6 Tips for Choosing Furniture for Your Home

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I had purchased “grownup furniture” before.

But I don’t think I was ever so excited about a furniture delivery as I was on that Saturday morning when the china cabinet arrived.

The cabinet was our first purchase together as a married couple, and I was so excited to fill it with our china, crystal and other wedding gifts.

I imagined a lifetime of setting the table from the china cabinet, as we hosted meals for friends, our parents, extended family and eventually our future children and grandchildren.

Buying furniture is a practical exercise. You need a place to sleep, a place to sit, a place to eat and a place to store clothes and china and the other stuff of life.

But I also think it’s important to tap into your emotions when choosing and buying furniture for your home.

You’ll make memories around that coffee table, as you prop your feet on it and cuddle on the sofa with your sweetie, as you share wine and good conversation with a good friend and as you color in a coloring book with your toddler.

In my opinion, mood, style, function, quality and price all matter when choosing furniture for your home. Today, in partnership with Havertys, I’m sharing my 6 tips for choosing furniture for your home.

I think I know a little something about furniture.

I’ve certainly bought enough of it through the years, even making a few regrettable buying decisions that have made me a wiser furniture buyer.

I also live near High Point, the furniture capital of the world, and I’ve worked in the industry. Every time I go to the High Point Furniture Market, the trade show for furniture retailers and manufacturers, and tour designer-styled showrooms full of gorgeous furniture, I come home with a list of rooms I want to redo and refurnish

And there’s that hobby/side business of mine of taking old furniture and making it new again with paint.

1) Make a Mood Board

Before you start shopping for furniture, I think it is helpful to make a mood board.

A mood board will help keep you focused on the mood and look you want to create in your space. When you’re out shopping for furniture, it’s easy to get distracted by all the pretty — and that’s when you can make expensive mistakes.

I recommend spending some time on Pinterest and on furniture store sites, like Havertys, to do a little pre-shopping before you actually hit the stores. Buy some home decor magazines and start collecting inspiration photos.

2) Take Your Time

Though we’ve lived in our house for more than three years, every room isn’t completely finished or furnished. I’m still looking for “just the right thing” for certain rooms in the house.

My current challenge — nightstands and lamps for our guest bedroom. I’m still looking for ones I love.

I’m giving you permission to take your time when furnishing your house. Don’t feel you need to rush in and buy something you don’t love to fill a space, especially something expensive.

I shop everywhere for furniture: at retail stores like Havertys, online, antique stores, yard sales, flea markets and even my mom’s house.

I won’t buy an expensive piece of furniture I don’t love, but I might pick up a yard sale piece that isn’t perfect, knowing that I can make it over or replace it later without guilt when I do find what I love.

3) Know Your Measurements and Use Space Planning Tools

I use an app on my phone to keep notes about home design projects, furniture and accessories I’d like to buy for our home.

In that app, I also keep room dimensions and other key measurements. Because there’s nothing worse than getting a new piece of furniture home only to find out it doesn’t fit where you thought it would fit.

I’m also a big fan of room planning software to help you visualize your space before you furnish it. It’s great for trying out furniture placement without killing your back.

I used a room planning tool online when I was redoing my home office and craft room, and I even taped out furniture I planned to use before buying it.

This visual exercise helped me decide to go with a smaller craft table than I originally thought I needed, and I’m so happy I did.

4) Splurge Where it Matters

Not every piece of furniture you buy will be an heirloom, but I really do think it pays to invest in quality.

There are certain items you can probably count on replacing, like sofas and upholstered chairs as tastes or styles change or they get threadbare from use.

But things like your dining room table or china cabinet could be with you for as long as you own your house — if you choose a timeless style and buy furniture that is built to last.

Later down the road, you may choose to refresh these pieces with paint or a new finish.

Even upholstered pieces can last for years if you invest in a quality-made piece of furniture in a timeless style. You can always have a fabulously made sofa or chair recovered.

5) Buy What You Love

As much as you may be infatuated with a design trend, I wouldn’t recommend that you let the trends influence your major furniture buying decisions. Buy what you love today and what you will love 10 years from now.

Try out trends in pillows and other accessories or upholster a side chair in a fabulous modern fabric.

It’s easy and fairly inexpensive to change the look of dated upholstery when you tire of it.

6) Go for a Collected Look

The most beautiful interiors always seem to have a collected look, as if the homeowners spent a lifetime searching for the furnishings and objects in the space.

Be mindful of that as you shop for furniture.

