Investment Pieces: Things to Consider When Purchasing Furniture
We are asked frequently on Instagram what to consider when investing in a pricey sofa or coffee table – and now that we have an editorial platform to answer these types of questions, we figured we should tackle one of our most frequent inquiries!
The main thing to consider when purchasing an investment piece of furniture, be it a sofa, coffee table, or bed, for example, is: how will the item be used? End use is a key factor that will determine the piece’s lifespan and will guide you on materials.
Is a sofa, for example, going to be placed in a high traffic room with kids, pets, and lots of activity? Then you’ll most certainly need a contract grade or performance fabric. Similarly, if a coffee table is the item you’re investing in, consider whether young children will be around it and if so, are sharp corners an issue; if you want to entertain on the table by setting out hors d'oeuvres, etc., an upholstered top might not be the best choice. These simple end use questions can help guide you in determining an aesthetic and material off the bat and narrow your choices to make decisions easier.
From there, consider silhouettes and styles that are timeless: an English roll arm sofa, a grasscloth coffee table, an upholstered bed in a simple cream linen or a mahogany credenza – these pieces will never go out of style, and when made well, can be handed down generation to generation.
Below, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite investment pieces in every category that we use with clients to help you get started.
From left to right, row 1:
Sofa: English Roll Arm Sofa
Coffee Table: Fenimore Grasscloth Coffee Table (on this one, I am obviously biased!)
Bed: Cambridge Upholstered Bed
From left to right, row 2:
Dining Credenza: 19th Century Marquetry Inlay Commode
Nightstands: Caned Nightstands
Dining Chairs: Cerused Oak Velvet Upholstered Louis Side Chair