Home Chic Club: 5 Tips For Choosing The Basic Furniture Like A Pro

When it comes to redecorating the home, people are often confused where to start. In this post I will try to give you the design tips that will help you make a good plan for your shopping and choose classic pieces that will last you for the long time and save you a lot of money on mistakes.

Think about your home like you thing about yourself, when it comes to fashion. Basic pieces for home are just like LBD (little black dress) in your wardrobe. These key pieces will help you build the basic of your home and they have to be timeless, classic and neutral. After you choose the right basics, you can add the rest, just like you`ll add accessories to your dress. By changing accessories, you can achieve the new, fresh look of your home any time or season, but your basics will stay the same.
If you`re not sure what`s your decorating style, check my post How to discover your interior design style. Also, if you are living in a small space, check my post How to live large in a small condo. I have 10 great tips there to help you achieve beautiful space no matter the size.

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1. Upholstered furniture

When it comes to upholstered furniture, like sofas or chairs, choose classic shape in neutral colors, like linen, beige, oyster, ivory, or even white. This elements in your space are the most expensive, so you want them to last you a long time and stay on trend. Most interior designers will choose classical furniture, because it`s aesthetically pleasing and elegant and never goes out of style. With this neutral base, you can dress up your space with a decorative pillows, blankets, art pieces, vases etc. This is how you create statement and personality in your space. Note: if you`re afraid of light colors, choose the sofas and chairs with a slipcovers. You can easily pop them in the washer and make them look as good as new.

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2. Carpet

Choosing the right carpet for your space is a question on how much bold do you want to be with it. If you are brave enough, you can choose colors that are complementing the rest of your decorative pieces, or you can play it safe and choose neutrals. Either way, choose a carpet that is 8x10, which is big enough to cover most of your seating area and stay underneath all your furniture. Smaller rug can look like a patch or a post stamp in the space.

If you want to make a bold statement with a rugs, you can also layer them. Choose one big neutral rug and add a smaller one with a pattern on top of it. This can create a playful and interesting feature in the, otherwise, neutral room.

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3. Side tables

Key thing when choosing the side tables, and their height. Choose a side tables that are about 20"-22" height. This will allow you to make them flexible, so you can use them almost anywhere in the house, like beside your sofa, between two armchairs or even as a bedside table in your bedroom. Color wise, choose neutrals (metallics are also neutrals), glass or contrasting color, like black to ground the space and add interest.

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4. Lamps

Lamps are also a great way to play off your space. So, in order to do that, choose lamps that are, in the main portion about 18"-24" hight, and then you can add the lampshade on top. Lamps are great way to make a statement, complete the room and make space more balanced in the overall scheme. Look for something interesting and beautiful, but not too overpowering, because they are not the focal point of the room.

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5. Coffee table

Coffee table is a must in any living room. A good coffee table gives you the surface space you need and adds the final touch to a living area's look. Select a coffee table that is no more than two-thirds of your sofa's total length. An important thing to remember is to leave enough space around the coffee table for leg space. Leave at least a foot and a half between the table and the sofa. Style and color wise, choose the coffee table that will complement the rest of your furniture to make the space feel proportional and balanced.

There you have it! Those are the 5 timeless basic pieces that are basic in every house. By using classical furniture, matching the colors with those of the walls, filling your home with lights and art and designing around your needs, you will have an absolutely beautiful home!