While many consumers shop without a care in mind, they don’t realize that their furniture shapes the way they live. Furniture can greatly influence your mood, productivity, and overall well-being.
Choosing the right home furnishings can make a big difference in how comfortable, attractive, and functional your living spaces are. If you’re new to furniture shopping, here are five rules to follow to find pieces that fit and enhance the way you live.
Determine Your Needs
Don’t fall into the trend trap when furnishing your home. When choosing new furniture, consider not only its aesthetic appeal but also how it can solve the functional issues a space may have. Think about who will use it and what you want the room to do for you. Along with your needs and personal preferences, you should also consider your space and budget limitations.
After you have identified your furniture needs and constraints, you can use that information to help you explore furnishing possibilities better. Make this the first step in your buying process.
Find Your Style
It’s essential to spend time cultivating a sense of style. Once you know what you like and what kind of style you want to achieve, you’ll be able to buy furniture that fits your tastes and personality. You can shop confidently, knowing you are less likely to end up with a piece you regret buying. You’ll also be able to combine seemingly disparate furniture pieces to create personal, unique living spaces.
Furniture that complements your taste will amp up the charm and comfort of a room.
Choose Eco-Friendly Options
The idea of buying green furniture has never been more significant than it is now, with so many people working to educate the public about the issues facing our planet. However, with increased awareness of environmental concerns, there has also been a rise in misleading advertising and greenwashing.
Even buyers committed to protecting the environment can sometimes be confused by the marketplace’s claims about green products. Do your homework on the manufacturer before you buy.
Consider Construction Quality
Any discerning furniture buyer knows that quality is essential. Sometimes, even though two sofas appear almost identical, one might cost a lot more than the other. This is because the more expensive sofa is likely made from better materials and will hold up better over time.
How can you tell if the items you’re buying are high-quality when there are so many choices?
When shopping for wood furniture, examine the structure’s sturdiness and ensure that doors and drawers are correctly aligned. Drawers should glide smoothly when opened and closed. Run your hand over the furniture’s surface to check for any flaws or bumps. The wood should feel pleasant and smooth to the touch. A distressed finish should have texture, but it should not feel rough.
Learn Your Fabrics
The outside of your sofa is just as important as the inside. Think about how the fabric feels under your fingertips when picking out a new one. When choosing an upholstery fiber, consider how well it will work with your lifestyle and the care it will need.
When selecting fabrics and materials for home furnishings, you should choose ones that will look good and hold up in your home. Some fabrics snag and wrinkle easily and do not wear well over time, especially if there’s heavy use. For example, silk looks gorgeous, but it may fade fast if you place it near a sunny window.
