About a year ago, my friend Monica moved into her forever home, a beautiful space with high ceilings and big windows that just begged for some stunning new furniture.
Excited, she set off to make her house a home, armed with Pinterest boards and a vision of the perfect living room. But after hours of scrolling through websites, and weekends lost visiting showrooms, she was more confused than ever.
“I thought furniture shopping would be fun,” she told me, “but now I’m just overwhelmed. How do I know what will even look good in my space? And how do I make sure it all goes together?”
Sound familiar? If you’ve ever felt like Monica – stuck between endless options, unsure of where to start – you’re not alone. Furniture shopping can quickly go from exciting to overwhelming when you’re faced with so many choices.
How do you know where to start? Whether you’re trying to furnish your living room, bedroom, or any other space, choosing the right furniture isn’t always easy.
The secret? Asking the right questions before you buy! These five questions will guide you through the furniture selection process and help you make choices that reflect your style, meet your needs, and create a cohesive, functional space.
What Should I Consider When Choosing Furniture?
When choosing furniture, consider these key factors: the purpose of the piece, how it complements your overall style, whether it’s the right size and scale for your room, its durability and how well it will hold up over time, and how easy it is to maintain and care for. By asking yourself these questions, you can make informed decisions and choose furniture that fits your lifestyle, space, and design preferences.
Let’s go through these questions in a little more detail below.
Images via Pinterest.
1. What Purpose Will This Furniture Serve in My Space?
First things first: every piece of furniture should have a purpose. Whether you’re looking for a cozy armchair to sink into at the end of a long day, or a sleek dining table that’s perfect for entertaining, understanding the function of each item is key to making sure it fits your lifestyle.
Start by asking yourself: Is this piece for comfort, storage, or making a style statement? For example, if you have young kids or pets, that gorgeous white linen sofa may not be the best choice. Instead, you might want something more durable, like a plush microfiber sectional that’s both stylish and easy to clean.
Pro Tip: Think about how the furniture will be used day-to-day. Is it functional for your needs? Or will it end up just taking up space? We talk about how to choose the perfect sofa for your living room in this post here.
2. How Will This Piece Complement My Overall Style and Create a Consistent Look?
Here’s where we dive into the fun part – style! Your home should feel like a reflection of you, and consistency in design is essential for creating a cohesive, polished look. Before you fall in love with a new piece, take a step back and think about your overall style. Does this piece of furniture fit with the rest of your home?
For example, if your home leans toward modern minimalism, a rustic farmhouse dining table might feel out of place. That’s not to say you can’t mix and match styles (I’m all for eclectic designs!), but there needs to be a common thread that ties everything together. Look at your color palette, materials, and shapes. The goal is to create a flow that makes your home feel connected and intentional.
Pro Tip: Take stock of your current space and choose furniture that enhances your overall aesthetic rather than competing with it. A consistent style creates a seamless, harmonious feel throughout your home.
Also, you can learn about different sofa styles in this post we have over here.
Images via Pinterest.
3. Is This Furniture the Right Size and Scale for My Room?
You’ve probably heard it before: measure twice, buy once. It’s advice that’s all too often ignored. But getting the size and scale of your furniture right is crucial to avoid overwhelming (or underwhelming) a room. A couch that’s too big can dominate a small living room, while a tiny coffee table might get lost in a larger space.
But here’s the kicker: scale matters just as much as size. It’s not just about how a piece fits in the room physically – it’s about how it relates to everything else in the space. A tall headboard in a room with low ceilings? Not ideal. Or, an oversized sofa with a tiny side table next to it? That creates a visual imbalance.
Pro Tip: Before you buy, grab a measuring tape and sketch out your room to see how the furniture will fit. Make sure the pieces feel balanced in relation to each other and the overall space.
Learn about how to get the right living room layout here.
4. How Durable and Functional Is This Furniture?
Let’s talk about longevity. We all want furniture that looks great, but it’s just as important to think about how it will hold up over time. Is that beautiful velvet sofa practical for daily use, or will it start showing wear after a few months of Netflix marathons?
Think about how different materials will age. Leather, for example, develops a rich patina over time, which can add character to a piece. On the other hand, lighter fabrics can fade or show stains more easily. Solid wood furniture tends to age gracefully, while particleboard might not stand the test of time.
Pro Tip: Choose materials and construction that are built to last. Consider how the furniture will be used and whether it can withstand daily wear and tear. It’s better to invest in something durable now than to replace worn-out pieces down the road.
Images via Pinterest.
5. Is This Piece Easy to Maintain and Care For?
Lastly, don’t forget the practical side of things! It’s easy to get caught up in how gorgeous a piece looks in the store, but how easy will it be to maintain? The reality is, furniture that requires constant upkeep or delicate cleaning might not be practical for your lifestyle.
If you have kids or pets, look for fabrics that are stain-resistant or easy to clean, like microfiber or leather. For dining tables, consider how the surface will hold up to spills and everyday use. High-maintenance furniture might look great in the short term, but if it’s a hassle to keep clean, you’ll quickly regret the purchase.
Pro Tip: Choose furniture that fits your lifestyle. If you prefer low-maintenance pieces, make sure you pick materials and finishes that are easy to care for and will look great for years to come.
Images via Pinterest.
There you have it! By asking yourself these five simple questions, you can take the guesswork out of furniture shopping and make sure the pieces you choose are perfect for your home. Remember, the right furniture should strike a balance between style, function, and durability. It should make your life easier, not harder!
So, what happened to Monica? After feeling overwhelmed by all the choices, she decided to enlist my help. Together, we went through these five key questions and more as part of our decorating process, narrowing down what she truly needed and wanted in her home. Once we had a clear plan in place, the whole process became so much easier.
Instead of second-guessing her decisions, with the help of our 3D style boards Monica felt confident about each piece we selected – from the perfectly sized sectional that fit her living room like a glove, to the durable dining table that could handle everything from family dinners to weekend projects. By focusing on functionality, style consistency, and durability, we created a space that reflected her personality (and her husbands!) and met lifestyle needs of their family.
In the end, Monica’s home came together beautifully, and more importantly, she felt at peace with every choice she made. Now, she has a space that feels cohesive, comfortable, and uniquely her – all without the stress and overwhelm that so often comes with furniture shopping.
If you’re feeling stuck like Monica was, don’t worry – I’m here to help! Whether you need advice on a single piece or want guidance for your entire home, I can simplify the process and help you create a space you’ll love.
