Furniture Selections
Furniture selection “should be” one of the most pleasant experiences in the process of redecorating, but sometimes it just doesn’t turn out to be that way. For some of us it takes the assistance of a family member or friend to keep us focused, on track and on budget. Without direction you’ll find yourself steering off course and heading for a shopping disaster.
Whether your selecting furnishings for several rooms or for only one, here are some basic guidelines to help you get started. First and foremost, know what your budget is going to be and stick with it. If you start to flip flop back and forth with increasing and decreasing your budget, not only is it frustrating, but in the end you’ve wasted not only your valuable time but usually someone else’s as well. Next would be the size of your room. Have an accurate measurement of the room and keep in mind the size and scale of the furniture itself so you can realistically visualize how it will fit into your space. Nothing looks worse than having over sized or undersized furniture that doesn’t fit the room properly.
Now at this point hopefully you have an idea of what particular style of furniture you like, or you have a style that you want to fit it in with the rest of the décor that you have planned. For some of us a furniture purchase requires the item to have longevity, not only in the quality of the product but in the design as well, often referred to as a “timeless” piece. Others prefer something that serves the purpose now and for a few years ahead, but they don’t see themselves staying with a particular design or furnishings that would last over many years or decades. So with your budget leading the way and your decision on how you want to spend your money, your ready to start shopping.
When looking at furnishings keep in mind the kind of use it is going to receive. Will it be used Daily? Weekly? Monthly? Do you have children or grandchildren that are at home or will be visiting? Unless you have no small children in your life, and for the most part it’s an adult environment, then you can look at a wider ranger of fabrics or finishes on your furnishings. For the rest of us we would want to look at furnishings that can stand up to the wear and tear of children, be stain resistant or easy clean-up, and probably budget friendly.
Wood furnishings can be delicate and require an extra effort in being careful with its use . For some of us, worrying about every little spill, nick or scratch is too stressful and not what they want to be doing. Possibly a simulated wood surface made of a laminate or arborite would be more in line with a family friendly finish. If you have young children at home then watch for furniture that might have sharp corners or angles that can be easily bumped into and look for something with softer edges. Glass inlaid into tables or coffee tables probably isn’t a great choice for a young family when a child can unintentionally drop something on the glass and that leaves open the potential for an accident to happen. Some materials are just better suited to adult use only so be aware of that.
Look for a retailer to deal with that offers a good refund policy should you not be satisfied. Some businesses will give you a 30day trial period for example and this allows you to actually try using the furniture in your own home. Sometimes what you thought was a perfect choice at the store becomes less than perfect when you get it home. Other than the home itself, your furnishings are your next biggest expenditure that you will probably make and you definitely want the end result to make you and your family happy for many years to come.
Furniture shopping doesn’t have to be painful or disappointing if you’ve done some simple measurements and groundwork previously. Make use of flyers, catalogues, Internet and show homes in your area to assist you in not only seeing what you might like, but ruling out what you dislike. With all your hard work and effort I hope your home truly feels like a place you want to come home too.
Written by Sharon @ IDQ
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