So how do you select the best furniture for your home? First, look for furniture of quality. Then, look for furniture design that can adapt to different styles. For example, a quality made sofa that can adapt to both a formal and informal setting can pay dividends for years because of its versatility. The sofa could begin in a music room or library first as a formal piece and then be repurposed later as a more casual piece in a family room with a different style. With a sofa, I recommend that you select a solid body cloth in one of your favorite colors instead of a pattern, because its much less expensive to switch out pillows and throws to create a new look, instead of purchasing a new couch. Also, think about the style of the sofa you select. A sofa with a hot new trendy look will become outdated much quicker than a traditional sofa with rolled arms and a straight back.

Functionality is a key factor in selecting furniture too. For example ottomans are a great purchase because they can serve not only as a footstool but also as a coffee table or extra seating. If you are selecting upholstered furniture for a certain age group, remember to consider how the furniture will be used. For example with children, select furniture with a durable fabric and with the elderly, remember to look for furniture that can function as a command center since elderly people tend to spend more time seated. Their furniture needs high quality cushioning that’s comfortable but also easy to get in and out of. Armrests that extend beyond the edge of the chair are also helpful because leg strength tends to decrease with age, requiring more arm strength to get up.

With a move to more casual homes that live large, but aren’t necessarily as big, the trend has been towards comfortable, space saving furniture that’s movable. For example, a leather ottoman is now available that can serve as a footstool, a storage unit or a side table by simply flipping over the leather top to expose a wood tray. And a flight recliner is available now that doesn’t look like a recliner or take up as much space. This recliner actually resembles a seat on an airplane and fits into many more design settings than a traditional recliner.

Nuit tables for the office have also become available with a look similar to a rolling hospital room tray. These tables have adjustable heights that can accommodate a laptop, phone or books and they can fit into almost any space. Another great solution for tight spaces are service tables. These tables can nest inside each other and their unique design with only two legs allows them to slide under individual seating into the space above your lap to create a work or eating area. Some of the new functional dining room tables now extend widthwise instead of lengthwise to create a more squared off intimate grouping and console tables are being designed for homes without dining room space that can convert instantly to a dining room table. As a console table, half the table-top hangs vertically down along the side of the console against the wall, creating more space until needed. Coffee tables are now being designed with four sliding leaves that can pull out in all directions and they can be purchased with tops that flip over to another finish for versatility in your decor. Babuschka chairs are another unique furniture design. Three chairs stack inside each other and can be sat on when stacked, creating additional seating possibilities. One of the most interesting furniture designs I’ve seen lately, though, is a circle sofa from Germany. The sofa’s four separate components come together to form a completely enclosed circle. Now that’s what I call an intimate conversation area!

According to a study by the IFDA, International Furnishings and Design Association, executives and home based workers want office furniture now that’s multifunctional, modular, movable, and ergonomic. To me a control center feel is best, where I can reach everything easily and the furniture can be moved or adjusted to fit my changing needs.

Remember that your entrance hall creates the first impression of your home and sets the tone for the whole house. So make sure that you showcase your best furniture or accents here, if at all possible.

As you begin to layout furniture in the remainder of your house, establish a focal point in each room. If you don’t have a focal point, create one with a an item of interest such as a fabulous print, wall hanging, armoire or beautiful piece of furniture.

In the public seating areas, place your biggest upholstered piece of furniture facing towards your focal point such as a fireplace. Then add the rest of your furniture, creating conversational groupings that flow with the architecture of your home. Make sure that your groupings draw your eye towards your focal point and make it the focus of the room. Once you’ve created your conversational groupings, expand the groupings that are located in bigger spaces to fill the room and condense groupings that are in smaller spaces to fit the space.

Add tables for holding drinks or food and keep your seating no more than an arm’s length from a table surface. Use tables that are no more than two inches difference in height from your upholstered seating, when possible,
and try to unite mismatched tables with color, wood tone or style.

Lighting is also important in your design and should be laid out in a diagonal or triangular pattern. And don’t forget that the bottom of your lampshades should be at about eye level.

Anchor your conversation areas with area rugs, when possible, to unite the groupings and create warmth. These area rugs should be of a similar design style to your furniture and should repeat some of the same colors.

To layout your furniture in a cohesive design, select upholstered furniture whose height differences are five inches or less. Use color and fabric to unite mismatched pieces and pair chairs together with a similar size, color or shape.

Balance heavy and light furniture throughout your room and remember that bold patterned or bold colored furniture looks heavier and leggy furniture appears lighter. For example, if you choose upholstered furniture with skirted bottoms, balance these upholstered pieces with tables that have legs. To add weight to a case piece like a chest or table, flank the piece with wall art.

As you select your furniture, ensure that the size of your furniture matches the room size and that the design goes with the architectural style of your home. Create rhythm in your rooms by repeating colors and patterns on your furniture and give your eye a place to rest, by leaving some blank areas in the room such as a corner. Add peaks and valleys vertically with your furniture layout to generate interest and make sure that you add at least one unusual or unique item that you love just for fun.

For your bedroom layout, place the bed, your focal point on the longest wall away from the door. Flank the bed with end tables and lighting, either on the tables or wall. Then, add a seating area with a chair or chairs for relaxing and unwinding, a table for books and light for reading, if room allows