Choosing furniture is about a lot more than finding something that looks great. It can be an investment, and as with any investment, you want to make the right choice that you’re going to be happy with over the long-term.
Some of the considerations that play a role in choosing furniture, of course, include the aesthetic and the price, but what else?
If you have pets or kids, then you’re going to have to think about the extra wear and tear on the items you choose. If you have a small space or a very large space, you’ll have unique logistical considerations. What about timelessness? If you’re going to be spending a fair amount on an item such as a new sofa or a chic, modern loveseat to go with that sofa, how do you know you’re going to love it for long enough to get your money’s worth?
All of these are important, and focusing on durability and style are among the most significant priorities. The following are some tips for choosing furniture that is going to stand the test of time physically but is going to be stylish at the same time.
Upholstery
Before choosing a new piece of furniture, it might be worth giving yourself a crash course on upholstery. Upholstery is a critical component of durability, and it’s also important visually. If you don’t have kids or pets, you may be able to go with upholstery that’s maybe more luxurious. For example, you might go with something that’s velvet and even a light color.
If you have kids or pets, you’re going to have to think about not only stains but also the fact that there will be a lot of general wear and tear the furniture is subjected to.
In some areas, even if you do have kids and pets, you can still go with a more delicate type of upholstery, as long it’s not going to be physically in contact with your family all the time. For example, save the more delicate upholstery for a bed headboard.
If you want the utmost in durability, maybe consider something made from a material that would typically be used in outdoor fabric. Also good for durability and longevity is upholstery that has a lot of natural variations in it because the imperfections aren’t going to show up as much when they do occur.
Removable Covers
If there’s one thing that’s amazing beyond all else when it comes to choosing furniture that’s durable and will stand the test of time, it’s the removable cover. Furniture pieces with removable covers are good on so many levels.
First, of course, you can wash them. You can also replace them if the wear and tear become too much without replacing the entire piece. If you get sick of the color or pattern, you can easily change it out as well.
Color and Pattern
If you want durability and you’re worried about spills and all the things that can happen in daily life, you might think about choosing furniture items that are colorful and patterned.
Colors and patterns are a good way to keep stains and imperfections hidden. Bold and large prints can work especially well.
Durable Materials
Outside of upholstery, choosing durable materials is a good idea if you want longevity from your furnishings. Think about materials that are not only going to stay in good shape and be strong over time but also materials that look okay if they do get some wear and tear.
Wood and acrylic are two good options. Acrylic can be especially good because it has a minimal footprint that works well in smaller spaces and it’s so versatile. For example, acrylic coffee tables and side tables always look chic, and they’re easy to clean. They have the beauty of glass but without the breakage risks.
Wood is always a good bet, as is wool when it comes to floor coverings.
What you might avoid is marble. Sometimes people will have their eye on a marble coffee table, and at first, it can seem like a durable investment choice, but that’s not necessarily going to be the case. Marble is a lot weaker than it looks in many cases, and it may stain or chip easily. It’s also tough to clean sometimes.
Finally, when you’re choosing furniture, you can ground a space with one expensive investment piece, and then build less expensive replaceable items around that so you won’t feel guilty if something gets ruined or you’re just not interested in having it anymore.
