Furniture

How to choose the best furniture 

Are you planning to furnish your home or office space? Furniture is an essential part of any living or working space. A house won’t feel like a home without furniture. An office wouldn’t be complete without the right furniture. Apart from providing a comfortable place to sit or a surface to dine or write, furniture can also transform the entire look of a space.

Having to furnish your new space or replace your existing furniture can be an overwhelming experience. This is especially true if you’re a beginner or you don’t know where to start. You have the option of buying any furniture that comes to mind. However, you have to think about the qualities that make the furniture ideal for your space.

If you’re unsure about the type of furniture you need for your space, we’re here to help you. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the various stages of selecting the furniture that will add functionality and style to your space.

The different types of furniture

There are many different types of furniture in the market. Your search for the best office or home furniture starts by understanding the various types of furniture. Let’s walk you through the different options to help you understand the type of furniture you need for your space.

Living room furniture

The living room is the focal point of any home. It’s the gathering spot for the family. As such, it’s important to find house furniture that will help you create a practical, comfortable, and beautiful space. Make sure you add enough furniture to accommodate everyone and leave sufficient space to move around comfortably. The most common types of living room furniture include sofas, sectionals, chairs, coffee tables, benches, open shelving, bookcases, and TV stands.

Dining room furniture

From regular family dinners to thanksgiving dinners and entertaining friends, the dining room is essential in any home. The dining room can also set the scene for private moments such as Sunday night dinner for two or morning coffee alone. These moments require the right furniture. The most common dining room furniture types include dining tables, side chairs, armchairs, bar stools, and counter stools.

Bedroom furniture

Unlike other rooms, the bedroom gives you more freedom in terms of design. After all, it’s only you and your partner who need to decide on the furniture that goes into the bedroom. Ideally, the bedroom should be functional and comfortable. Your choice of bed determines the quality of sleep you will have. For this reason, knowing which type to go for is crucial. Other types of furniture you need for your bedroom include mattresses, mirrors, dressers, chests, nightstands, and benches.

Office furniture

Whether you work from home or in an office, you need a comfortable, organised, and productive space. The average employee spends 8 – 10 hours a day, which is a significant amount of time. The comfort of your office furniture influences your productivity. For this reason, you should only buy furniture online that is comfortable. The most common types of office furniture include office desks, office chairs, and filing cabinets.

What is the right material for furniture?

The material you choose for your furniture influences the feel and look of your space, even though it may appear unimportant. When comparing the different furniture materials, take into account things like the desired aesthetic, home or office design, budget, weather, and more. You also need to keep in mind the room where you want to place the furniture. Below are the most common materials for furniture.

Wood

Arguably the most popular material, wood is a sturdy, natural, timeless classic that has been used to make both indoor and outdoor furniture for decades. Most furniture at home are made from wood. Whether it’s a bedroom or garden, wood is one of the best materials for making a unique piece of furniture. Investing in wood furniture is a great way of adding a natural look to your space. There are different types of wood available. These include teak, oak, acacia, and others.

Each type of wood is structurally and visually unique and adds something different to your space. Teak is particularly popular for its exceptional strength and durability. Its high oil content makes it resistant to water, pests, and weather. You can never go wrong with wood furniture.

Plastic

Lightweight and versatile, plastic is a popular furniture material that can be moulded into virtually any shape. It’s a low-budget material that makes a great choice for both indoor and outdoor furniture. Plastic furniture comes in various colours to suit your tastes and styling needs. However, plastic tends to lose its strength over time. Higher-grade plastics are stronger and more resistant to harsh weather conditions when used outdoors, though they cost a bit more than regular plastic.

Stainless steel

Light and durable, steel is another classic material that makes an excellent choice for furniture material. As the name suggests, stainless steel does not corrode, rust or stain easily. It is a popular choice for outdoor furniture as it can withstand the elements. Stainless steel furniture should last for many years with proper care and maintenance. Furniture made of stainless steel comes in different shapes and sizes that can be stored away without taking up much space. It can also work well with various design themes.

