Are you in the market for new furniture, but feeling overwhelmed by the endless options and styles?
Choosing furniture can be a daunting task, especially when you want to create a cohesive and stylish space that will stand the test of time.
However, fear not, because I've got some tips to help you choose anchor pieces that will transcend different furniture styles and create a beautiful and functional living space, no matter the size or shape of your room.
What are “Anchor Pieces of Furniture?”
Anchor pieces are the key items in a room that provide a foundation for the rest of the furniture and decor.
Amira Aboalnaga
These pieces are usually larger, more substantial, and often serve a functional purpose.
Depending on your room, examples include a sofa, dining table, bed, or even a statement armchair.
These pieces typically have a timeless design that can work well with different styles and are often made with high-quality materials that can withstand wear and tear.
That means, choosing the right furniture to anchor your room can help you create a cohesive and functional space that lasts.
I don’t know about you, but I’d rather hold onto my money than have to buy new furniture when the trend tide changes or because the quality was subpar.
When selecting anchor pieces, it's important to consider the size and scale of your room. Functionality follows form in this case, meaning the furniture you’ll choose must fit the parameters of your room.
You'll choose pieces that are proportional to the space, and that can serve multiple purposes, especially if you've got a small or awkwardly shaped room.
RODNAE Productions
And you'll want to look for pieces that have a timeless and versatile design, which can help them blend seamlessly with different styles of decor over time.
• Choose neutral colors and textures for your anchor pieces. Neutral pieces can create a calming and cohesive backdrop for your other pieces of furniture, while also helping to make the room feel larger and more open.
• Choose classic shapes and designs to provide a sense of continuity and harmony. These pieces usually help to bridge the gap between different styles of furniture.
So, you’ll avoid the trendy “hot” looks of the moment in favor of more classic styles.
If you’re not sure how this can actually work for your particular room, I have this post that will show you how to embrace trends that you really like while still keeping a “timeless” look to your home.
Read First
A timeless looking home isn’t hard to achieve when you understand these 5 core things that are true for every design style no matter what. You can apply this advice to small or big rooms. When you cross check your decorating decisions with each of these 5 criteria, you’ll save money, time and avoid unnecessary and discouraging disappointments.
Go for Quality & Multi-functional Furniture.
• Invest in quality furniture pieces that are made with high-grade materials and craftsmanship.
Designecologist
Quality furniture is often made from materials like solid wood, high-grade leather, or high-quality fabrics. These materials are more durable and long-lasting than lower-quality materials, and they often look and feel better. Usually, these pieces are constructed with more attention to detail and craftsmanship, which can result in a better-finished product.
One of the biggest benefits of investing in quality furniture is that it can save you money in the long run. While high-quality pieces may cost more upfront, they often last much longer than lower-quality pieces, which may need to be replaced more frequently. Over time, investing in quality furniture can save you money, as you won't need to replace it as often.
Michael Oxendine
In addition to being more durable, high-quality furniture often has a more timeless and versatile design, which can make it easier to pair with different styles of decor. A classic leather sofa or a well-crafted wooden dining table can work well in a variety of different design styles, making them a smart investment that will last for many years.
Tip: No matter what, it's important to consider the reputation of the manufacturer or brand. Look for brands that are known for their quality and craftsmanship and consider purchasing from a retailer that has a good reputation for customer service and after-sales support.
So, High-quality pieces are made with better materials, construction, and design, making them more durable, beautiful, and comfortable than lower-quality pieces. And they can save you money in the long run, as they last longer and often have a more timeless and versatile design. When chosen carefully, high-quality furniture can be a beautiful and functional addition to your home that will be enjoyed for many years to come.
• Multifunctional pieces can be a great way to make the most of your space and create a more organized and functional living space.
One benefit of choosing multifunctional pieces is that they can help to declutter your home by providing extra storage space or by serving more than one purpose. This can create a more organized and functional living space, which can make your home feel more comfortable and welcoming.
For example, a sofa bed can be used as a comfortable place to sit during the day and can be transformed into a cozy bed at night. And a storage ottoman can serve as a footrest, a coffee table, and a place to store extra blankets or pillows.
Pottery Barn
Pieces like sofa beds, storage ottomans, and expandable dining tables, simple console tables and nesting tables can serve more than one purpose, which can make them practical and efficient for smaller or awkwardly shaped rooms.
• When choosing multifunctional pieces, it's important to look for pieces that are high-quality and well-designed.
A poorly designed piece may not function as well as it should or may not look as good as a traditional piece of furniture. So, consider how the piece will fit into your existing decor and how it will be used. If it doesn’t add function or purpose to your room then skip it.
• Overall, multifunctional pieces are a smart choice.
They’re designed to serve more than one purpose, making them practical and efficient for smaller or awkwardly shaped rooms. By nature, they provide more utility than traditional pieces, making them a smart investment for your home. A carefully chosen and well-designed, multifunctional piece can help you create a beautiful and functional living space.
Let’s Talk Size and Scale of Anchor Furniture
It's important to take a few factors into account.
Rachel Claire
First, consider the size of the room and how the piece will fit in the space. These kind of papasan chairs are comfortable, but they overpower smaller rooms.
In small rooms, it's best to choose pieces that are proportional to the room's size, so they don’t make the space feel cramped.
Larger rooms can handle bigger pieces, but it's still important to ensure that the piece is not too large and overpowering.
• Now, that doesn’t mean that you should choose small furniture for small rooms as the default move.
Andrea Davis
On the contrary, sometimes small furniture in small rooms spotlights exactly what you want to avoid drawing attention to, the smallness of the room. Instead choose pieces that, first fit the room size and shape, and don’t be afraid to go bigger if it fits because you’ll find these pieces will feel more comfortable and be more functional.