It’s OK to mix and match different wood tones and paint and fabrics and patterns and even styles, like blending industrial with glam or rustic with chic.

That’s how you create a home that is uniquely you and find furniture you’ll love as much in 20 years as you did when it was new.

Havertys has some great “forever” piece of furniture. and now’s a great time to shop with them.

Share your Havertys purchases on Instagram using the hashtag #HavertysInspireHavertys helps you bring your vision to life. 

5 TIPS FOR CHOOSING BEDROOM FURNITURE

Ashley HomeStore Furniture Coupons 2016: Buy More, Save More at Ashley HomeStore! Get Ashley HomeStore Furniture Promo Codes 15% OFF when you spend $499, 20% OFF when you spend $500-3,999, and 25% OFF when you spend $4,000+. Redeem this coupon now!

Sometimes, when picking out new furniture, the number of options can be overwhelming.  Many customers can find themselves wandering helplessly through the furniture store unsure which pieces to choose or where to even start.  Not to worry - next time before you head bedroom furniture shopping, use these tips from Showman Furniture for a more productive trip.

1)  Know What You Need

Are you shopping for an entire bedroom furniture set or just a few pieces? Are you replacing, complementing or redesigning? Knowing your shopping goal is crucial to staying on track and leaving with the right purchase. Determine what piece(s) of bedroom furniture you are looking for and for what purpose:

-          For sleeping: a bed, which includes a bed frame, headboard, footboard, box spring, and a mattress

-          For convenience: night stands that will be the right height and size for your new bed

-          For storage: dressers, vanities or storage benches

-          For entertainment: an armory or other piece of furniture to serve as a TV stand

2)  Prioritize: Style or Savings?

A lot of the decisions over your bedroom furniture come down to style.  There are many different options to choose from: classic, traditional, modern, minimal, country, trendy and many others.  For some, this is the most important element.  For others, the decision can be easily determined by budget.  When it comes down to style vs. price tag, you need to know which side you are on.

Decide before you even go into the store whether or not you're more concerned with the furniture style or how much you spend.  Do a little research and look at the furniture styles available for your price range. If you find out you have an expensive taste and a limited budget, your options are:

-          Wait and save up more to afford what you really want

-          Search the web for sales, coupons and special offers that can bring the price down

-          Compromise: find something similar at a lower price or from last year's collection

3)  Think Long-term

Most of us don't buy new bedroom furniture every year or two - for the majority of shoppers, it is a major purchase expected to last many years, perhaps even generations.  This is another instance where style comes into play. Before you commit to a piece of furniture, make sure it's something you can live with for a long time. Canopy bed may be in right now, but will you still be happy with it in three years? To maintain both style and flexibility, keep these ideas in mind:

• Go classic: wood is always stylish and a simple wooden bedframe can fit with any design
• Look for furniture with removable or replaceable elements, such as footboards, hardware, finals, etc.
• Consider wrought iron: it is extremely versatile and can be easily painted if you want a change.

Just like clothing, home decorating has trends that can fade in popularity just as quickly as they come - but you don't want that to affect such important investment as bedroom furniture.

4)      Do Your Research

As with any big purchase, it's always a good idea to know what you're getting into before you buy.  You can find almost any information you want to know about bedroom furniture online. When you research, specifically look for:

-          Typical dimensions a piece of furniture comes in

-          Reviews on quality and durability of particular items

-          Ease of assembly if applicable

-          An average price range

-          Looks, trends and styles you like

-          Your local or online retailers or showrooms

5)      Be Prepared

When it's time to make the trip to your local Maryland bedroom furniture showroom, there are a few items you can bring to make the final decision easier:

• The exact dimensions of your bedroom and furniture that's already in it
• Dimensions of your bedroom and entrance door frames to ensure your new purchase fits
• A list of the pieces you need with your total budget
• The photos of styles you like with names and prices
• Photos of your bedroom or samples of materials (floor boards, carpet, wall color, finishes, curtains, etc.) if you are trying to match your new piece of furniture to the rest of the décor.
• A tape measure, just in case!

If you've done your homework, picking out your next bedroom set should be simple.  All it takes for a quick and easy purchase is a little time to make sure you're making the right decision - and that knowledge will certainly help you rest easy in your new bedroom!

Green Home Improvement Ideas 7 Tips on How to Choose Best Bedroom Furniture Sets

Ashley HomeStore Furniture Coupons 2016: Buy More, Save More at Ashley HomeStore! Get Ashley HomeStore Furniture Promo Codes 15% OFF when you spend $499, 20% OFF when you spend $500-3,999, and 25% OFF when you spend $4,000+. Redeem this coupon now!

