Just moved into a new place? Don't make these all-too-common furniture mistakes, writes
We’ve all been there: You’ve just moved into a new place, and you want to make it look fresh and fabulous, like, yesterday.
You’ve thumbed through all the Freedom Furniture catalogues and have a pile of home and shelter magazines at your bedside. Your living room will be the stuff of Pinterest dreams; your dining room will be a mid-century masterpiece.
But rush in too quickly and you’ll make some all-too-common mistakes when buying your furniture.
Not considering your lifestyle (or future plans)
Select pieces that suit your lifestyle, and consider how long you plan to keep a piece (especially if it’s a splurge). For example, a couple without children should consider how their family may grow over the next seven to 10 years. Same goes for pet lovers – does a red velvet-covered sofa make sense if you have a golden retriever with a penchant for napping on the furniture?
Going straight for the set
If you’re an inexperienced furniture shopper, you’re going to feel overwhelmed by all of the choices. And when you’re overwhelmed, you’re a lot more likely to just turn toward a catalogue or a retailer and furnish your entire home with the display that catches your eye.
But please don’t. It’s your home, not a showroom. The sofa and chairs should not match. The end tables and coffee table do not have to be twins. Consider mixing tones, textures, and styles you wouldn’t ordinarily think would pair well together.
Buying everything at one time
You want to have your place furnished already and start showing off your stylish new pad to guests. But beware of filling out the rooms in a big