Moving into a new home – or looking to update your existing space – is undeniably fun. What’s not so enjoyable is working out just how much of your furniture is outdated and needs to be replaced, and which pieces can be kept and made to feel new again.
Fear not, though. Below I’m going to show you that with a few small tweaks, some of your existing rooms won’t need every bit of furniture replaced. Because some pieces really can last a lifetime.
Your dining setting
If you’ve had your dining table for years and years, chances are you probably invested a bit of money in it. With this in mind, there’s no need to ditch this piece and replace it with something new.
The easiest way to transform your dining room is to replace your dining chairs.
Chairs around a dining table are actually more visually impactful than the table itself, so get hunting for some new chairs in a cosy upholstered fabric. Look to neutral tones such as soft grey; it’s easy on the eye and won’t date quickly. If you choose right now, your chairs will last for decades.
Inside tip: Ask staff members in-store about the ease of which the chair fabric can be cleaned. You might have grandkids around often and you want to ensure your gorgeously upholstered chairs can withstand cute (but grubby) fingers.
'Monti' dining table with Dima chair in grey, all by Oz Design
Your bedroom suite
Feeling like your bedroom is a bit ho-hum? You don’t need to replace the most expensive piece (the bed itself). You just need to find some new bedside tables and fresh new bedding.
Think about it; once the bedding is on the bed and all of the pillows are arranged nicely, you don’t actually see a great deal of the bed frame, so there’s no point replacing it unless it’s damaged. Layer up some fresh bedding and transform this zone into a relaxing oasis.
When it comes to new bedsides, current trends dictate that they don’t have to match the bed perfectly. Go for some round bedsides in a different finish to the bed (such as marble or a distressed timber top), adorn it with a stylish new lamp and your bedroom is brand new again.
Inside tip: More is more when it comes to cushions and pillows on the bed. Two Euros, four standard pillows, and two statement cushions at a minimum. Also have fun playing with coverlets and throws across the width of the bed.
Your living room
If your budget is telling you that you can only replace a few pieces in your living room, go for the one that takes up the most visual real estate: the sofa.
Your coffee and side tables, along with the entertainment unit, can be easily dressed with new bowls, vases, flowers and other decorative items to give them a new lease on life. Your poor sofa, on the other hand, is probably showing its years the most.
A new sofa will dramatically impact the look and feel of your living room, and my advice (like with your dining chairs) is to look for neutral tones and also shop with comfort in mind.
Road test every sofa in-store and ensure it’s a piece you’ll want to curl up in for a good decade. It’s worth investing some money into a quality sofa, so you don’t have to replace it again in a few years. Steer clear of budget stores selling sofas for a few hundred dollars. They generally don’t last long!
Inside tip: Your sofa and armchairs don’t need to match or come from the same suite. Instead, look at the colour of the sofa and find an armchair in a complementary shade. Then, use cushions in that shade on your sofa to tie the two furniture pieces together.
Have you updated your interiors? Share your story below.
Photography: (feature) Adairs; (in-text) OZ Design Furniture
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