Americans spend a lot on furniture. Bathroom furniture, living room furniture, area rugs, and even outdoor furniture are big expenses for the average family. Furniture is usually the third-most expensive item that a household will invest in, after the house itself and the family vehicles. Furnishings for the home are even expected to make up nearly 14% of all e-commerce in the United States by the year 2021. Living room furniture makes up a big chunk of our furniture purchases, and considering how much time we spend in our living rooms and how much money we’re willing to spend, it’s important to get living room furniture right.
- Get your priorities straight. Before you choose any living room furniture, think about what the space means to you. It’s a place that should reflect your style and values. It needs to be comfortable for the activities that you and your family engage in there. It also needs to be an inviting space for guests, and it needs to have a sense of style so that you can feel comfortable and fulfilled in your space. Don’t just buy the first thing that jumps out at you. Think about what you want out of your living room before you start buying.
Plan your space. Another crucial thing you need to do before buying is to map out your space. Create a floor plan on paper to help you understand how much space you have to work with. Sketch in, accurately, how much space furniture you already have or want to keep will take up. Think about the size of your living room in relation to the furniture, as well. Big pieces of living room furniture can be too much in a small space, just as little pieces will look strange in a big space. To do all this well, be sure to take measurements; and don’t forget the doorways.
Don’t skimp on such an important space. Not only will cheap furniture in the living room look terrible, but for items that get as much use as living room furniture, buying the cheapest items is really a false economy. You’ll end up having to replace those items far too soon, and you’ll quickly grow dissatisfied with the stains and rips that cheap fabrics and upholstery leave you with.
Consider having a coherent theme. Your individual pieces of living room furniture should look good together. One way to ensure this happens is to get pieces made in the same style: modern, old world, or casual, for example. Modern looks are clean and sleek, often featuring neutral tones. An old world look has a rustic, antique feel and usually employs earthy colors. Casual looks feel and look functional and often feature patterns.
Accent to your liking. Living room furniture can be enhanced, or ruined, by the right or wrong accent pieces. Your area rug, light fixtures, curtains, plants, or wall decorations can make or break things in a big way. Avoid having too many blank areas in the living room, and use plants to break up the monotony of man-made lines. That being said, it’s important to avoid unnecessary clutter. Pick and choose your accent pieces wisely, and use home organization products to ensure everything has its place.
You spend a lot of time in your living room. You make memories there with your family and friends. Make sure you’ve created a space that enhances these events by planning and buying the right living room furniture.