You should know the important things when choosing bedroom furniture set. To make it effective and pretty, these following factors are essential to think about.

1. Bedroom size

You need to have exact measurement of your bedroom. This will define the size of furniture you can take. Smaller bedroom should use small furniture too to make sure the room is not too crowded and you have enough space to move around. There are choices for small and big bedroom.

2. Bedroom style

You should also define how you want your bedroom look like. You can define classic, chic, or modern style as your pick. By then, choose bedroom furniture set that brings out the same style. This will give perfect concept and look.

3. Scheme color

It is preferable that you pick your favourite colors or any soft and warm color as your scheme. It helps you sleep better. Now, match the color with your furniture color. It does not need to be the same, but it must be perfectly match to the room color.

4. Space saving alternative

Consider buying new designs of furniture. Several new beds now are completed with drawers as well, and bookshelves now hang on the wall. It does not eat too much space and you will like these functional features. Combine small tables and drawers to make dressing table if you want to.

5. Quality

This is essential. Choose a set with durable material, tough enough for long lasting use. Common supplier offers bad quality so you need to be careful on this. You can also ask if there is any warranty for your furniture. You do not want to waste your money on bad quality.

6. Budget

Furniture can cost a lot of money. Therefore, you need to set a budget. You do not have to have everything at once if you do not have enough money. We can make it step by step buying. Do not buy anything more than you can afford.

7. Price

This is one of the keys. Always compare the price! Go to multiple stores and suppliers, and check on the quality, then compare the price. Pick a set with reasonable and affordable price performing good quality as well. Do not be teased with cute look but expensive price.

Try to meet the entire requirements while you are selecting your bedroom furniture set. All of them need to be met so your basic need and aesthetic need are well covered.

4 Tips for Choosing the Right Sofa for your Lifestyle

Ashley HomeStore Furniture Coupons 2016: Buy More, Save More at Ashley HomeStore! Get Ashley HomeStore Furniture Promo Codes 15% OFF when you spend $499, 20% OFF when you spend $500-3,999, and 25% OFF when you spend $4,000+. Redeem this coupon now!

Choosing your brand new sofa can be both exciting and frustrating at the same time. On the one hand you’re shopping for a new piece of furniture that will define your living space for years to come, and on the other you’re whittling down the competition until you’re left with a winner that you’re happy to spend your hard-earned money on.

To help you in these trying times, the DesignerSofas4U team has put together a list of things to consider when you just can’t make that final decision.

1. Consider its purpose.

This might seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how often thinking about what your new sofa will actually be used for is overlooked. Customers tend to lead with their personal preference over practicality, leading to complications down the line.

Your living room is likely to be the hub of social activity in your home since this is where everyone gravitates to when it’s time to relax – well, almost everyone;

sometimes it really is best to just leave teenagers to their privacy. If you’re buying a sofa for a busy living room then you need to consider a piece of furniture with a sturdy, resilient frame and upholstery that can withstand years of torture. The arms are likely to be sat on, contrary to our frequent advice, and there will always be that one person sat on the floor leaning against the bottom of the sofa even if there’s actually room to sit on it. In these situations we’d recommend something like a large leather or wool settee; both these materials are highly durable and easy to clean.

If you’re actually buying a piece of furniture for a lesser used room, like the conservatory or the guest bedroom then durably against family onslaught is less of a concern, but other factors come into play. For example, we don’t usually recommend leather upholstery for conservatories since these rooms tend to be more at the mercy of the elements than any other in the house. Think about those times you’ve sat on a leather sofa during the depths of winter or in the midst of a sweaty summer afternoon; the seat was either ice cold or warm and sticky, and very uncomfortable at the best of times. Wool on the other hand has naturally occurring thermal insulating properties that adapt to changing temperatures, making it warm during winter and cool during summer – perfect for a conservatory.

DesignerSofas4U - Chesterfield Sofas

2. Consider your family.

And by family, we don’t just mean your spouse and children, though these are likely to influence your decision too. Your family includes your parents, grandparents, grandchildren and maybe even great grandchildren. And the pets.

Accessibility is always something to keep in mind for the older and younger generations. Will the elderly be able to sit down comfortably and, more importantly, stand back up without pushing their bodies to the limit? Will your younger children be able to safely climb up, down and around your new sofa without risk of injury? These are important questions you should be asking because they’re likely to be using your furniture whether you’ve given them consideration or not.

