Where to buy furniture for Your first apartment – Discover 41+ of the best places to shop to create a cozy and stylish feel in your new home!
Furnishing your first apartment is an exciting milestone, but it can also be challenging. Especially when you are short on time, don’t own any furniture, and trying to balance your future style wants and needs. Trust me I know the challenge you are facing having moved TOO many times in the last five years.
This comprehensive guide will help you navigate the process of finding the best places to buy furniture for your new home, considering both your needs and budget.
Where to Buy Furniture For Your First Apartment:
Before exploring the best places to buy furniture, we first need to understand what type of furniture to look for—pieces that will provide longevity and style that can grow with you. Below are my tried-and-true methods for choosing the right furniture for you!
How to Choose Furniture For Your Home
When buying furniture that will grow with you over the years, it’s essential to invest in pieces that balance timeless style, quality craftsmanship, and functional adaptability. As an interior design lover, my advice focuses on finding furniture that not only enhances your current space but can evolve alongside your life and style changes.
Considering where to buy furniture for your first apartment will need to adapt to changes in your life, such as the arrival of children or pets. Select performance fabrics that are easy to clean and resistant to stains or scratches, and look for furniture that’s easy to maintain. This ensures that your investment stays looking fresh and new, even with the wear and tear of daily life. Here are my key tips:
1. Choose Timeless Over Trendy
Opt for classic designs that can adapt to different decor styles as your tastes mature. Trendy furniture might look appealing now, but it can quickly become outdated. Pieces with clean lines, neutral colors, and versatile silhouettes can seamlessly fit into various design themes over time. Think mid-century modern sofas, traditional armchairs, or a solid wood dining table with minimal embellishments.
Design Note: Measure each piece’s dimensions and compare them to your room’s available space. For instance, in a 120 sq ft room, a sofa that’s around 72 inches wide will typically fit well, leaving space for complementary pieces like accent chairs. To ensure proportionality, consider both the floor and ceiling heights. A low-profile sofa of 30 inches or less suits rooms with lower ceilings, while taller furniture works well in spaces with high ceilings.
2. Invest in Quality Craftsmanship and Functionality
Look for solid wood frames, high-quality upholstery fabrics, and durable finishes. If budget allows, explore custom or semi-custom furniture options where you can choose materials and craftsmanship that meet your standards.
Where to buy furniture for your first apartment – Multi-functional furniture is invaluable as your living needs change. For example, a modular sofa that can be reconfigured to fit different room layouts, or a dining table that expands to accommodate more guests, adds longevity to your investment. This allows for your furniture to grow with you. Storage furniture like ottomans or sideboards with hidden compartments can adapt to changing storage needs as you move or adjust your living situation.
3. Stick to a Neutral Base
Opt for neutral tones for larger, more expensive pieces like sofas, beds, and dressers. These neutral foundations allow you to change the room’s look by switching out smaller accents like pillows, throws, or art without a complete overhaul. This not only saves money but keeps your space looking fresh over time.
Tips For Furnishing Your First Apartment: Measurements, Style and Theme
Now you have an idea of how to choose the right furniture for you, the first step in choosing the perfect pieces for your home is to assess the available space accurately.
Begin by measuring the room’s dimensions, including its length, width, and ceiling height. Using a reliable tape measure, note each wall’s length, and make sure to record additional details like window placements and door swings. This will give you a better understanding of the space you’re working with and prevent the common mistake of buying furniture that’s too large or small.
For irregular or angled spaces, make sure to capture all relevant dimensions. To calculate your room’s square footage, multiply its length by its width (e.g., a 10×12 ft room is 120 sq ft). This can be a simple hand-drawn sketch or an online floor planner tool. This drawing will inform the max and min size for key furniture pieces like your bed, or couch.
Design Note: A key rule of thumb when planning your layout is to leave about 30-36 inches of clearance in main walkways to allow for easy movement. Additionally, maintain at least 18 inches between furniture pieces to ensure the space doesn’t feel crowded. Aim for a balance where furniture occupies around 60% of the space while 40% remains open for walkability.
For extra tips on how to furnish your apartment, check out our article on furnishing small spaces.
Prioritizing Function and Flow
When selecting furniture, consider how the pieces will be used and how they contribute to the room’s flow. Be sure to arrange the larger items in a room first to establish the room’s flow, ensuring you maintain at least 30 inches of space between major pieces, such as between the sofa and coffee table. This makes moving around the room comfortable and enhances the space’s usability.
Coordinating Colors and Materials
Listen up this is important! Coordinating the colors and materials of your furniture with the rest of your home’s décor is another essential step. Choose textures and tones that complement one another and align with your lifestyle. For example, pet owners may benefit from durable, scratch-resistant fabrics.
Design note: When choosing colors, the best advice I can give for beginners is to pick one main color, preferably a neutral one. This neutral color can then be expressed in various ways throughout your space using different textures and hues. Next, choose one accent color—this is the color that should stand out and add a pop to your space. Finally, select a secondary accent color. This secondary color should be similar to your main color and used more subtly than your main accent color. For example, if your main color is brown, your accent color could be red, and your secondary accent color could be yellow.
Choosing Furniture for Smaller Rooms
For smaller spaces, scale is everything. Opt for multifunctional furniture that maximizes utility without overwhelming the room, such as sofa beds or drop-leaf tables. A useful rule of thumb is to select furniture that doesn’t occupy more than one-third of the room’s width. This helps maintain an open feel and ensures that the room remains functional and comfortable.
Where to Buy Apartment Furniture: Online Retailers
Where to buy furniture for your first apartment is crucial when it comes to style – Here you will find all the best online retailers for apartment furniture.
