Choosing Furniture With Intention

Our homes are so much more than the materials that fill them. When you intentionally choose your furnishings, your mindset and wellbeing can shift

It’s no surprise that I believe energy affects the home. It’s the backbone that Holistic Havens is built on. The furnishings, space planning, artwork, plants, lighting, and so much more of what’s inside your home can dramatically shift the energy of it. In turn, causing you to feel physical, mental, and even spiritual benefits…. Or the opposite. 

In this blog we’ll identify the top five things to think about when choosing furniture for your home.

1. Understand your Why

Before hunting for the perfect sofa, bed, art piece, decor, etc. it’s important to understand your why. What is the purpose for your purchase? Are you trying to fill a new space or are you trying to fill a void? Is it time to upgrade from the hand-me-downs or thrifted college finds? Understanding your why can help you get clear on your intentions.

For example, let’s say you have the dining table that your parents donated as a hand-me-down for your first home. It did the trick for a long time, but it’s dated, no longer your style. That’s a great “why” – of course – but let’s dive deeper. 

What if for your new table instead of buying the trendy table on Instagram, you actually consider what will be timeless? What will support you as you move through the next phases of your life, like starting a family and having young children? It’s truly okay to journal on it and get clear about what you really want… Now, perhaps you just want something to get you through a few years, and then you’ll be interested in investing in a piece that will serve your family for many holidays to come. That’s fine too. 

The point is that the more clear you are about your Why the easier it will be for you to find the dining table that suits you, and the less regrets you’ll have in a year when you realize you made an impulse buy!

2. Research the Materials

Materials are everything. Let’s keep the dining table reference going here… If you purchase a table from a big box, “fast fashion” type of store, you’re likely going to be buying a material that will not last. Many of these stores source and cover cheap materials in an “expensive looking” material like mdf. MDF is not a dining table friendly material – it will warp, absorb moisture, crack, chip, and scratch. Just don’t do it. It’s also commonly coated or made with carcinogenic materials like urea-formaldehyde, a volatile organic compound. Sadly, once you start digging, you’ll discover that a lot of the options are just that, and that finding a solid wood dining table is harder than you think. Or just damn expensive.

What I can offer is that you look for the following certifications or references when purchasing. And, of course, supporting local businesses or ones with made-to-order products will always fare well. When you do so, you’re also reducing the carbon footprint it takes to make and ship your furnishings. 

CERTIFICATIONS:

• Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
• Cradle to Cradle (C2C) Certified
• Greenguard
• The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
• Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
• OEKO-TEX Standard 100
• Bluesign

MATERIALS: 

• Organic Cotton, Wool, or Linen
• FSC Wood
• Reclaimed Wood
• Bamboo
• Cork
• Natural Fibers like Rattan
• Recycled Plastic
• Recycled Metal

3. Be Diligent About Colors

Okay, I know this may seem a little out there, but color can actually have a dramatic effect on your mood. Have you ever painted your walls white and wondered why they look yellow instead? Undertones are everywhere, and there are certain players that can send a white looking paint into the beige zone real quick. (Hint, it has to do with your flooring or other hard finishes nearby.) 

When it comes to furnishings, it is important to consider everything else in the space, the overall feeling you’re wanting to achieve, and the timelessness of the piece. Added bonus – think about cohesiveness from room to room to avoid a hodge-podge design. 

Typically when I work with clients, we’ll identify an overall mood board outlining the primary neutrals and accent colors that we want to use. Remember that different colors evoke different feelings and certain “trendy” colors won’t always be that way. Save the trendy colors for your accent decor so it’s easy to change, and stick with your primary neutrals and favorites for the large investment pieces.  

4. Measure, Measure, Measure

It seems simple, but this is one of the biggest mistakes I see people make when they select their furniture. 

Big room? Don’t be afraid to buy big furniture! The alternative is a space that still feels empty even though you spent the money on a sofa, chairs, coffee table, rug, and more! Not to mention that small furniture in a big space always ends up looking like it belongs in a dollhouse.

Think about the room’s vertical space too. Low ceilings? It will actually help to use vertical art, tall trees, or anything that is going to draw the eye up. One of my favorite hacks for a low ceiling is to bring the curtains all the way up to the ceiling, even if the window isn’t that large.
One more tip for measuring furniture? Use blue painters tape to layout the space before you buy. Gather the dimensions and literally tape them out on the floor for furnishings, or on the wall for art. This will help you realize real quick what works and what does not.

5. Be Patient

Lastly, don’t feel rushed! Purchasing everything quickly just to “get it done” is the quickest way to regret your findings. Wait for that all over gut feeling or “omg I love this” response to the piece. 

Are you a careful planner and struggling to be confident in your decision? Go back through the checklist above and if you answer yes to all of the prompts, then move forward. 

An intentional home really is just that… one that was carefully thought through with patience, excitement, and the foresight to know what will last you through the seasons of life. It’s also one that considers the colors and materials being used – because color affects emotion, and harmful chemicals affect your health. 

We’ve taken a lot of the guesswork out of sourcing high-quality, unique items that serve a purpose in your home. Our shop is full of the most beautiful furnishings and curated collections that have been put together by our team of experts. If you’re feeling inspired and ready to hit the ground running, take a peek at The Shop!

On the contrary, if you’re having trouble and would like help choosing your furnishings, we’re here for you! Check out our offerings from Design Consultations to Full Service Design or Schedule a Discovery Call with us!

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