Furniture selection is key to creating an interior design scheme, yet doesn’t need to be an exhausting process.
Before making your furniture purchases, take careful measurements of both your room (including doorways) and what style you desire.
Size
Your living room should be an important factor when shopping for furniture. It would make no sense to purchase oversize pieces for a smaller room, and vice versa.
Standard five-foot sofas are typically five feet in length; if your space doesn’t accommodate that length, consider selecting a three-foot wide love seat instead. Before purchasing, be sure to measure both the doorway and room area to determine how large or small of an item can fit within them comfortably.
Another element to take into account when decorating is color choice. A monochromatic palette can help make any space seem larger and less cramped while too many patterns or colors could create the opposite effect.
Style
Furniture styles range widely, making selecting pieces for your home dependent upon what aesthetic you wish to achieve. If you want a modern and sleek aesthetic in the room, for instance, then wooden pieces with vintage influences should be avoided as these may clash with other furnishings in the space.
If you prefer a more casual setting, opt for a large sectional and ottoman set which will offer plenty of seating for family gatherings. If movies or hosting guests is your forte, consider media storage furniture such as bookcases or TV stands as they provide convenient solutions.
Step two is to consider your main purpose for using this space, whether that’s family time or formal events. Knowing this will allow you to select furniture suitable to meet those needs; for instance, if entertaining frequently is part of your plans then perhaps choosing a glass coffee table with removable covers might be preferable to metal frames.
Functionality
Furniture should serve a functional purpose in your home; not only should it look nice but it should be well-constructed and comfortable to use as well. When investing in new pieces for your home, ensure it will outlive its purpose by selecting those made of quality materials such as hardwood.
As part of your living room design process, outline the paths that you and others tend to travel within the space. Be mindful not to place furniture where it could cause collisions with you or require you to squeeze around it as this will prevent bruising to shins or feeling constrained.
Consider purchasing multifunctional furniture to maximize space efficiency, such as sofa beds and tall storage pieces with shelves on them. Such smart pieces can make your room seem larger while maintaining that unique aesthetic you’re striving to create – not to mention saving money since multifunctional pieces tend to be more cost-effective than buying new sets!
Budget
Prior to purchasing furniture, it is crucial that you establish your budget. Knowing how much you can spend will enable you to narrow your search for pieces that match the overall style and functionality of your room.
As long as your furniture needs won’t change on an annual basis, investing in pieces that will last is smart. That means evaluating whether it is worthwhile to spend extra on durable flooring, built-ins, high-quality sofas or dining tables featuring lush upholstery – items which will continue to add value and beautify your home in years to come.
To avoid overwhelming your space with too many different styles, choose a predominant color which can unify them all – perhaps something neutral like grey, tan, or white could do just fine – then layer on textures and accents without creating visual clutter.