Glass

A relatively new furniture material, glass is quickly becoming a preferred material for indoor contemporary furniture. The main advantage of glass is that it’s easy to bend and curve into shapes that might be impossible with other materials. Tempered glass, a hardened glass, is often used to make these types of furniture. Glass furniture often has a minimalistic design and is often admired for its beauty and class.

Fabric

Fabric is another popular material for furniture. Often seen in upholstered sofas and chairs, fabric provides more comfort because it is softer and warmer. The durability of fabric depends on its grade and contents. It does not stretch like leather but comes in unlimited colours and patterns. Some of the most common fabric types are cotton, velvet, linen, and jute.For outdoor furniture, choose materials that are more resistant to the elements, such as polyester and acrylic fabrics.

Poly rattan

Rattan is one of the best furniture materials for both indoor and outdoor furniture as it is versatile and natural. However, the real product is a bit expensive and hard to maintain. Fortunately, there’s a great alternative to the material called poly rattan. Furniture made of poly rattan has a natural look, requires little maintenance, and is lightweight. Most importantly, they are durable and come in all shapes, sizes, and designs. Poly rattan is a great outdoor furniture material as it can withstand the elements.

Engineered wood

Also known as man-made wood or mass timber, engineered wood is a derivative of wood chippings and wood byproducts glued together and compressed to create a product that looks like wood. The most common types of engineered wood are plywood, MDF, and laminate. Furniture made from engineered wood is durable and resistant to humidity. This material is a good option for making stylish furniture for wardrobes, bookshelves, and kitchen cabinets.

What furniture size should you choose?

When shopping for furniture, you want to choose pieces that fit properly in your space. But how do you know what size you need? Well, that depends on the room you want to furnish. Here are a few pointers to help you choose the right size.

• Know the purpose of the room

To utilise your space effectively, it’s important to understand the purpose of the room. For example, if you have a big family, go for a sturdy sectional sofa that can accommodate more people. Also, choose a larger coffee table if your family prefers having meals in the living space rather than the dining room.

• Measure your space

The last thing you want is to buy a sofa or garden bench only to find out it doesn’t fit well. Surprisingly, many people today buy furniture online without knowing the size of their room or the furniture they want to put in it. Measuring might seem unnecessary, but it’s worth it. Take measurements of the length and width of the walls, floors, and room height.

• Design your layout

Knowing what you want and where you want it to fit will help you choose the perfect furniture. Designing a layout for your space will give you an idea of how it will look and feel once the furniture is in place. If your family loves watching TV and you’re looking for a sectional sofa that provides a lot of sitting space, your layout will help you determine what sofa size you need.

• Select your style

The style you choose also influences the size of furniture for every space. Going for a heavier modern piece will fill the space better if you have a larger room or outside area. On the other hand, bohemian-style furniture works well for small rooms. The dimension of each furniture style might be the same, but the visual weight might be different. Visual weight has an impact on how the furniture looks in the room.

How to select furniture that works well together

Now that you know what material and size of furniture to choose, the next step is selecting pieces that go together. You may have an idea of what you want, but you don’t know how to put it all together. Many people want to create a space with personality, incorporating a range of furniture designs. This guide will help you select stylish furniture that works together for a harmonious look.

• Colour: Using colour to mix and match your furnishings is a fantastic way to tie together a space with different furniture styles. Choose colours that pair beautifully, such as black and orange or purple and blue. If you want to add pieces in different colours to your room, make sure the backdrop has a neutral colour like beige or white. 

• Patterns: It feels nice to be in a room that successfully blends different patterns. Fabrics with contrasting colours and bold patterns provide continuity to a room with furnishings that don’t work well together. 

• Materials: If you prefer stained wood furniture, choose other pieces in the same shade. You can also combine light and dark wood; however, ensure you have enough pieces of both to balance. Metal is an excellent choice for a modern space but might not be the best option for a formal room.   

Here at vidaXL, we store a wide selection of furniture to choose from. Explore our collection to find the perfect piece for your space.