As a first-time homeowner, choosing your furniture is both exciting and daunting. It's exciting to finally have a place of your own. It's your chance to show the world your taste and fashion sense. At the same time, it is scary. You will most likely be spending a nice chunk of change to furnish your new home and you want to get it right.
Here are some steps that can help ensure you make the right decisions.
Start by looking at decorating magazines to see what is popular and the range of choices. Think about the style of furniture you like. Is it modern, classic or antique? Do you prefer heavy, dark pieces or maybe something light and airy in teak? If the flooring is already down, you need to pick furniture that will go with it. For instance, if you've got ceramic tile throughout the living room, then heavy, dark furniture will look out of place. But if you're able to pick the flooring, then start with the furniture and then choose a flooring material that goes with the furniture you select.
When it comes to colors, look in your home's closets to see what colors you seem to favor. If your closets are full of sedate colors, then a flowering, tropical look is probably something to avoid. If your closets favor deep, rich colors that should tell you that you are comfortable around those shades. At least it gives you a place to start.
Living Room
Think first about how you will use your living room. If there is no den, then this will probably be the gathering place for the family. Does your family watch TV, or do you prefer quiet evenings, curled up with a good book? If it's the former, then put the television on the wall opposite the largest seating area – across from where you locate the sofa.
If there's no room for a big-screen television, can you get a flat screen and anchor it to the wall? If TV is not popular in your household, be sure to arrange furniture that facilitates conversation and includes some extra lighting for reading. Are you planning to entertain a lot? If that's the case, you may want to put your television set in an armoire that can be closed off. And you may want several end tables so your guests do not need to carry their drinks all evening. Again, conversation areas work best with guests.
Den
If your first house has a den, you can plan on a more formal living room and a casual den or family room. Place the television set in the den, with plenty of comfy seating. Get furniture upholstered in a more casual fabric – and invest in the damage warranty. This room will see plenty of action.
Dining room
If a formal dining room is part of your floor plan, you have several choices to make. First, select a style of
furniture that coordinates with what you chose for the living room. You do not want to look at a modern living room with leather slingback sofas right next to a formal dining room with a Queen Anne hutch. Try to get furniture that complements each other. If you foresee yourself hosting large get-togethers, like holiday dinners, then purchase the largest dining room table you can fit in the room. Be sure, however, that the table has leaves so you can reduce the size when not in use.
Master Bedroom
Your bedroom is your castle, but the question is what style of castle do you want? Do you want the formal four-poster bed or a modern bed with a padded leather headboard? If the bedroom is meant to serve two people, get at least two pieces of storage furniture – a dresser and a chest of drawers. And do not underestimate the need for twin bedside tables so you will not be stumbling in the dark for the telephone or the remote control.
Guest Room
If you see guests in your future, choose your guestroom furniture accordingly. For example, if both of your parents are expected to visit, then get a queen-sized bed. If the room is too small for the queen size, then consider a twin bed with a trundle bed underneath that can be brought out for visitors. Be sure you have a small dresser or chest so your guests can unpack and feel at home.
Kids' Room
Because kids grow, pick out furniture that will grow with them. Maybe consider bunk beds that can be broken apart. If the child is a baby, pick out a short chest of drawers that can double as a changing table now.
Accessories
While shopping, do not forget about some of the items that can make a house a home. Area rugs can add depth and warmth to rooms. Empty walls cry out for artwork. And small rooms can look much larger by putting mirrors on the wall. And any room should have at least three points of light. Furniture can go a long way toward setting the mood in your home. Before you make your next selections, be sure to consult this helpful guide.
Here are some steps that can help ensure you make the right decisions.
Start by looking at decorating magazines to see what is popular and the range of choices. Think about the style of furniture you like. Is it modern, classic or antique? Do you prefer heavy, dark pieces or maybe something light and airy in teak? If the flooring is already down, you need to pick furniture that will go with it. For instance, if you've got ceramic tile throughout the living room, then heavy, dark furniture will look out of place. But if you're able to pick the flooring, then start with the furniture and then choose a flooring material that goes with the furniture you select.
When it comes to colors, look in your home's closets to see what colors you seem to favor. If your closets are full of sedate colors, then a flowering, tropical look is probably something to avoid. If your closets favor deep, rich colors that should tell you that you are comfortable around those shades. At least it gives you a place to start.
Living Room
Think first about how you will use your living room. If there is no den, then this will probably be the gathering place for the family. Does your family watch TV, or do you prefer quiet evenings, curled up with a good book? If it's the former, then put the television on the wall opposite the largest seating area – across from where you locate the sofa.
If there's no room for a big-screen television, can you get a flat screen and anchor it to the wall? If TV is not popular in your household, be sure to arrange furniture that facilitates conversation and includes some extra lighting for reading. Are you planning to entertain a lot? If that's the case, you may want to put your television set in an armoire that can be closed off. And you may want several end tables so your guests do not need to carry their drinks all evening. Again, conversation areas work best with guests.
Den
If your first house has a den, you can plan on a more formal living room and a casual den or family room. Place the television set in the den, with plenty of comfy seating. Get furniture upholstered in a more casual fabric – and invest in the damage warranty. This room will see plenty of action.
Dining room
If a formal dining room is part of your floor plan, you have several choices to make. First, select a style of
furniture that coordinates with what you chose for the living room. You do not want to look at a modern living room with leather slingback sofas right next to a formal dining room with a Queen Anne hutch. Try to get furniture that complements each other. If you foresee yourself hosting large get-togethers, like holiday dinners, then purchase the largest dining room table you can fit in the room. Be sure, however, that the table has leaves so you can reduce the size when not in use.Master Bedroom
Your bedroom is your castle, but the question is what style of castle do you want? Do you want the formal four-poster bed or a modern bed with a padded leather headboard? If the bedroom is meant to serve two people, get at least two pieces of storage furniture – a dresser and a chest of drawers. And do not underestimate the need for twin bedside tables so you will not be stumbling in the dark for the telephone or the remote control.
Guest Room
If you see guests in your future, choose your guestroom furniture accordingly. For example, if both of your parents are expected to visit, then get a queen-sized bed. If the room is too small for the queen size, then consider a twin bed with a trundle bed underneath that can be brought out for visitors. Be sure you have a small dresser or chest so your guests can unpack and feel at home.
Kids' Room
Because kids grow, pick out furniture that will grow with them. Maybe consider bunk beds that can be broken apart. If the child is a baby, pick out a short chest of drawers that can double as a changing table now.
Accessories
While shopping, do not forget about some of the items that can make a house a home. Area rugs can add depth and warmth to rooms. Empty walls cry out for artwork. And small rooms can look much larger by putting mirrors on the wall. And any room should have at least three points of light. Furniture can go a long way toward setting the mood in your home. Before you make your next selections, be sure to consult this helpful guide.
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