Create an ideabook for your next remodeling project!
Browse more than 1,500,000 photos from top designers and save your favorites
Decorate With Intention: 5 Key Furniture Pieces
Prepare for your home of the future while decorating for the present by choosing classic and sturdy furniture as a foundation
Houzz Contributor. You can also find me on Lolalina (http://www.lolalina.com/), my blog devoted to all of the things that make a house a home - decorating from the heart, living with intention, and savoring life's simple pleasures.
Houzz Contributor. You can also find me on Lolalina (http://www.lolalina.com/),... More »
Just as a beautiful garden design is built upon strong foundation plantings, an appealing room is created by layering accessories and smaller furnishings around a few classic, versatile pieces. Making smart decisions when it comes to choosing foundation pieces of furniture means a more cohesive home and fewer regrets down the road. Learning how to pick five key pieces will serve you well now and for many years to come.
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Foundation Piece Number One: The Armchair Everyone can use a great armchair. In a tiny studio apartment, one fabulous armchair can stand in for a sofa, and it can easily fit into a larger home one day. Comfort is absolutely essential, so purchase the best you can afford. If you love modern design, by all means splurge on an iconic seat like the Saarinen Womb Chair shown here. Most of the time it makes sense to go neutral in upholstery, but I would make an exception for classic red, which adds welcome color to a modern home. |
Not a fan of modern? Try an English roll-arm style. This classic shape is superbly comfortable for curling up in and grounds any room you put it in. Look for a chair that feels really heavy, which is a sign of quality construction. Turned wood legs, a kiln-dried hardwood frame and welting or piping where the upholstery meets the legs are other hallmarks to look for.
|
by Shannon Malone
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Foundation Piece Number Two: The Sofa When it comes to sofas, you really do get what you pay for. There is a time and a place for Ikea sofas, but when you want something to last, it usually means investing a little more money. Since this tends to be one of the largest purchases for the home, it is wise to play it a little safe. Go for a classic shape, high-quality construction and a neutral color for the most versatility. Tight back or loose cushions? Try out different styles to see which you prefer sitting in. Tight back, single-seat cushion sofas tend to look more formal, while those with lots of loose cushions telegraph a more relaxed vibe. |
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Consider an upholstered bench or banquette. If you have a small space, think about purchasing a sleek upholstered bench instead of a traditional squashy loveseat. This piece is much more versatile, because you can pull it up to a dining table or even place it in a hall or mudroom in a larger house later on.
Light or dark upholstery? A white sofa without removable slipcovers is pretty high maintenance, but add machine-washable slipcovers (which have gotten much chicer in recent years) and white can be a practical choice after all. Beige, "greige," charcoal and espresso are also highly versatile choices.
Light or dark upholstery? A white sofa without removable slipcovers is pretty high maintenance, but add machine-washable slipcovers (which have gotten much chicer in recent years) and white can be a practical choice after all. Beige, "greige," charcoal and espresso are also highly versatile choices.
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Beware of pieces that are too site specific. Unless you own your home and plan on living there for the foreseeable future, think twice before spending big bucks on something that might not work in another home. Extra-long and L-shape sofas can be tricky to position in smaller rooms, so choose one only if it is perfect for your current room and you are staying put. |
|
by Tara Bussema
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Kid-friendly leather. It seems counterintuitive, but leather chairs and sofas are actually a great choice when you have kids in the house. Spills wipe right off (of course the sooner you get to them the better), and the scratches and dings that come with age add character. One caveat: For a look with the most longevity, choose something tailored or a classic style like the Chesterfield shown here. Bulky, overly squashy leather pieces can read too bachelor pad. |
|
by Emily McCall
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Foundation Piece Number Three: The Dining Table You really can't go wrong with a beautifully weathered farmhouse table. Match the mood with rustic wood chairs or mix it up with a modern set like the Panton chairs shown here. Other versatile table styles to consider are a sleek-lined parson's table or a version that comes with removable leaves, which will work in a number of spaces. |
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| A note on chairs: These days, there is no need to match your dining chairs to the table, or even to have a set of matched chairs at all. If you have your eye on pricier chairs but can't afford to buy them all at once, fill in with inexpensive flea market finds. Paint them the same color for a cohesive look or leave them as is for a quirkier, more eclectic feel. |
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
A note on scale: If you live in an apartment, there is no need to forgo the dining table. A small round table like the iconic Saarinen Tulip Table shown here can fit in a tight spot and do double duty as a desk.
|
by Jeanette Lunde
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Think classic isn't your style? Bear in mind that classic pieces can always be revamped in the future if you really get bored with them (you could paint your Windsor-style chairs bubble gum pink!), but it is much harder to tone down a piece with an unusual shape. |
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Foundation Piece Number Four: The Bed An upholstered headboard with a great shape is an elegant choice, and is wonderful for those who like to sit up in bed and read. Even if you are not ready to buy a high-end bed frame, do put as much as you can into your mattress — good sleep is worth every penny. |
by Anthropologie
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Four-posters are another classic, and this version from Anthropologie has clean, modern lines that would look great in any number of settings.
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Foundation Piece Number Five: Case Goods
A lovely chest, dresser or other storage piece that is not too large can almost always find a home somewhere. So if you find something that catches your eye, I say go for it. Dressers and glass-front cabinets can be used in the bedroom, entryway or living room, or even in a large bathroom that is short on storage.
A lovely chest, dresser or other storage piece that is not too large can almost always find a home somewhere. So if you find something that catches your eye, I say go for it. Dressers and glass-front cabinets can be used in the bedroom, entryway or living room, or even in a large bathroom that is short on storage.
|
by Shirley Meisels
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Think about going vintage. For case goods especially, vintage pieces can be a better deal for high-quality construction than many new pieces on the market. If you love the midcentury modern look, seek out a vintage chest or sideboard. If you crave that posh decorator touch, give an antique dresser a coat of high-gloss paint for a glamorous look. Tell us: When you are buying furniture, what do you splurge on and what do you save on? |
Ideabook published on June 15, 2012.
What are you working on?
News From Our Partners
Latest Ideabooks
People found the photos in this ideabook after searching for:
View over a million photos:
Our kitchen table is the sturdy solid wood trestle table from World Market used as a dining room table in our first home.