When moving into a brand-new home, having appropriate furniture for the new space’s scale, size, and style is essential. New furniture will make a new construction home look and feel finished and enhance usability.
What’s the best strategy when furnishing a new construction home? How can homeowners visualize their new homes and find the perfect pieces?
When should you buy furniture for a new house?
Supply chain issues notoriously snarled delivery times on new furniture and appliances throughout the pandemic. While supply and demand are more balanced now, getting organized and purchasing furniture pieces well before the closing date for a new build is a wise approach.
Is it better to furnish a new home at once or over time?
Ideally, a homeowner would begin to source inspiration and establish a budget early in the home construction phase and then order must-have furniture items around four months before closing. This allows for time to research, shop and even try out pieces, with an ample window for delivery.
While moving into a fully furnished new home is convenient, it isn’t always possible. Budget and availability of pieces can factor in. Homeowners may need more time to establish and become comfortable with their style as well.
There are benefits to adding to furniture collections gradually, both from a budgetary standpoint and because homeowners will be better acquainted with needs and wants after living in the new home for a while.
A gradual approach will let homeowners see if a specific color or pattern is truly appealing to them over time or if a particular fabric or textile stands up to the demands of daily use in the way they had anticipated before committing to many pieces.
If having all-new furniture at once isn’t possible or preferred for a homeowner, the advice is to attack one room at a time, to completion.
“We all love the idea of the entire home all coming together at once, but if the budget and timeline don’t correspond with that idea, start with the common spaces and/or the most important spaces for you. It’s so much better to complete at least a couple of key spaces to give a sense of home, create great function, and feel inspired by the surrounding aesthetic,” says Alicia DuBois Schopp, owner and principal interior designer of Design by Dubois.
A piecemeal furniture strategy will not only leave homeowners in limbo in a home that feels unfinished but can lower the impact of the existing pieces.
“Having random new furnishings around the house won’t let the newly chosen furniture shine like it would in a completely designed space,” says DuBois Schopp.
Current furniture inventory
Before purchasing anything new, homeowners should take an inventory of furniture they already own. Focus on any pieces that are in good shape. Are they versatile? Is there a specific purpose in mind? Does the furniture reflect personal style, or help re-enforce the style of the new home, keeping in mind the color and finish selections made as the new house was being built?
If the new home is larger, will existing pieces mesh well with new additions? If downsizing, will the current furniture fit in the new house?
One of downsizers’ most significant mistakes is assuming that current furniture will work similarly in a smaller space. For example, even if a sofa has the appropriate dimensions to fit on a floor plan, if it has enormous, tufted cushions, it might appear too large and need more space visually.
If a furniture piece is in good shape but doesn’t fit the new home’s aesthetic, how easy and affordable is it to alter the piece to suit the unique style? Is it worth re-covering chairs or refinishing a dining set? Sometimes, if a piece of furniture is of high quality, it might be worth investing in a cosmetic upgrade rather than purchasing all new pieces.
Use the model home for inspiration
One of the biggest challenges with furnishing a new home is that it is likely under construction while the homeowner is planning furniture purchases. Unlike with an existing home, where a physical walkthrough can contextualize space, a homeowner must use floor plans, spec sheets, and photos to anticipate what a new home will look like.
Many builders offer virtual tours of homes that can inspire furniture and décor. Similarly, in-house designers or design partners will often have advice on what types and styles of furniture work best in various layouts in a given model.
Or even better, if a model home has been built, homeowners should use the model to get a hands-on sense of space and take note of the design cues the designer has created with furniture and décor choices.
The detailed approach by model home merchandisers is meant to conjure images of what life might look like in each home and to provide inspiration and support to homeowners hoping to achieve the same ideal.
“Model homes are fantastic for inspiring furniture selection in new builds as they show a design that is professionally created by an interior designer that took care in selecting each piece, fabric, décor, etc. for a home that will be comparable to the new build,’ says DuBois Schopp.
Designers are trained not only to source fashionable furniture but to design with practicality in mind in each space that will promote livability, with attention paid to size, scale, and continuity with the architecture.
Measuring for new furniture
Look at the new home’s floor plan, including detailed measurements and window and door placement. Include any built-in or structural items, like shelving, cabinetry, fireplaces, etc.
Look at rooms to anticipate the likely flow of traffic so that furniture choice and placement don’t obstruct that flow. Sketch out where furniture should be positioned.
Note what furniture you’ll need in each room and their maximum measurements. Cross-reference your existing furniture inventory against what you might need and begin shopping from there.
Consult housing specs for door measurements because the furniture must pass through them to get inside the house. Ensure that selected furniture will get through the doorways, that it can come in in pieces, or that you’ve got an alternative entry point.
Set a furniture budget
When it comes to furniture, in many cases, you get what you pay for. There is a wide range of price points, with several factors that will determine how much furniture costs:
- Is a piece custom, or are there custom features? Any customization will drive the price up.
- Fabric and textiles. Synthetic materials are generally less expensive but can be less durable. Stain-resistant materials are also necessary, particularly if pets or children are in the house.
- Does the furniture come assembled, or is assembly required? DIY assembly is cheaper. A side note, if furniture comes assembled, determine if legs or arms are removable to facilitate moving through doorways.
- With sofas and chairs, what is the frame material? Solid wood is more expensive. What are cushions made of? Foam is generally better than down but will come with a higher price tag.