Pets can be just as loveable and just as frustrating as our human family members, and whether they’re allowed to or not they’re likely to get some use out of the sofa you choose too. Goldfish and terrapins and the like can likely be overlooked, but anything with teeth and claws can cause some serious damage to your expensive furniture in a matter of seconds. Aged leather looks refined and mature, but aged leather full of scratches from cat claws can appear shabby and poorly maintained. For buyers with pets we’ve always recommended fabric sofas because of this – yes, sometimes fabric can absorb unsavory odor from animals but proper maintenance of you sofa will prevent this.

3. Consider your comfort.

Comfort is always subjective; what’s just right for one person could be too high, too deep or too firm for the next. Every sofa frame is different, and cushions can be filled with anything from down to high-density foam.

If you want a really soft seat then you should definitely consider a down filling. Unfortunately, down is considered a premium choice of filling, so they’ll have a larger price tag to match. Down can also be quite difficult to maintain; you’ll be plumping them up on a daily basis, and cushions without down proof ticking under the upholstery fabric will see feathers poking through. Down can be used in combination with high-density foams, though these too can be quite expensive.

A good option for your filling would a combination of pads comprising down and polyester fibre and springs. The springs form the core, giving your seat a firm and resilient structure, and are wrapped in high-density foam and finally covered with the pads. The result is a seat that’s both soft and firm, and the cushion won’t lose its shape very easily.

The most common form of filling is high-density polyurethane, and the higher the density the firmer the seat. Sometimes it’s wrapped in other materials, like polyester or cotton, to make cushion softer to sit on, but not always. These types of fillings are usually the cheapest.

As with everything in life, quality fillings don’t come cheap – prices scale as the quality increases and we always advise our customers to buy the best quality they can afford because this heightened quality will see a sofa stay comfortable and retain its shape for longer.

4. Consider your taste.

Finally we come to the point that most buyers consider their main priority. We urge customers to buy a sofa that suits their taste and style, but first you should always whittle down the competition to just a few choices using the tips above.

Think about it; you might buy a sofa based on how it looks, but once you’ve got it home used it for a week you can’t then return it because it’s too deep, or too soft, or you’ve realized the material isn’t right.

You’re also going to be looking for a sofa that fits into the theme of the room it’s intended to be used in; yes, that modern, angular red leather sofa looks gorgeous but it’s not going to look right in a small cottage living room decorated in antique tones of tan and cream is it? But that Old-English leather Chesterfield would look stunning!

Taste is by far the most important thing you’ll come to consider during your sofa selection adventure but it should always be considered last, once you have a list of suitable candidates that meet all the criteria you expect from you lovely new piece of furniture.

Some find it gruelling, but hunting for a new sofa should be exciting; it’s a new addition to the family that will share in the memories made in your home. We love engaging our customers and working with them to find the best possible solution to their seating needs, so if you’re ever in need of a friendly chat then contact us and we’ll do our very best to help you.

SPICE UP THAT SHAKE: NATIONAL VANILLA MILKSHAKE DAY

Ashley HomeStore Furniture Coupons 2016: Buy More, Save More at Ashley HomeStore! Get Ashley HomeStore Furniture Promo Codes 15% OFF when you spend $499, 20% OFF when you spend $500-3,999, and 25% OFF when you spend $4,000+. Redeem this coupon now!

Because you can never have enough dessert- ESPECIALLY when the dessert has its own special day, we’re just going to have to share something with you: it’s National Vanilla Milkshake Day! Although a definite classic treat since the early 1930s, the vanilla shake gets a bad rep for being the “safe option.” Well we’re here to throw all of that out the window – 

Check out these ideas on spicing up your ‘nilla shake!

Add Some Berries. The classic healthy option. Luscious strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries make for a sweet and refreshing taste.

Coffee Beans. Need to kick start your day? Try grinding and dropping in coffee beans for bold flavor- and a wakeup call!

Cookies. You know you love them. And just about any kind goes with a vanilla shake from an Oreo to a vanilla wafer.

Make a S’mores Version. Simply stir in chocolate syrup and graham cracker bits. Top with fluffy marshmallows- broiled or toasted to a delicious golden brown.

Sour and Sweet. Make a lemon meringue version with lemonade or by simply blending the pie into the shake- this can also be done with the tart Florida original, key lime pie!

Green Tea. If you feel that the shake is too heavy- opt for mixing in your favorite brewed green tea for a light twist (and detox!).

Add Your Favorite Cream Liqueur. Who said milkshakes were just for kids? Pour in your favorite cream liqueur- try Baileys or Rumchata- and enjoy your frozen happy hour treat!

