Choosing really practical home furnishing

CEBU, Philippines - It's almost like rocket science to get practical furniture and furnishings for the home, whether it's a small or large home. Oftentimes, homeowners end up bringing in pieces that eat up space or are seldom used. Still at other times, the furniture or furnishing is just to expensive to be put to actual use.

Interior Decorating Expert Coral Nafie of  www.interiordec.about.com offer sensible advice on choosing furniture and accessory pieces that can work well in small or large rooms, offer storage, and can be moved around the house when necessary:

1.Unless you have a large home, select furniture and accessories on a small scale. They'll fit into most spaces as you move them around in your home. This will also make them easier to move.

2.Storage is in short supply in most homes. Select furniture pieces that offer drawers or hanging space, such as a chest of drawers or an armoire. These can be used in a bedroom, foyer, living room, mudroom, and more.

3.When furnishing a living room or family room, choose two loveseats rather than one huge sofa. These are easier to move and can be used forming a corner seating area, opposite each other to create a conversation spot, or use them separately in different rooms of your home.

4.Select a pleasing natural or neutral color such as tan, camel, navy, dark green, or black, for upholstered furniture pieces. The color is your 'anchor' color. Make sure the fabric is durable so it holds up under years of use.

5.Gather together a collection of pillows, fabrics, and accessories that harmonize with your anchor color. You'll be able to change the look with the seasons, giving your furniture a new, fresh look throughout the year. On a green loveseat, for example, you might choose yellow floral pillows for summer and camel tapestry pillows at another time.

6.  Use slipcovers to change the look of sofas and chairs without making a big investment.

7.Be creative with tables. Choose interesting bases and use plate glass for the top. Or make your own side tables (round or rectangular) of plywood, then cover with an undercloth of felt (for softness) and a decorative tablecloth of coordinating fabric. Use these in a living room or as nightstands by a bed.

8.Buy lamps, vases, side chairs, and pillows in pairs. These add symmetry and continuity to a room. As you move, they also offer the option of using each piece in a separate room if necessary.

9.Choose a color scheme and stick to it. Start with white or your anchor color and select fabrics and accessories to compliment the color scheme. If you carry the colors throughout your home, you'll be able to move furniture and accessories from room to room. They'll look great wherever you place them.

10.Again about storage: If you're short on built-in storage like closets, try to select furnishings that have storage in them, such as a coffee table with drawers or a cabinet at the entry instead of an open table. You'll be amazed what a difference just one drawer or shelf makes.

11.When you're arranging furniture, try to think 'outside the box'. Use furniture or accessories in unexpected ways, such as a loveseat at the end of a bed, a TV hidden away under a tablecloth, or a big dresser that holds video tapes.

12.Don't be afraid to experiment! Find what works best for you in your present situation. If you've selected items with versatility in mind, you'll end up with an arrangement that's just right!

It takes imagination and effort, of course, to attain a living space that's both comfortable and highly functional. But it's all worth it. Well-planned furnishings give the home a sense of good order and allow the home occupants convenience and freedom of movement.