What are the Smartest Furniture Investments for Your Home?

Here’s the reality — when you’re investing in your home, you’re probably not going to splurge on every single item. It makes more sense to invest in the right quality pieces that will stretch your investment as long as possible into the future.

So, the big question… Which items are worth investing in? To answer answer that question, I have a few more for you.

Grab a glass and come play 20 10 questions with me…

FURNISHINGS THAT ARE WORTH INVESTING IN…

QUESTION 1: DO YOU SIT ON IT?

If you sit on it, invest! This includes sofas, living room lounge chairs, dining room chairs, and beyond. If it’s where your rump rests, invest in quality that will last.

QUESTION 2: DOES IT HAVE DRAWERS AND DOORS?

If yes, invest! Drawers and doors — which are most likely storage spaces — will get a lot of love over time. Investing in quality will pay off in the long run!

QUESTION 3: DO YOU ONLY LOOK AT IT?

If it’s purely visually appealing with little to no functioning parts, save! You don’t need the most expensive, high-quality end table, when a mid-market one will make you equally as happy. Which brings me to my next question…

QUESTION 4: DOES IT MEASURE UP TO YOUR SPACE?

Even when you’re trying to save, you always want to make sure the piece feels worthy of sitting next to your other pieces. The HomeSense finds don’t always measure up in a room with exquisite selections, and obvious “saves” may end up countering the timeless elegance you’ve achieved.

HOW TO KNOW IF NEW FURNITURE IS QUALITY FURNITURE…

Okay, so you’ve asked yourself the questions above and you know exactly which pieces you want to invest in. Fabulous. Now you have to decide which pieces are quality… Is price an indicator? What should you look for?

QUESTION 5: CAN YOU SEE EVIDENCE OF FINE CRAFTSMANSHIP?

Excellent craftsmanship shows attention to details. Welds should be smooth and polished. Edges should not be rough. Joinery should look well fitted, NEVER glued alone.

QUESTION 6: WHAT’S GOING ON IN THAT FRAME?

Can you feel the frame under your upholstered pieces? Especially on the arms of sofas and chairs, it’s important that the frame is solid and sturdy. If you can’t feel it through all the fluff, you probably don’t have a quality piece on your hands. Hardwoods are also your best bets for frames that will last.

QUESTION 7: DO YOU HAVE A SEAT OR A SINK?

Even if you like a little bounce to your seat, if your bum sinks, you do not have quality a piece with quality seat support. It will sink quickly and you’ll be in search of a new chair or sofa in no time. Look for pieces that offer full seat support from Day 1.

FURNISHINGS THAT ARE WORTH RESTORING OR REUPHOLSTERING…

Our final question for today… what about those pieces you already own and love? Which are smart to restore or reupholster, and which are going to cost more than they’re worth?

QUESTION 8: DO YOU LOVE THE SHAPE?

Shape is one feature you’re not able to change. If you love the shape, your piece can be reinvented and refurbished in any number of ways. Give it a fresh coat of paint, some new, updated reupholstery, or split up a larger set of chairs and reinvent them in pairs!

We revamped this original set of 4 to chairs to sets of 2! For the Grand Salon and Petit Salon in our Contemporary Parisian Remodel.

QUESTION 9: DOES IT HAVE CHARACTER?

Does it have character, interesting history, or tell a story? Does the piece feel sentimental? If it means something to you, keep it and give it some new life. Pieces with stories make a space feel less ‘bought’, more collected, and most importantly — about the humans living there.

QUESTION 10: CAN YOU LIVE WITH A NEW SEAT?

Reupholstery always includes refurbishing the piece: new foam, new Dacron, new feathers. This sounds all fine and good at first glance, but you should be prepared for Grandma’s favorite chair to not ‘sit’ the same. If that’s a-okay with you, go refresh that beautiful piece!

Well, I think it’s safe to say that I’ve given you plenty of questions to think about. Who knew we could get so detailed about furnishings?

If you have any specific questions about sniffing out quality pieces or refurbishing your own, send us a quick note and I’d be happy to answer!

It’s also worth mentioning that if you have a designer assisting with your home project, all of this knowledge (and a WHOLE lot more on this topic) is on your side every step of the way. Food for thought.

See you back here in two weeks, beautiful people…

XxLeAnne