| As a first-time homeowner, choosing your furniture is | | | | casual fabric - and invest in the damage warranty. |
| both exciting and daunting. It's exciting to finally have | | | | This room will see plenty of action. |
| a place of your own. It's your chance to show the | | | | Dining room |
| world your taste and fashion sense. At the same | | | | If a formal dining room is part of your floor plan, you |
| time, it is scary. You will most likely be spending a | | | | have several choices to make. First, select a style of |
| nice chunk of change to furnish your new home and | | | | furniture that coordinates with what you chose for |
| you want to get it right. | | | | the living room. You do not want to look at a |
| Here are some steps that can help ensure you make | | | | modern living room with leather slingback sofas right |
| the right decisions. | | | | next to a formal dining room with a Queen Anne |
| Start by looking at decorating magazines to see | | | | hutch. Try to get furniture that complements each |
| what is popular and the range of choices. Think about | | | | other. |
| the style of furniture you like. Is it modern, classic or | | | | If you foresee yourself hosting large get-togethers, |
| antique? Do you prefer heavy, dark pieces or maybe | | | | like holiday dinners, then purchase the largest dining |
| something light and airy in teak? | | | | room table you can fit in the room. Be sure, |
| If the flooring is already down, you need to pick | | | | however, that the table has leaves so you can |
| furniture that will go with it. For instance, if you've | | | | reduce the size when not in use. |
| got ceramic tile throughout the living room, then | | | | Master Bedroom |
| heavy, dark furniture will look out of place. But if | | | | Your bedroom is your castle, but the question is |
| you're able to pick the flooring, then start with the | | | | what style of castle do you want? Do you want the |
| furniture and then choose a flooring material that | | | | formal four-poster bed or a modern bed with a |
| goes with the furniture you select. | | | | padded leather headboard? If the bedroom is meant |
| When it comes to colors, look in your home's closets | | | | to serve two people, get at least two pieces of |
| to see what colors you seem to favor. If your | | | | storage furniture - a dresser and a chest of drawers. |
| closets are full of sedate colors, then a flowering, | | | | And do not underestimate the need for twin bedside |
| tropical look is probably something to avoid. If your | | | | tables so you will not be stumbling in the dark for the |
| closets favor deep, rich colors that should tell you | | | | telephone or the remote control. |
| that you are comfortable around those shades. At | | | | Guest Room |
| least it gives you a place to start. | | | | If you see guests in your future, choose your |
| Living Room | | | | guestroom furniture accordingly. For example, if both |
| Think first about how you will use your living room. If | | | | of your parents are expected to visit, then get a |
| there is no den, then this will probably be the | | | | queen-sized bed. If the room is too small for the |
| gathering place for the family. Does your family | | | | queen size, then consider a twin bed with a trundle |
| watch TV, or do you prefer quiet evenings, curled up | | | | bed underneath that can be brought out for visitors. |
| with a good book? If it's the former, then put the | | | | Be sure you have a small dresser or chest so your |
| television on the wall opposite the largest seating | | | | guests can unpack and feel at home. |
| area - across from where you locate the sofa. | | | | Kids' Room |
| If there's no room for a big-screen television, can | | | | Because kids grow, pick out furniture that will grow |
| you get a flat screen and anchor it to the wall? If TV | | | | with them. Maybe consider bunk beds that can be |
| is not popular in your household, be sure to arrange | | | | broken apart. If the child is a baby, pick out a short |
| furniture that facilitates conversation and includes | | | | chest of drawers that can double as a changing table |
| some extra lighting for reading. | | | | now. |
| Are you planning to entertain a lot? If that's the | | | | Accessories |
| case, you may want to put your television set in an | | | | While shopping, do not forget about some of the |
| armoire that can be closed off. And you may want | | | | items that can make a house a home. Area rugs can |
| several end tables so your guests do not need to | | | | add depth and warmth to rooms. Empty walls cry |
| carry their drinks all evening. Again, conversation | | | | out for artwork. And small rooms can look much |
| areas work best with guests. | | | | larger by putting mirrors on the wall. And any room |
| Den | | | | should have at least three points of light. |
| If your first house has a den, you can plan on a | | | | Furniture can go a long way toward setting the |
| more formal living room and a casual den or family | | | | mood in your home. Before you make your next |
| room. Place the television set in the den, with plenty | | | | selections, be sure to consult this helpful guide. |
| of comfy seating. Get furniture upholstered in a more | | | | |