HOW TO BRING HOME THE RIGHT SIZE RECLINER

Ashley HomeStore Furniture Coupons 2016: Buy More, Save More at Ashley HomeStore! Get Ashley HomeStore Furniture Promo Codes 15% OFF when you spend $499, 20% OFF when you spend $500-3,999, and 25% OFF when you spend $4,000+. Redeem this coupon now!

Like people, recliners come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. The difference is noticeable when you settle into seat and rather than relax, you feel uncomfortably boxed in. Here, we’ve simplified how to find an ultra-relaxing recliner that fits your needs and lends blissful support during a full night of TV bingeing.

Choose a style, then measure your space. While that huge recliner looks pretty inviting—will it fit in the space you have? Measuring the seating area helps determine what size recliner will fit in it before you make a purchase.

What size works best? Generally speaking, it’s the width plus the depth and height of the recliner that affords the most room to relax. For simplicity’s sake, we’ll use the width as the basis for measurement.

 

OVERSIZED OR ”BIG DADDY“ RECLINERSmeasure 50" or wider.

56" wide Banetonville recliner’s luxuriously deep seat is genuine leather everywhere the body touches.

57" wide Overly recliner’s plush upholstery and tufted back makes being overly comfortable possible.

59" wide Toletta has an ultra-soft feel and overstuffed pillow armrests, coupled with a zero wall profile.

       

 

MID-SIZE RECLINERS ARE 40"–49" WIDE:

40" wide Ludden rocker recliner’s plush upholstery is like resting on a cloud of comfort.

40" wide Kaylor DuraBlend® rocker recliner has the look and feel of leather without the high price or maintenance.

43" wide Quinnlyn rocker recliner has extra cushioning on the armrests and neck area.

 

SMALLER RECLINERS MEASURE 39" OR LESS

33" wide Placido recliner is styled like a favorite club chair.

36" wide Mannix DuraBlend® glider recliner with 360-degree swivel keeps you in the flow of conversation.

37" wide Darshmore rocker recliner’s pillowy cushions envelope the entire body when you settle in for a sports watching or sleep marathon.

Once you land on a recliner size that fits your needs, choosing a style with one-touch power control boosts your comfort level even further. Happy reclining!

3 Pro Tips for Choosing the Perfect Sofa

Ashley HomeStore Furniture Coupons 2016: Buy More, Save More at Ashley HomeStore! Get Ashley HomeStore Furniture Promo Codes 15% OFF when you spend $499, 20% OFF when you spend $500-3,999, and 25% OFF when you spend $4,000+. Redeem this coupon now!

The right sofa can really bring a room together. And, let's face it, as an essential fixture for Netflix marathons, comfort is an obvious priority. But there are important aspects to consider when searching for the perfect one: Does the color match the other palettes in the room? How does the seating arrangement breathe new life into your space? We tapped interior designer Alex Papachristidis, author of The Age of Elegance: Interiors($40; amazon.com), who gave us some nuggets of décor wisdom. Read on for his tips.

—With reporting by Anne Vorrasi

 145 SHARES

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  COURTESY WEST ELM

  1. CONSIDER YOUR PROPORTIONS 

  “Good proportion is the most important factor [when choosing sofa for a small space],” says Papachristidis. Lean arms and exposed legs lend your furniture a lighter feel and will make a room appear larger. A cohesive, tonal color scheme generates a sense of openness and harmony, while a distinct contrast can overwhelm tight quarters. “A sofa that pops out too much instantly seems heavy,” he warns.
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  KRISTIN PERERS

  2. ALWAYS GIVE IT A TEST-DRIVE

  No matter how tempting an online sale may be, “don’t buy a sofa without sitting on it first,” says Papachristidis. The dimensions should suit your height for napping and perching. For supreme comfort, go with a loose-back style (one with nonattached cushions, above). “The back pillows should be filled with down so you sink into them, and seats should be made with foam wrapped in feathers—they’re long-lasting and require minimal fluffing.”
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  3. DON'T SKIMP ON THE STYLING.

  How many pillows you add depends on the type of couch. “Use fewer on a loose-back sofa since you already get a cushioned effect from the furniture,” suggests Papachristidis. If you have a more structured shape, give it an inviting air by piling on the poufs—and toss a cashmere throw over the arm to keep things cozy. When it comes to accessorizing, Papachristidis prefers a bohemian groove to a traditional tailored approach. “I’ll often mix prints with solids and cotton with velvet, silk, and wool,” he tells InStyle.