IF YOU'VE JUST MOVED INTO A NEW HOUSE AND YOU'RE READY TO REDECORATE IT TO SUIT YOUR LIFESTYLE, IT'S EASY TO BECOME OVERWHELMED.
There are so many decisions to be made about style and budget, and so many options are available. Below are three tips to help you choose furniture that is practical, fits your new home and lifestyle, and that you'll enjoy for years to come.
1. MAKE A WISH LIST AND SET A BUDGET
Your first task is to decide what you can afford to spend on furniture and homewares. Once you have set your budget, make a wish list of all the pieces you'd love to acquire. The list might include pieces that enhance your favourite decorating style, such as French Provincial or Mid-century Modern, or you might require custom-made furniture to suit specific spaces and storage needs.
Next, add the colours, textures and patterns you'd prefer, whether you want a casual, formal or contemporary look.
Once you have compiled your wish list, you’ll be in a better position to spend your budget wisely and prioritise your purchases. Remember that you can keep adding pieces over time, so you don’t necessarily need to buy a houseful of furniture as soon as you move in!
2. SELECT FURNITURE THAT'S FUNCTIONAL AND APPEALING
There's no reason why your furniture can't be both practical and beautiful. After all, you’ll be using and seeing it every day!
For example, if you love the simple, fresh and elegant appeal of the Hamptons-style, you can create this look while also maximising storage space and ease of maintenance. Timber furniture is an ideal choice for this decorating style. Choose white or ivory timber buffets with plenty of drawers and cupboard space, timber bookcases, elegant ottomans and light-coloured sofas with washable covers for a Hamptons-style look that's practical for family living and yet stylish at the same time.
3. CONSIDER YOUR LIFESTYLE
To help you make the best possible selection, it's important to consider the little things you enjoy doing every day. Do you love to snuggle up with a book in your favourite chair in the evenings? Do you need a quiet corner with a desk and office chair to write blogs after work? Or do you plant yourself on the sofa in front of a TV or mobile device for several hours?
Choose a sofa you can't wait to sink into, with a lamp and lamp table for mood lighting, and a generous TV unit for family movie nights!
If you have a large family and you enjoy eating dinner together every night, buy a timber dining table with chairs or benches that seats everyone comfortably, fits with your theme, and contributes to the enjoyment of family dinners, rather than just the function of dining.
Regardless of your budget, if you ensure that your furniture selection is both practical and aesthetically appealing, your new house will quickly become a much-loved family home.