Finding the right home goods and furniture pieces for your home has always been important — after all, you want your household to be a place where you can comfortably spend a lot of time. However, the COVID-19 pandemic had emphasized the need for a well-designed home even more.  

After spending countless hours in our houses, most of us have started considering how we might improve the look and feel of our household. And yep, it’s tempting to grab the next piece of home decor or furniture you see while flipping through your favorite lifestyle magazine. However, adding some character to your home isn’t as simple as it may seem — balancing form and function while also getting a good price can be a tough job.  

Still, having the right things can make all the difference between a comfortable, absolutely charming abode and a cramped eyesore of a home. With that in mind, carefully considering all the features of individual furniture and home decor pieces is essential — and we’re going to help you do just that with our handy buying guide!  

Important home goods and furniture features 

• Functionality
• Size 
• Materials 
• Style   

Functionality 

The first thing you need to consider while picking out furniture pieces and home goods, in general, is their functionality — when you’re deciding what stays and what goes, it’s the primary thing you’re thinking about. In every instance, ask yourself whether you truly need something to complete the different activities you do in a specific room on a daily basis. Sure, you need a compact night table and a comfy bed in your bedroom — but is having an armchair there adding to your decor, or just taking up space? Would it fit better elsewhere, and could you use that space for something that actually adds storage instead of taking up room?  

On the other hand, a high-quality office chair is a must if you’re going to equip one of your rooms as a home office — if it’s not durable, ergonomic, and comfortable, you just won’t be able to work effectively while you’re at home; another example of the importance of functionality in every household item.  

Size 

After you’ve thought about the functional practicalities of your home goods, their shape and size must also come into play. In fact, the size and shape of every item you consider buying is their most important practical aspect along with their function.  

For instance, when you’re choosing your bookshelves, you might need a wider display cabinet that’s not as tall if you’re dealing with a low ceiling. On the other hand, the size of your bedroom will heavily influence what metal bed frame you’ll be getting.  

And it’s not just about the spatial size either — in fact, the functionality and the size of every item play off each other. For example, if you’re getting a chest of drawers, how many of them do you need to fulfill your storage needs in each room? Or, if you’re buying a dining table — how many guests do you expect on average? This will influence its size.  

Naturally, the most obvious limitation you’ll be dealing with is the physical space of your room — before you buy and place any furniture, make sure you’ve created a detailed floor plan. That way, you won’t suddenly realize you can’t fit something when you’ve already bought it.  

Materials 

Furthermore, the materials from which your furniture pieces were made are also an important consideration. These manufacturing materials will help you determine the durability and longevity of all kinds of home goods — and decide whether they fit into your overall decorative style.  

The best furniture is made from materials that are perfect for its intended use. For instance, a bathroom mirror cabinet should, ideally, be made from a material that’s resistant to water damage and corrosion — something that can easily happen in a bathroom if materials aren’t suitable for higher humidity. Considering that, stainless, corrosion-resistant steel is a perfect choice for a contemporary-style home.  

There are plenty of other examples — for example, while a PU leather chair whose cover is made out of artificial leather may seem like a less luxurious choice, its surface is actually far easier to clean than genuine leather. Plus, it’s more animal-friendly. 

Of course, this brings us to another important aspect of home goods’ materials: their aesthetics. Wood brings warmth, and lacquer brings an air of modernity into any interior. These, and other materials, must be carefully combined and integrated with existing pieces, fabrics, and floors. At least, if you want to create a unified look for the entire room.  

Style 

At the end of the day, the theme and overall look of your house is an important consideration to make when picking every individual furniture piece for every room. Remember, the style of your interior is a reflection and representation of your personal taste — but you should definitely try to make the design of each room come together into a coherent whole.  

For instance, while a country-style acacia wood shoe storage in your hallway might blend well with a cream-white suede chair in your living room, a stark black massage recliner might fit better with a different home interior style. And it’s okay to try to blend various styles in rooms — as long as they don’t clash and make the entire house seem tacky. Even a modern home can contain antique pieces — but only if you do it right.  

And don’t feel trapped by current trends; try to find a common theme and style you like, and stick with it while buying individual pieces.