Living Room Furniture Buying Guide

Shopping for new living room furniture can be a big hassle if you don’t know what is available, the features you need, the colors available, and so on. Fortunately, the furniture experts at Gardner White have worked together to create this buying guide to help you cut through the confusion. For all the info that you could need, please read on:

Last Updated: October 18, 2023

Living Room Furniture Types

Fully furnishing a living room or family room can take you down many roads because there are so many different options. As such, you’ll need to know all the different pieces of furniture that are available in living room furniture. Here’s a list of the different types of living room furniture:

• Sectionals – A sectional can allow for added seating in your living room or family room. They also can help to eliminate the need for multiple pieces of furniture like a sofa and loveseat combination. Modular options also allow for flexibility in the orientation and basic format of the sectional to match your space as needed.
• TV Stands/Entertainment Centers – While the trend for televisions is to mount them on the wall, there is no unified system for storing and housing the remainder of your electronics. A TV stand, or an entertainment center, can do that while also offering additional storage for games, movies, music, and all other sorts of physical media.
• Coffee/Cocktail Tables – Tables in the living room provide a surface on which to hold items like coffee mugs, dinner plates, magazines, books, and laptops. A coffee table can also provide added storage to your living room allowing you to hide away extra blankets, pillows, board games, or whatever else it is that you might need within reach.
• Rugs – You may not think of rugs as a piece of furniture per se, but they can be an integral part of the overall furniture style and functionality in your living room or family room. If you do not have carpeted floors a rug can provide comfort, protection, and style to your floor.
• Sofas – A sofa is one of the most commonly known pieces of living room furniture. These pieces typically offer seating for three people and are the longest stand-alone furniture pieces. Depending on the space that you are trying to furnish, a sofa can be the starting point in furnishing your living room or family room.
• Accent Chairs – An accent chair can bring added style to your living or family room, as well as an extra seat. Many times there are accent chairs that match living room sets to bring a sense of coordination to your home decor style.
• Loveseats – A loveseat, so called because it was traditionally used as seating for two people who were in a romantic relationship (see this article for more info), has two seats close together. Loveseats are a great option if you have limited space that may not allow for a sofa or a sectional couch.
• Recliners – A recliner is one of the best ways to relax while sitting in a comfortable position. The history of recliners goes as far back as the ancient Egyptians (really! Read here), though the current styles are only a few decades old. An added bonus to a recliner is that there are so many different options for style and comfort features.
• Ottomans – Ottomans and poofs (big comfy footrests akin to bean bag chairs) are a great addition to your living room if you need a spot to put your feet up for added comfort. Some ottomans even offer internal storage as well!

Style and Design

Modern furniture options allow for a wide variety of style and design options. Living room furniture benefits from this as there are innumerable opportunities to bolster your home decor preferences. There are furniture options like traditional, contemporary, modern, farmhouse, mid-century modern, rustic, eclectic, and many more. Here are some tips on how to match furniture styles with existing home decor:

1. Identify your current decor style: Determine your predominant decor style, whether it’s modern, traditional, farmhouse, industrial, bohemian, etc. Understanding your current style will help you choose furniture that complements it.
2. Create a mood board: Gather inspiration from magazines, websites, or social media platforms like Pinterest. Create a mood board with images that reflect your desired look and include elements of your existing decor. This will give you a visual reference to guide your furniture choices.
3. Stick to a color palette: Choose furniture pieces that match or complement the colors in your current decor. If your decor features neutral colors, opt for furniture in similar tones. For bolder decor, consider furniture with complementary or accent colors.
4. Consider the scale and proportion: Ensure that the size of the furniture matches the scale of your rooms. Oversized furniture can overwhelm a small space, while small furniture might get lost in a large room. Aim for a balance that fits comfortably within your space.
5. Mix and match with intention: While it’s essential to match the overall style, incorporating a few eclectic or contrasting pieces can add character to your decor. The key is to do it intentionally and in moderation, so it enhances the overall aesthetic rather than creating a jarring look.
6. Pay attention to materials and textures: Look for furniture materials and textures that complement the existing elements in your home. For instance, if you have a lot of wood accents, consider furniture with wood features or natural materials like rattan, wicker, or jute.
7. Consider the era: If you have a vintage or retro decor theme, choose furniture styles that were popular during that era. This will help maintain the authenticity and cohesiveness of the overall look.
8. Utilize accessories and soft furnishings: Accessories like cushions, throws, rugs, and curtains can tie your furniture and existing decor together. Use them to bridge any style gaps and create a unified look.
9. Seek professional advice: If you find it challenging to make decisions, consider consulting one of Garnder White’s furniture experts. They can provide expert guidance and suggestions tailored to your specific space and style preferences.

Functionality

For example, if you need a lot of seating for a large family then consider a sectional couch. Perhaps it’s just you and your spouse in the home. In that case, you can consider either a couple of recliners or a loveseat. Maybe you have a need for storage in multiple places within your living room. Consider a storage ottoman, and tables with added storage. Whatever the purpose of the furniture, be sure to know what function it is to perform.

Budget

Delivery Options

It may not seem like delivery options are a major consideration when shopping for living room furniture, but they should be! You must know three things about delivery from your furniture retailer:

• Do they offer delivery? Some retailers are incapable of offering delivery so they recommend other transit companies that can cost you a lot more money.
• How soon can I get my furniture delivered? If the retailer does offer delivery, you may have to wait a long while for the furniture to be delivered. Know your options and time frame before completing your purchase!
• How much does delivery cost? Depending on the furniture store you may have to pay a fee for delivery. (Garnder White offers free same-day delivery!)

Need More Help Choosing Living Room Furniture?

You can contact one of Gardner White’s experts at (248) 481-2208, chat with one online, or visit one of our local Michigan stores.