Anchor pieces should complement other furniture pieces in the room and not be too small or too large in comparison. For example, a small coffee table may look out of place next to a large sectional sofa. Similarly, a huge dining table may look overwhelming in a small dining room.
You should also consider the height of the piece in relation to other items in the room. For example, a tall bookshelf may look out of place next to a short sofa or accent chair. Consider the visual balance of the room and how the anchor piece fits into that balance.
Think About the Shape of the Room
If the room is narrow, a long, narrow console table may be a good option to provide additional storage without taking up too much floor space.
Mikhail Nilov
In a room with low ceilings, a low-profile sofa or accent chair can help make the space feel more open and less cramped.
Overall, it's important to think about the space as a whole and ensure that the piece fits in proportionally with other pieces in the room. By choosing the right size and scale for an anchor piece, you can create a cohesive and visually balanced space that looks great no matter what style of decor you choose.
Let’s Talk More About Neutral Colors and Textures
• Choosing neutral colors and textures ensures that the piece will look great in any space.
Rachel Claire
Neutral colors are timeless and versatile, making them easier to incorporate into a variety of design styles. Neutral doesn’t have to mean “blah.” Textured fabrics add interest and depth without being too overwhelming or distracting.
• Go for shades of white, beige, gray, and black.
These colors work well with a variety of decor styles, including modern, traditional, and eclectic. They provide a clean, fresh look that can be accessorized with different accent colors and patterns to create a unique style.
For example, a neutral-colored sofa can be paired with brightly colored throw pillows or a patterned area rug to create a bold, modern look, or it can be paired with soft, muted tones for a more traditional, elegant look.
When it comes to textures, it's best to choose fabrics that add depth and interest to the piece without being too overpowering.
Fabrics like linen, tweed, or boucle can add a subtle texture to the piece, making it more interesting to look at and touch. Additionally, choosing fabrics with a subtle pattern, such as a herringbone or basket weave, can add even more interest without being too distracting.
• You should also consider the texture of the piece itself.
For example, a wooden coffee table with a distressed finish can add a rustic, farmhouse feel to a space, while a smooth, glossy finish can create a modern, sleek look.
Ryan Horn : Distressed Finish
Alex Falconer: Glossy Finish
Overall, choosing anchor furniture pieces in neutral colors and textures is a great way to ensure that the piece will work well in any design style. Neutral colors provide a timeless look, while the textures add depth and interest to the piece. When accessorized with different accent colors and patterns, the piece can take on a unique style while still being versatile and adaptable.
Choose Classic Shapes and Designs
Classic designs are timeless and versatile, meaning they can be paired with a variety of decor styles and won't go out of fashion quickly. And classic shapes are often simpler and more understated, making them a good choice for smaller or awkwardly shaped rooms.
Subham Majumder
Classic shapes and designs can include pieces like a transitional track arm sofa or a simple, rectangular dining table. I often use the word “unfussy” to describe these pieces and that pretty much sums them up. These pieces are often designed with clean lines and minimal embellishments, making them easy to pair with different styles of decor.
• For example, a traditional sofa with a classic shape can work equally well in a modern, minimalist living room or a more traditional, cozy space.
• When choosing classic shapes and designs, it's also worth considering the materials the piece is made of.
Materials like wood, leather, and stone are classic choices that have been used in furniture design for centuries. These materials are durable, high-quality, and look great in a variety of decor styles.
One benefit of choosing classic shapes and designs is that they often have a more universal appeal, making them easier to sell or pass down to future generations.
• Classic pieces are less likely to go out of style quickly, which means they can be enjoyed for many years to come.
So, choosing anchor pieces in classic shapes and designs is a great way to ensure that your furniture will work well in any design style. Classic pieces are timeless and versatile, making them easy to pair with a variety of decor styles. They’re often simpler and more understated, which make them a good choice for smaller or awkwardly shaped rooms. When paired with high-quality materials, classic shapes and designs can create a lasting, beautiful piece of furniture that will be enjoyed for years to come.
To sum up, choosing anchor furniture pieces that will transcend different furniture styles and fit into small or awkward shaped rooms is all about considering their size and scale, opting for neutral colors and textures, choosing classic shapes and designs, looking for multifunctional pieces, and investing in quality. With these tips, you'll be able to find the perfect anchor pieces that will make any space feel cozy, stylish, and functional.
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“Michael Helwig was top-notch, very professional and responsive to my needs. He allowed me time to explore ideas and try out a variety of combinations until we found the perfect fit. Michael provided detailed information and offered beautiful ideas to make my dream living room become a reality. The furniture he sourced has totally transformed my living room space. Everyone that has seen my new living room has one word, WOW! A special thank you to Michael for a wonderful experience.”
“Michael was very knowledgeable and guided us, with great patience and good humor, through the process of designing our dining room and helping us find the perfect sleeper sofa. He offered really helpful advice when we asked questions - which was often - but at no time did we ever feel pushed. He helped me when I felt like I couldn’t make one more decision. When my new furniture finally arrived I realized everything down to the pillows was perfect. I couldn’t be happier!”
Tiana
Michael is Principal designer and blogger at Michael Helwig Interiors in beautiful Buffalo, New York. Since 2011, he’s a space planning expert, offering online interior e-design services for folks living in small homes, or for those with awkward and tricky layouts. He’s a frequent expert contributor to many National media publications and news outlets on topics related to decorating, interior design, diy projects, and more. Michael happily shares his experience to help folks avoid expensive mistakes and decorating disappointments. You can follow him on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook @interiorsmh.
