Whether it’s your first house or you’ve been there 50 years, your home is your castle, and your goal should be to fill it with furniture fit for a queen. The experts always recommend that you buy one quality item at a time, to last a long time, instead of a roomful at Ikea. We talked to a few experts around town to figure out which items every woman should have in her home, and here are their suggestions.
1) Even before the grown up sofa, a set of comfy accent chairs like these Cline chairs from Acquisitions. You want chairs that are both functional and eye-catching — think of a Birkin bag for your living room — and these two are neutral enough in color and size to fit in almost any space.
For another twist, try a pair of reclined chairs for a sophisticated take on a seat for the “man of the house.” Interior designer Christina Spencer at Front Door Fabrics and Interiors says these tufted leather Wesley Hall pieces look sleek, savvy and sophisticated but are oh-so-comfortable. No man in your life right now? No worries — Christina says they make the perfect reading or movie-watching spot for girls night in because their unique shape perfectly cradles your body (who needs a man anyway?).
If you don’t have room for two chairs, pick just one and make it a stunner like this Wesley Hall Scout chair from Front Door Fabrics. Christina tells us this unique take on the wing-back chair would go perfectly in a corner next to a side table and reading lamp — the perfect spot for long phone chats, a good book or just a quiet moment alone.
2) A sofa to last 30 years like this Providence sofa from Acquisitions. Since it’ll be the largest item in your living room, keep your sofa to a neutral tone like tan or taupe and then have fun with throw pillows you can change with the season.
Christina at Front Door Fabrics says a neutral sofa with classic lines like this white Wesley Hall Kingsley version will feel timeless yet current and will move seamlessly from entertaining to lounging to every other day-to-day activity. It’s worth it to splurge on a quality piece (Christina says sorry — no more Ikea!) because it will be recovered and passed down to the next generation rather than being replaced.
If you have the extra space or want a different look, a classic love seat can add charm to your living area or bedroom, and its smaller size means you can get a bit more adventurous with fabrics without overwhelming the room. Christina says Front Door Fabrics has tons of options for durable, stain-resistant upholstery-weight fabrics that will stand the test of time.
3) A statement-making ottoman like this Wesley Hall Prism version from Front Door Fabrics. Christina says versatility is the key: an ottoman can serve as a foot rest, extra seating or even a table (put a tray on top) for entertaining. For more ottomans to buy here in Charlotte, see our post HERE.
4) A fun and functional mini cocktail table like this gold and marble version from Abode is perfect for pulling up next to your favorite chair for a glass of wine. Small accent pieces like this can easily travel with you from apartment to house to next house, or room to room throughout your house as your decor and needs change.
5) A beautiful desk like this lacquered silver and shagreen version from Abode will make your personal workspace elegant. Again, the idea is to buy high quality pieces that can serve several functions over time.
9) A glam armoire, like this mirrored painted one from Acquisitions, can also add much-needed storage space. Consider this for a bedroom or guest bedroom if the closet isn’t as big as you’d like it to be.
What other items should a grown woman have in her home? Are there any other unique uses for the ones we’ve mentioned? Tell us your ideas in the comments below!
