| One of the best things in life is choosing new | | | | most furniture. |
| furniture. The type of furniture you choose says a | | | | Next may want to think about furniture for your |
| lot about you as a person. You can transform a plain | | | | dining room. Again, the style of your home will |
| home into one that is welcoming and warm. Your | | | | influence your decision. If you want your dining room |
| likes and dislikes will influence the type of furniture | | | | to look elegant you'll very likely consider a classic, |
| you buy. Some of you will want to change your | | | | highly polished dining table and matching chairs. For a |
| furniture frequently. Others are happy to live with | | | | more `homely` look pine may be your choice. If your |
| the same furniture for years. Your budget will usually | | | | dining room is large you'll want matching dressers or |
| determine what you can buy but today there is a | | | | corner tables to complete the picture. |
| wealth of styles, colours, woods and fabrics to suit all | | | | Your following concern will probably be the kitchen. |
| budgets. As a general rule, the more expensive the | | | | Most are completely fitted these days so you may |
| furniture the longer it will last but this doesn't always | | | | only need to buy a kitchen table and chairs. The |
| apply. | | | | existing units and counter tops are generally a good |
| If you have young children you will probably need | | | | indication of the type of kitchen table you need |
| robust furniture that will stand up to wear and tear. | | | | which helps considerably when making a choice. You'll |
| On the other hand, retired people are often in a | | | | find the range is huge ! |
| position to indulge their love of fine, delicately | | | | Now it's on to the bedrooms where you can let your |
| constructed furniture. If you dislike classical or | | | | imagination run riot ! Your first task will consist of |
| traditional furniture you may well prefer modern, | | | | selecting the beds if you're furnishing throughout. I'm |
| contemporary styles or opt for the minimalist look. | | | | sure you know the mattress is the most important |
| Those who dislike reproduction furniture often have a | | | | purchase when making up your mind. This is one item |
| love for the real thing, that is, antique furniture which | | | | which really is worth spending as much as you can |
| comes with a high price tag. | | | | afford for obvious reasons. The better the mattress |
| Whatever your preference, whether it's mahogany, | | | | the more comfortable it will be and the longer it will |
| limed oak, yew, pine, cherry wood, teak or glass, | | | | last. The style of bed you choose will be personal |
| your choice will often reflect your individuality. It | | | | which shouldn't present a problem as this narrows the |
| indicates that you are making a statement about | | | | choice tremendously. |
| yourself. | | | | It there are no custom built wardrobes or chests of |
| Whatever you decide to buy can make your home | | | | drawers you'll need to add these to your list of |
| look smaller or larger which is often worth bearing in | | | | furniture to buy. Once more, the range is endless |
| mind. This doesn't really matter unless you have small | | | | including rich wood finishes such as mahogany, light |
| rooms, in which case the lighter the colour of | | | | limed oak, teak, pine or a white matt finish to name |
| furniture and furnishings the better, as these help to | | | | but a few. It's also worth remembering bedside |
| make the room look larger. | | | | tables. Here again your lifestyle will have an effect on |
| Buying furniture gives me a buzz particularly when | | | | your choices. Very young children or teenagers will be |
| buying sofas and/or armchairs. There are so many | | | | crucial to your decisions. |
| styles, fabrics and colours it can sometimes feel a | | | | You may have a conservatory in which case you |
| little overwhelming. Do you want plain, patterned, | | | | can't go wrong with pine or white cane furniture plus |
| striped, flowered, velvet, silk, tweed, cotton, leather | | | | deep, comfy cushions in whatever colour or pattern |
| or chintz fabric? Then again do you want a 2, 3, 4 | | | | takes your fancy. |
| seater or corner sofa? Perhaps you'd prefer two | | | | Should you have a family room, how you furnish it |
| sofas and no armchairs or a combination of both. | | | | will be dictated by how many people use it and how |
| Once those decisions have been made you can then | | | | often. If it's used frequently the furniture you choose |
| think about the style you want - ie traditional, | | | | obviously needs to be hard wearing. Leather or |
| modern, country house style etc. At this point you're | | | | tweed covered sofas usually work well in addition to |
| almost there ! This is my favourite part - actually | | | | being hard wearing and looking good. |
| getting to choose the furniture after giving it so | | | | For those of you who have a study or office |
| much thought ! | | | | remember that it, too, needs to be and look |
| You'll then want to concentrate on other furniture | | | | comfortable. So yet again you'll want to buy the best |
| such as coffee tables, occasional tables, lamp tables | | | | you can afford. Apart from a good desk and office |
| and maybe mirrors. | | | | chair, a really comfortable armchair is always useful |
| Your initial choice of sofas and/or armchairs will have | | | | and gives a cosy atmosphere. A matching bookcase |
| a considerable impact on the rest of the furniture | | | | will be functional as well as attractive. |
| you choose for the sitting room. You'll no doubt want | | | | Finally, the garden! Garden furniture is a must and is |
| these other pieces to complement each other which | | | | now much more comfortable than it used to be. |
| can be fun and fascinating to arrange. If your sitting | | | | Tables, chairs, sun loungers in matching or |
| room is small, glass topped coffee, occasional and | | | | co-ordinating fabrics look inviting and create a relaxed |
| lamp tables will give a feeling of space and light to | | | | atmosphere for the whole family. Last but not least |
| the room but can look equally stunning in much larger | | | | don't forget the canvas garden umbrella and stand. |
| rooms. In particular, glass topped occasional tables | | | | Oh, I almost forgot! You might like to add a couple |
| with brass legs usually look extremely good with | | | | of garden benches. |