Flower Love
Yes, choosing the right furniture for your home is a creative and fun activity, but it can be tricky every now and then.
Even if you know exactly what you need, go to the store and get confused with the thousands of modern furniture designs the place has to offer.
Sounds familiar? How about you consider the positive side of this strain as an infinite source of uniqueness? It will take you a while to choose the right pieces, but at least you will know that the selection wasn’t wrong.
We would like to introduce you to the basic rules for choosing interior design furniture:
Basic pieces go first
Image source: Own design
Yes, there are a lot of interesting pieces out there, but just imagine how difficult it would be to adapt a large sofa to a table lamp.
Doesn’t it sound more logical to go the other way around? Choose the basics first (sofas, tables, chairs) and switch to smaller and less important elements.
If nothing else, you’ll have an idea of the color, size, or function of the other items you’re looking for.
Assessment of the decor is mandatory
Image source: Dowalt Custom Homes Inc.
Measure the space and calculate the size of the parts you want to buy. Think about what you already have to get an idea of the parts that will suitably go with it. Does it look like you can pack the items up? Do it!
Retrofitting often means mixing old and new parts, or different colors, textures and sizes. Hence, it is good to familiarize yourself with mixing before entering the store.
First try the solution to see if it works. When you repaint, soak a tiny bit in the paint and take it home with you to see how it goes with your space. Each color has at least 30 shades, so we do not recommend that you rely on just judgment.
Longevity is of the utmost importance for your furniture
Image source: Shirley Meisels
You don’t have the option to re-set every day, so choose the strongest, most durable parts you can find. For example, consider making frames out of wood rather than aluminum as they will last longer and look better in a cozy home. Of course, be willing to pay more for better quality, but don’t go beyond what your budget allows.
We’d also like to remind you that durability doesn’t just apply to hard furniture. This also applies to fabrics for which you should strike a balance between durability and comfort. Definitely give the piece a try and you will get an idea of how long it can take in your home.
Be honest with yourself
Image source: Amber bottom
Does the piece you like suit your lifestyle? Let’s face it: you don’t need silky curtains with two toddlers, a 200-pound mastiff, and a naughty cat running across the room!
You don’t even need that expensive leather cut, especially if your main purpose is to make you feel relaxed rather than impressing guests.
Consideration of the existing solution
Image source: Matarozzi Pelsinger Builders
Even if you haven’t touched anything before, houses tend to impose some kind of design with their sheer appearance. So you have to pick parts that actually fit there.
If the style and colors are modern, furniture should be modern too. If the house is an old Victorian work of art, it deserves a proper Victorian solution.
There’s one more important aspect of this process: you need to follow the overall purpose of the room! For example, there is no need to introduce dainty solutions and detailed carvings in the room where you go to sleep.
Evergreen is never a bad choice
Image source: Built-in
Following trends is a good thing, especially if your budget can afford it, but trends go out of style. This means that it will take a few months before you find your place cluttered with outdated pieces and have to replace them.
Knowing how expensive this can be, we encourage you to avoid radical deviations from timeless and common styles and choices.
completion
Image source: Anne Boa interior design
Furniture made from exposed wood needs to be completed mainly for reasons of protection. What to keep in mind here is that different surfaces have different effects and can dramatically change the color of the furniture.
Sometimes customizing the finish is as important as changing the style from traditional to modern by adding cherry stains with black paint or mahogany with white paint, for example.
Don’t accept anything but the best
Image source: CANDICE ADLER DESIGN LLC
Don’t let the price become a crucial moment in your interior design, because furniture should last a long time. Instead, choose lower quality pieces or cut down on other expenses that are not so important.
Don’t let the looks fool you, the only result will be to redecorate every year and this one will definitely cost more. This is why materials and the supplier’s reputation are important, and they are very important.
Accept used furniture, but fine
It is nice of your friend to give you the old couch that he no longer uses, but you are under no obligation to accept it. In fact, it’s far better to save the disappointment of living with dysfunctional furniture and spend some cash on your own pieces (even if they aren’t the best ever).
Select parts that do not interfere with movement
Image source: Amory Brown
Or, to put it more simply, choose elements that are not oversized and leave enough space for normal traffic in the room.
Choosing an intelligent color palette
Image source: John David Edison Interior Design Inc.
Color should not only look good, it should also be a mood stimulator and one of the most powerful tools for conveying personal messages.
If there is already a painted element in the room, choose colors that go with it, especially neutral colors, as these are able to match any color or element.
The general rule in design is to keep the entire frame (walls, floors, ceilings) neutral and play with small elements like furniture, pillows, carpets, etc.
Introduction of certain topics in certain rooms
Image source: Laura U, Inc.
Think about the purpose of the room and try to guess which topic is best for it. Do you want it to be your study? A playroom? The playroom for your children?
Assuming this is the case, we recommend deviating from the bare scheme and pursuing a theme that could support the purpose of this space. There is a long list of options to choose from: Asian art furniture, Polynesian style pieces, retro modes, etc. Why not make the experience more fun?
Dark fabrics
Image source: Bravo interior design
While it’s good to choose lighter fabrics for smaller and more formal spaces, rooms that are often inhabited should be decorated with darker ones. The more you use the fabric, the more damage it will show, and you’ll need smart color choices to cover this up.
The financial plan
Image source: LEIVARS
Before committing to anything, make sure you have enough money to support your plans and try to stay within the limits of what you are allowed to spend.
Split the money intelligently and invest in pieces that are really worth and should last. Finding quality at a reasonable price can be very difficult, but it’s the best shot you need to avoid spending a fortune.
Used furniture: why not?
You can either buy it from the previous owner, a flea market, or a specialty store that does thrift business. If the piece is in good shape, there is more to be gained than to lose.
After all, you’re not making the biggest decision ever and can always replace it if you save enough for a new one.
Expect the unexpected
Image source: Facet 14 studio
One of the most valuable things money can buy is uniqueness and there is no reason not to look for it when money allows it. In fact, the item that looks strange at first sight could be a perfect accessory for an original living room, even if you’re not exactly the unconventional person who likes to experiment.
As far as we know, furniture is meant to express the unique sides of your personality, and traditional pieces likely won’t.
Do you remember free services?
Image source: Fiorella design
21 Revi
Why not use what was offered to you? There are interior design firms that offer free advice, trial subscriptions to design magazines, or even planning guides.
You can use all of this to master the design planning, or at least get a mental picture of what you are looking for.
Patience
Image source: Iba Design Associates
There’s no rush, which means there’s absolutely no reason to buy ten pieces at a time, even if your budget allows it. Go room by room, piece by piece, and make smart decisions based on long and meaningful research.
The more you focus on a particular solution, the better it gets, and you will see this once your home is completely finished.