6 important things to consider when buying furniture
Function and size are key. Everything you need to know about your home, from securing a mortgage to painting your living room.
1. Ergonomics are fundamental
"Having something fit your ergonomic requirements trumps what it looks like in the space."
For instance, she might place a higher-backed sofa before the television so that tall family members don’t have to lie down every time they watch a show.
Check with the whole family before making a final purchase. Everybody sits in the sofa differently, so having everyone try it out first is important to avoid costly returns.
2. Double-check dimensions
Ask yourself how a piece will fit in the intended room, as well as how it will be transported there. The latter is too often overlooked. Before buying, use painter’s tape to block out where the piece will go in the room and take measurements of all the doors and stairwells it will traverse to make it home.
3. Consider construction
Do a bit of research into where a piece of furniture was made and its materials, in order to avoid products that might contain harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde or fire retardants. Both substances have historically been common in furniture construction.
Formaldehyde is currently found in wood glue, while fire retardants are often in upholstery foam. While it’s not possible to completely avoid contact with these chemicals, making more informed purchases might lessen your exposure via their off gassing.
4. Don’t be afraid to go bigger
Assessing whether a piece of furniture is proportional to the room and to the other pieces around it, or understanding if you got the scale right, can be tricky for non-designers.
5. Balance shapes
To get a pleasing mix of furniture pieces in a single room, For instance, if you have a round lampshade and a round mirror above a fireplace, then maybe you do a rectangular coffee table and a rug that has a graphic pattern, just to balance out the shapes.
6. Try vintage or custom
Davin always prefers scouting out vintage furniture or having something custom built for a space, rather than buying from big box retailers. When shopping for vintage find things that you absolutely love.
If having custom goods built to your specifications seems too intimidating, Give them the dimensions and have them take one of their rugs and bind it to the perfect size, because having a rug that is custom to the space can elevate the room more than anything else.