Prioritize which rooms to furnish first
If a homeowner is taking a gradual approach to furnishing their home, they should prioritize rooms, starting with the most highly trafficked ones, like the main bedrooms, the dining room, and the family room/living areas. Consider furniture such as beds, dressers, sofas, end tables, dining sets, and kitchen stables.
One of the most sought-after spaces in a new home is dedicated home office space, as more and more homeowners work at least part-time at home. This is another room that must be planned out and furnished near the top of the priority list.
How to pick investment pieces
After rooms have been prioritized, begin selecting investment pieces.
Investment pieces are worth the splurge because of their role in the décor and in making a room more usable and comfortable. It’s worth paying extra for quality with these furniture choices, as they tend to be items from which a homeowner requires greater durability.
Investment pieces can serve as a jumping-off point for décor with accents, as they tend to be focal points. Consider what aesthetic is desired to drive the design and make sure that the investment pieces fit the criteria, and then build out with accents like rugs, artwork, and textiles that re-enforce the look.
Create a retreat in the primary bedroom
The general advice from designers is to focus on the primary bedroom first when it comes to elevating decor because this is the room where the homeowner rests and recharges, making the rest of the home, and the lifestyle that unfolds there, more enjoyable.
If there is one piece where investment is warranted, it is with a good mattress and box spring set. Restorative sleep is essential to mental and physical health. Consider sleeping style (side, front, back) when choosing a mattress. Several mattresses on the market offer organic materials that are better for keeping cool and beds with separate sides tailored to the sleep needs of individual partners so that both can have comfort that adapts to their needs. There are mattresses with smart tech that adjust to sleeping style in real-time.
In addition to a great mattress set, having a stylish headboard and new bedding is a way to make the primary bedroom a sweet sanctuary.
Be mindful of storage in the primary bedroom. Is there a walk-in closet? Is there enough room to store all clothing and items in the closet there? Are there other closets that can accommodate overflow? If not, ensure there are enough dressers to store often-used items.
Family room and living room furniture
Common spaces where the household gathers should also be top-of-list. Lifestyle, as well as personal style, should drive choices here.
For a family that watches movies regularly or gathers for game night, investing in a large and comfortable sofa is a must. A modular or sectional sofa works best so that it can be modified over time if needs change.
Before picking a sofa, consider how many people it will need to accommodate and ensure that any contenders are the correct size. Beyond the width, length, and the number of seats, think about depth (i.e., how much room it will occupy). Will family members stretch out (opt for a more extended sofa) or recline (think about reclining seat options)?
If the home is smaller, opt for smaller pieces (i.e., a love seat instead of a sofa) or check out living room collections specifically designed for smaller homes.
Dining room furniture
Is entertaining a high priority? Having a large and lovely dining set is a wise choice. However, dining sets can be bulky and may not be used at full size regularly, unnecessarily taking up room. Having a table that extends with a leaf or has built-in adaptive features can accommodate space for guests when needed but make it easier to move freely around the dining room when not in use.
When choosing the dining table size, leave a clearance of about three feet around the piece to move freely about the room. Consider clearance from the walls but also from other pieces that may come with the set or that you may want to add to over time (i.e., sideboard, wine cabinet). Dining chairs should be close enough to each other, too, with around two feet between each place setting.
Furnishing a home office
The home office is function-first, and furnishing it should focus on a desk that can accommodate workflow, with enough space for computer (s), monitor (s), and any other peripheral equipment that may need a different surface. Desks with storage can help to de-clutter a home office nicely as well.
A good chair is also essential. Ergonomics should drive this choice, but there are many styles to choose from, so homeowners needn’t necessarily compromise on the overall look.
Shelving or additional storage may be added over time if space allows.
The home office, much like the living room, is a space that benefits from accent décor to create comfort. Consider office-specific motivating artwork, wall calendars, floor lamps, or book sets to boost productivity and amplify style.
Tips for shopping for furniture online
Researching, viewing, and ultimately purchasing furniture online is becoming more common. However, while buying furniture online is convenient, the virtual environment can make visualization of pieces, and how they work in the rooms they are intended for more challenging.
There are steps to take to mitigate the risk of buyer’s remorse after purchasing online.
- Ideally, groundwork could be done online, followed by a visit to a showroom to provide spatial context and see how the furniture feels, for example, when seated on a sofa or stretched out on a mattress.
- If a physical visit isn’t possible, rely heavily on customer reviews to narrow down and support choices. It’s even better if the reviews include pictures of the furniture in real homes.
- As far as colors and fabrics go, order samples and swatches before making decisions. A color represented onscreen may look quite different in a home setting, where lighting is varied.
- Consult the company regarding the measurement method through the FAQ or chat with a sales rep over the phone. Accuracy is important.
- Does the furniture come assembled? If not, are all parts included?
- Look carefully at product photos, and be sure to read product descriptions thoroughly. Make sure they align.
- What is the delivery policy? Some companies include unboxing/uncrating and setup. Some companies deliver curbside and leave it to the homeowners to get the furniture inside and assembled. If basic delivery is the standard, some companies will offer more comprehensive delivery and assistance setting up for an additional fee. Also, are there additional freight fees for more oversized items?
- What is the return policy? Some discounted items might be final sale, so anticipate that before ordering. What is the return window? Is it necessary to keep packing materials? Is there a restocking fee?
