INVESTING IN TIMELESS DESIGN
Choose Furniture That Lasts
Have you just moved into a new home or are you redesigning a room? It’s an exciting time which can fuel a spending spree on lots of lovely new things. However, I invite you to pause and consider a different strategy. Let me explain why I champion timeless design when choosing furniture and fittings.
Take the Long-term View of Interior Design
Are you tempted by an ‘out with the old, in with the new’ approach to achieve a fresh look?
While it’s great to get a room fitted out and finished, I believe we need to take a longer-term view of interior design. Once purchased, you need to live with these furniture and fittings for some time. So, will that trendy sofa still appeal when a different look is in fashion? Is that bargain dining set going to look battered in a year or two?
Classic and timeless pieces stand the test of time. Therefore, spending more to get quality craftsmanship will pay dividends. Yes, I know that might mean sitting on beanbags while you save up. However, in the long term, you’ll gain so much.
Investing in Design Classics
A friend recently shared that she wished she’d inherited furniture from her grandparents. They saved up to purchase a set of Ercol lounge chairs and a pebble table nest in 1960. Despite decades of use by children and grandchildren, this British-designed and crafted furniture is still as desirable and valuable today. It needed reupholstering, sanding and finishing to work with modern schemes, but it will see many more decades of use.
My advice: favour craftsmanship over trends and compare the long-term value rather than the cost. Classics never go out of style, so follow the ‘buy once, keep forever’ philosophy.
Budget Conscious Purchases
We all have a budget, but that doesn’t limit the option of purchasing high-quality, durable furniture. When styling interiors, I often search preloved furniture showrooms for the perfect piece. One advantage of buying second-hand is you are not limited by current trends. So, be original and seek out items that fit with the period of your home or room design. You can always update with new handles and other finishing touches to personalise.
My advice: be picky and patient; there is no room for impulsive purchases when you are on the hunt for a timeless classic! Also, keep a tape measure at hand, to be certain that you have the ideal fit.
Try Out Furniture Before Buying
I appreciate it is easy to shop online. However, nothing beats being able to sit on an armchair, lie on a mattress or open and close drawers. Remember, these are items that you plan to live with for years, so do you like how they feel and operate? Is it comfortable and does it offer sufficient space for your needs?
My advice: prepare and don’t be rushed into a decision. Think about how you live and use furniture before shopping. Then try it out. If it’s the wrong height, size, shape or firmness, it’s not right for you.
Sustainable Interior Design
In addition to offering you long-term value and durability, timeless design is an environmentally sustainable option. We’ve all heard about fast fashion and the associated exploitation of workers and waste. Fast furniture comes with the same negative impact. If you buy a cheap cabinet, it looks tired in a year and the door won’t close in two. So, you discard it, replace it and the negative cycle continues.
My advice: research furniture brands and take note of their values and green credentials. How do they manage a sustainable supply chain? Can you purchase spare parts if repairs are required?
Choose Furniture That You Love
Whether it’s a family heirloom, a preloved bargain, a bespoke piece or an iconic classic, choose furniture that you love and connect with. For me, that means seeking out quality and natural materials. Incorporating natural materials into our homes has been proven to have positive effects on our well-being and I love that my home is my sanctuary.
My advice: if you love bold colours and patterns, consider adding these with artwork, light fittings and soft furnishings, as more neutral furniture is more likely to stand the test of time.
A Room with Timeless Appeal
I hope that this article has encouraged you to consider the long-term value and impact of your furniture decisions. Remember that you don’t need everything to match to achieve a harmonious interior. Equally, there is no need to fill a room with furniture. Instead, let the eye be drawn to a couple of timeless showstoppers!
If you are unsure where to start, my personalised design consultation service covers furniture layouts, cohesive schemes and where to source quality furniture to suit your style.