I'm more than a little obsessed with all things 'home' and love nothing more than shopping for new furniture and accessories. Often, budget has triumphed over style or longevity, reminding me once again that 'if you buy cheap, you buy twice'. Good quality furniture lasts longer, but it's important as well to consider styles that will never go out of fashion, look out dated or clash with style changes.
In short, when making larger furniture choices, good quality and classic designs are key. Quality doesn't always have to come at a price, with special offers or even pre loved pieces out there that will be the perfect fit for your home. To ensure that your home always looks great for the long haul, it’s a good idea to invest in timeless classics rather than 'one year wonders' when you’re buying furniture.
Here are some tips for doing just that;
Choose Established Brands
If you’re looking to fill your home with timeless furniture, your first step should be to look for brands which have been around for a long time, such as Chesterfield, which has been around since the 19th century. The fact they have been trading for so long is a sure sign of their quality and enduring popularity. I am a huge fan of Chesterfields and think they are a true classic, a design icon that look as good in modern interiors as they would have 100 years ago.
You might think that buying from such prominent companies is too expensive, but if you're lucky you can pick one up second hand or even catch a designer chesterfield sofa sale if you prefer to buy new. A Chesterfield sofa or Taylor’s table may well last you a whole lifetime, making them well worth the money.
Check Out Old Interior Design Mags & Books
A great way of picking out those furniture items that truly have stood the test of time, is to literally look back in time. Aside from online research, you can find old interior design magazines from various eras on eBay, where you'll be able to look back on past trends and identify the types of furniture that have always been present and those which very quickly looked dated, giving you a better eye for the classic.
Visit Antique Shops
Visiting antique shops is a great way to pick up furniture that is considered timeless. Most antique shops will choose only the finest pieces, the pieces that will always be popular, because that is what makes them money. I think a lot of people think of antiques shops as being packed with over polished rejects, but actually you'll find all sorts from various eras, some true classics to give a new lease of life to in your home.
Clean Lines are Key
Furniture that features clean lines rather than ornate carvings and bold patterns are far more likely to look classically fantastic in 20 years time, because let’s face it, clean, fresh furniture never looks bad. There's always heaps of furniture with clean lines out there in a range of budgets, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to find what you want. Just make sure the furniture you choose fits in your space and blends well with older pieces.
Stick to Neutral Colours
If you want your furniture to be as fashionable in 20 years time as it is right now, it’s probably a good idea to stick to neutrals because colours like white, black and cream rarely go out of style unlike that fuschia pink that was popular a few years ago or the burnt orange that was all the rage in the 70s. If you like colour, you can use accents like cushions and art prints to bring spice the space up a bit, or add a dramatic feature wall.
Nature is Best
As well as using neutral colours, you should also try to choose furniture that's made out of natural materials like oak, cotton and marble. I love solid wood furntiure and if you get it right it really can last a life time. These materials always look attractive and beam quality. Unlike man-made materials like Formica and polyester, they never go out of style, nor do they make your space look tacky and outdated.
Test for Comfort
If you’re planning to keep your furniture for a long time, it’s obviously important that it’s comfortable, so be sure to try it out beforehand if you don’t want to be stuck with a sofa that feels like you’re sitting on concrete for the next decade.
Hopefully, these tips will help you to choose furniture you'll love, that will also stand the test of time, ensuring your space is always stylish. Do you have any classics in your home?
*Collaborative post.
