| Buying furniture can take a big bite out of your | | | | very easy to drape an afghan, quilt, or blanket over |
| wallet. Even with careful thought and wise shopping, | | | | it to hide worn spots. You can make it last a lot |
| it is a major expense. Sometimes it is worth paying a | | | | longer that way. |
| little more money to get a piece that will last for | | | | - When buying wood furniture, as a general rule, the |
| years, rather than a very inexpensive item that will | | | | darker the wood, the more formal it is. Again, if you |
| fall apart or become hopelessly outdated in a short | | | | shop at IKEA, you will notice all their furniture is |
| time. On the other hand, some people pay | | | | casual, and almost all of it is stained in a light color, |
| outrageous sums of money for their furniture. Most | | | | like pine or birch. Wood grain with a lot of red in it, |
| of us neither want to do that, or have the financial | | | | like mahogany, is difficult to blend with lighter colors. |
| means to do so. | | | | For the most versatility, buy your wood stained in |
| There are some basic rules you can follow to keep | | | | medium to light shades. |
| the cost of buying furniture down, while selecting | | | | - When you look at the upholstery fabric on your |
| items that will serve you best for years to come. | | | | furniture, remember that it is only as strong as its |
| There are also factors to take into consideration so | | | | weakest fiber. When I was taking my Interior Design |
| that your furniture stays in good condition, is | | | | classes in college, we tested the fibers in fabric. We |
| comfortable for you, and well used. | | | | pulled them apart, and ran tests on them for several |
| Here are some guidelines: | | | | things, including strength and durability. Fabric that is |
| - Remember the design element of scale. Some | | | | made from several different kinds of fibers will |
| sofas are oversized, and others are small and seem | | | | probably not be as durable as a closely woven fabric |
| to hug the ground. IKEA is a discount store that sells | | | | made with one material. These are usually fabrics |
| a lot of very low furniture. If you have a big room, | | | | with a very smooth texture and tight weave. Pieces |
| you will want larger pieces. Smaller sized furniture | | | | that can be used in several ways, and in different |
| looks better in small rooms and apartments. IKEA | | | | rooms of your home, will serve you for years. Buy |
| manufactures their furniture in Scandinavia, where | | | | real wood when possible, and you have many options |
| dwellings are typically smaller than American sized | | | | to stain and paint over the years as needed. |
| spaces. Another benefit of their furniture is that it is | | | | - Buy furniture you know you will use. Think about |
| fire resistant. You can only find that at two retailers | | | | the function of each piece. Be sure you are spending |
| in the US. | | | | money on something you really need. |
| - Another thing to consider when buying sofas is the | | | | - Use multi-purpose pieces whenever possible. If you |
| height of your family members. You will not be | | | | are short on space, placing a television on a |
| comfortable sitting in a sofa when your feet do not | | | | bookcase is more practical than placing it on a stand. |
| reach the ground. On the other hand, if your knees | | | | Use small bookcases for tables, trunks for coffee |
| are in your face, the sofa is too small for you. This is | | | | tables, and bed units with drawers in the frame for |
| why couples should always shop together for | | | | children. You can also hide a lot of stuff under |
| furniture. | | | | fabric-covered tables. You can buy simple cardboard |
| - Buy the best quality furniture that you can afford, | | | | stands, meant to be covered, or make one yourself |
| preferable used. You can find bargains in the chipped | | | | by cutting a circle out of plywood and putting it on a |
| and dented section of many department stores, as | | | | sturdy base. |
| well as in the classifieds. If you have children, your | | | | - Finally, remember that mixing and matching is now |
| furniture is not going to remain pristine anyway, and | | | | in full fashion. You want your room to look like it has |
| a few scratches are nothing to get concerned about | | | | evolved over a period of time. This gives it the |
| if the quality is good. | | | | character and warmth you do not find in a furniture |
| - Keep your large upholstered pieces in a neutral color | | | | showroom. |
| and in a classic style. Visit Goodwill to visualize what | | | | Make good use of furniture that comes to you from |
| happens to trendy pieces. Very few people are | | | | all sources. Reupholstering chairs is not hard, and |
| comfortable with a lime green or burnt orange sofa in | | | | stripping wood and refinishing or painting it is a |
| their living room. Colors return, but they are in | | | | do-it-yourself project. Careful shopping, including |
| different shades. The hottest bright green now is a | | | | buying interesting used pieces, will give character and |
| kiwi color. I personally like that color, and have a | | | | personality to your home. It is also fun to be |
| futon cover in that shade. When it becomes | | | | surrounded by items that have a history or story |
| hopelessly outdated, I hope to just replace the | | | | associated with them, rather than a trip to the local |
| cover. When your furniture is in a solid color, it is | | | | furniture store. |