What You Should Know Before Buying Furniture
Furniture is perhaps the single most important element in the modern-day home. Whether it’s the living room, bedroom, dining room or foyer, you need furniture to set the mood and define the decor. However, there are few things you should know before buying new furniture.
Shape
When shopping for new furniture, consider the shape and how it corresponds to the room in which you’ll use it. If you’re buying a new couch for the living room, for instance, you should choose a shape that matches the existing arrangement. Assuming it matches, a rectangular couch is a great choice for a traditional living room with an L-shaped furniture arrangement. On the other hand, a half-circle sofa is probably the best choice for curved living rooms and furniture arrangements.
Style
You should also consider style when buying furniture. French provincial furniture offers a unique style that’s characterized by a vintage, rustic appearance. While its origins can be traced back to 17th century France, it remains a popular furniture style today.
Other furniture styles to consider include cottage, Hampton, industrial, Scandinavian, Tuscan and eclectic.
Wood Type
Don’t assume that all wood furniture is made of the same type wood. There are more than a dozen different types of wood in which furniture is made, and each one has unique characteristics. Mahogany, for instance, is a durable and hearty hardwood that’s prized for its rich grain and deep red color. Pine, on the other hand, is a more flexible hardwood that’s easily scratched.
Finish
It’s also a good idea to check the finis when shopping for new furniture. Even if two pieces of furniture are made of the same wood, they may have different finishes. If you’re trying to achieve a modern style in your home, a black finish may prove useful. For a more traditional style, however, neutral finishes are recommended.
Measurements
If you plan to buy furniture online, check the measurements to ensure it’s the right size for your home. This means measuring the space of the room in which you plan to use it and cross-referencing those measurements to the furniture’s dimensions.
Investment
Rather than buying furniture with the intention of replacing it a year or two later, you should treat it as a long-term investment. High-quality, well-made furniture can last for generations when properly maintained. So, while it’s more expensive than cheap furniture, buying high-quality furniture is a smart investment.
These are just a few tips to help you find the perfect furniture.