To make sure that we're on the right track in searching for furnishings to create our dream bedroom, here are some basic tips and advices:
- Decide what best expresses your personal style. Contemporary or traditional, European or American, big or small. Buy what you like and feel good.
- Determine your budget. Go out for shopping with a number in mind less than what you can really afford. At the end, generally we push our limits anyway.
- Measure your space to see what pieces you can accommodate. It is a tendency to buy big pieces or many items forgetting the space we have. It is not a good idea to fill your room with furniture so much that at the end you end up trying to find the space to walk around them. Generally the set prices are cheaper than the sum of individual prices. If there is a promotion for the full set and you have space for them, go for it.
- A well-equipped bedroom generally consists of a bed, a nightstand or two, a dresser and/or chest and a mirror. Many of today's bedrooms feature an armoire, too. Don't buy anything you don't need.
- The bed is generally the focal point of the bedroom so we'll probably want to select it first. There are many choices for type (platform bed, high bed etc) and size (Eastern King, California King, Queen and Full size are the most known ones). While Queen size (60x80) is big enough for most couples there are bigger alternatives available. Eastern King (76x80) gives widest sleeping space. If you are a really tall person, California king (72x84) might be good choice for you since it has the longest bed of them all. Full size (54x75) is a good size for two small couples or a large single.
- When shopping for pieces that aren't upholstered, such as dressers, chests and tables (known as "case good" in the furniture language), find out what they are made of - is it hardwood or softwood? (Quality pieces are available in both hard and soft woods). Is it wood veneer or laminated? There are many choices out there. Some wood materials are very rare and/or difficult to process. The more workmanship and process involved, the more the quality of the item increases.. It naturally shifts the price tag of the furniture. Is it important for you to have a piece from a rare wood which costs 5 times more than a regular good quality item made from a common wood? Decision is yours.
- With any wood pieces, an examination of the construction will reveal a lot about the quality. Lift a corner. Does it feel heavy and sturdy? Check out the corners. Do they feel strong and secure? Good quality items tend to be heavier and sturdy.
- Open and shut the drawers. Do they open and close easily? Do they fit perfectly? We want to make sure they don't sag. The drawer must feel strong and sturdy. If they are shaking easily, they cannot hold too much stuff in them.
- Examine the finish of the piece. The finish should be smooth, without cracks or bubbles. Try to get something water resistant. If you spill something on the night stand unknowingly, in the morning you may get a bad surprise seeing that the wood absorbed the water and there is a nasty bump on the night stand.
- Check the hardware e.g. handles and pulls - they should be secure and strong with no rough or sharp edges. You don't want your drawer handle to fall off after a year.
- And after you've made your major furniture selections, remember to add accessories, such as lamps, photo frames, rugs and wall décor.
- Most importantly, enjoy yourself. What good can your furniture do if you are not enjoying them.
Eddie Jacobian is a well known young designer living in Los Angeles. He works as a consultant and designer for many European and American companies including Demka Furnishing and LaContempo, biggest European sofa bed distributor in USA.
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Word Count Appx. : 682 | Article Views 659 Published 15-12-2008