Investing in Furniture Now Will Leave You Sitting Pretty Later

Thursday, 02 June 2011 | by Pat's Picks

Anyone who’s ever been to Ikea knows how easy it is to get carried away shopping for furniture. But the Washington Post advises you resist your urge to splurge. Spending time and investing in quality pieces will turn out to be a good investment. The Post recommends ten classic pieces to get you started and suggests you ask yourself these questions before buying: “Do I love it? Will I still love it five years from now? Is it well-constructed? Is it too trendy? Is it versatile?”

For sofas, design experts suggest something in a durable, neutral fabric: “You’ll be happy with the choice down the road as your tastes and color preferences change.”; When shopping for lamps, try a vintage store: “They won’t always come cheap, but you are much more likely to find a vintage lamp that’s very well made, unique and beautiful for little more than the price of regular store-bought ones.”; And in terms of art, forget the framed-poster-era of your life: “Works by students and other undiscovered artists are original and affordable. Buy several smaller pieces to hang together, or save for one or two large statement pieces.”