Friday, June 12, 2015

5 Pieces of Furniture Every First Time Home Buyer Needs

Buying your first home involves a lot of trial and error. From knowing what to look for in a home to what you need to put in it, there can be a lot of costly mistakes. Here are 5 pieces of furniture to think about when decorating and what you need to look for so you don't regret it later. 

1. A Bed to Last a Lifetime
First off, this title is a little misleading. A bed should never last someone a lifetime.  And not just because they wear out. As we age, our bodies change and our mattress needs change with it. One day we need soft and little bit of support and down the road we may need something firm with all of the support in the world. You should still buy a nice bed. We spend up to 1/3 of our life sleeping. For first time home buyers, a good bed will make you feel great but it will also hold up well so it can turn into a guest bed when you upgrade. Adjustable air beds from Comfortaire can grow with you though. With adjustable firmness and the ability to open the bed up to switch out foams that have aged, it can be a great investment. Think of it like a car, when something goes wrong you replace the part not the whole car. 
The Ultimate Series from Comfortaire features option split top for adjustable bases and can be opened to clean and replace parts.
Memory Foams, Latex and innerspring beds are also worth investigating at Chuck's Furniture. 

2. A Quality Table
For many people starting out, a dining table doubles as a desk, a kids craft table and more. There are two routes a person can take. The first is to just look at price and buy something to get you through a couple years. Some great tables from Standard and Liberty are available at Pac 5 Furniture.

If you can afford it, or take advantage of interest free financing, a better option is to buy quality that will last. Furniture from the Amish or Gat Creek feature solid wood with extra durable finishes. These hold up extremely well against spills and stains and solid wood can be repaired and refinished. It's a great choice if children are or will be around it. You also want to consider a leaf table. You may not need the seating now but odds are you will down the road. A leaf gives you space with the option of seating when you need it. 
Catalyzed finishes can repel some pretty tough stains. Even fingernail polish removal can be wiped up without harm if caught within a few minutes. 

3. A Comfortable Sofa That Will Last. 
A good sofa does not have to be expensive. Serta upholstery by Hughes is a great value. It features solid oak framing for longevity and nearly all of the seat cushions feature flippable casings. With the exception of leather, always look for this. Not only can you flip the cushions if you ever get an unsightly stain but the fabric and cushions last so much longer with regular rotation. 

4. Chest of Drawers
There isn't much to say about this. A chest gives you storage without taking up a lot of floor space. Just like with the dining table, solid wood is a good option that will last for years. The parts that have the most issues are drawers so look for English dovetails and good drawer glides. Metal, ball bearing side glides and undermount soft closing are rated for the most use and will last as long as the wood.
English dovetails have the benefit of being the strongest joint for drawers and aesthetically pleasing. 

5. Ottoman or Foot Stool
Ottomans are very versatile. They can be used to prop your feet up, put a tray on to set drinks, or extra seating in a pinch. Because they tend to get a lot of use select the fabric carefully. Extended fabric warranties can be lifesavers. Ultrashield offers a 10 year warranty that covers most household accidents and many people have been saved when an errant spill ruined their furniture. 
The Carson Ottoman from Norwalk even features a pull out tray for eating or using a laptop or tablet. 

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