece you’ve been eyeing off. You want the room to look full, but not cramped. Don’t forget that you can also build ‘up’ so look for storage solutions that utilise the walls and empty spaces instead, to make more room for other pieces.
Fabrics
Like many other aspects of furniture shopping, there are plenty of different fabric options available. You may also be able to choose custom patterns and colours for the furniture you’re purchasing. It’s important to consider if the colours and patterns are also going to stand the test of time, or if it is just another trendy option. While lighter coloured fabrics are often wanted, these are more suited to formal dining and living rooms, foyers or bedrooms where they are not used as often. If you’re looking for furniture that will be used often, opt for a darker shade instead.