Best Budget-Friendly and Inexpensive Apartment Furniture:
Finding quality furniture that fits your budget without sacrificing style is essential when furnishing an apartment. The best budget-friendly and inexpensive furniture options combine functionality, durability, and design. The options below can create a comfortable and visually appealing apartment without exceeding your budget:
Wayfair
An online marketplace offering a vast selection of furniture across various styles and price points, making it a go-to for many shoppers.
IKEA
Known for affordable, functional, and minimalist designs, IKEA provides a wide range of furniture suitable for various spaces.
Amazon
Offers a vast selection of furniture across various styles and price points, making it a go-to for many shoppers.
AllModern
Focuses on modern and contemporary furniture designs, offering a curated selection that balances style and affordability.
Target
Provides affordable and stylish furniture options, including exclusive designer collaborations.
Etsy
Features unique, handmade, and vintage furniture pieces from independent sellers worldwide.
Urban Outfitters
Provides eclectic and trendy furniture pieces aimed at younger, style-conscious consumers.
Joss & Main
Offers a wide range of stylish furniture and home decor at accessible price points.
Best Apartment Furniture For Contemporary Homes
For those looking to furnish a contemporary apartment, selecting pieces that reflect modern elegance and clean lines is key. Whether you’re looking for statement pieces or functional staples, these retailers provide options that align with the sophisticated and streamlined style of contemporary homes:
West Elm
Offers contemporary furniture and home decor with an emphasis on sustainability and community-driven designs.
Anthropologie
Features unique and bohemian-inspired furniture and home decor, catering to those seeking distinctive pieces.
Pottery Barn
Offers a wide range of classic and timeless furniture pieces, focusing on quality craftsmanship and sustainable materials.
BR Home
Provides contemporary furniture with a focus on modern aesthetics and functionality.
Crate and Barrel
Known for contemporary and modern furniture designs, focusing on quality and functionality.
Studio McGee
Provides a curated collection of furniture and decor that embodies a clean, classic aesthetic with a modern twist.
Oliver Bonas
Features design-led furniture with a focus on contemporary styles and unique materials.
1stDibs
An online marketplace offering a curated selection of high-end vintage and contemporary furniture from top dealers worldwide.
Pure Salt
Provides coastal-inspired furniture and decor, focusing on light, airy designs and natural materials.
Arhaus
Specializes in handcrafted, artisan furniture with a commitment to sustainability and unique designs.
Classic Apartment Furniture
For a classic and timeless look, choosing furniture that embodies elegance and traditional design is essential. These retailers make it easy to furnish your apartment with enduring pieces that exude elegance and charm:
Serena & Lily
Offers coastal-inspired furniture and decor, blending classic influences with modern designs for a relaxed yet refined aesthetic.
Ballard Designs
Offers European-inspired furniture and home decor with a focus on timeless style.
One Kings Lane
Provides a curated selection of vintage and designer furniture pieces for unique home styling.
Frontgate
Offers upscale indoor and outdoor furniture, focusing on quality materials and timeless designs.
Perigold
An online retailer offering a wide range of luxury furniture and home decor from top brands.
Sandi and Modern Apartment Furniture
Scandinavian modern design, celebrated for its minimalist aesthetics and functional elegance, is ideal for apartment living. When selecting furniture, prioritize pieces with clean lines, neutral color palettes, and natural materials like wood and leather. By choosing furniture from these retailers, you can create a harmonious and inviting Scandinavian and/or modern atmosphere in your apartment:
Maiden Home
Provides handcrafted, custom-made furniture with a focus on quality materials and timeless designs.
Jayson Home
Features a collection of unique, high-quality furniture pieces with a focus on timeless design.
Article
Specializes in modern, mid-century, and Scandinavian-inspired furniture, focusing on quality materials and streamlined designs.
CB2
A sister brand to Crate & Barrel, CB2 offers modern and eclectic furniture pieces that appeal to urban dwellers and design enthusiasts.
Rove Concepts
Specializes in modern, mid-century, and Scandinavian-inspired furniture, focusing on quality materials and streamlined designs.
Albany Park
Offers modern, easy-to-assemble sofas and sectionals designed for urban living spaces.
Sundays
Provides minimalist and modern furniture designs with an emphasis on comfort and simplicity.
Blu Dot
Known for its original, modern designs that are both functional and playful, Blu Dot offers a range of furniture that stands out.
Audo Copenhagen
Combines Scandinavian design principles with modern aesthetics, offering minimalist and functional furniture pieces.
Design Within Reach
Provides authentic modern furniture and accessories, featuring iconic designs from renowned designers.
Lulu and Georgia
Features a curated selection of trendy and stylish furniture pieces, blending modern and bohemian aesthetics.
Sixpenny
Specializes in comfortable, relaxed furniture with a focus on natural materials and soft fabrics.
Soho Home
Offers furniture and homeware inspired by the interiors of Soho House members’ clubs, blending luxury with comfort.
Customizable Apartment Furniture
Think customizable when considering where to buy furniture for your first apartment. For those seeking customizable furniture options that perfectly suit their apartment’s unique layout and personal style, several retailers excel in offering flexibility and tailored solutions:
The Inside
Offers customizable furniture with a wide range of fabric and pattern options to suit individual tastes.
Interior Define
Offers customizable furniture options, allowing customers to tailor pieces to their specific style and space requirements.
Darlings of Chelsea
Specializes in handcrafted, custom-made sofas and chairs, offering a range of styles from classic to contemporary.
Second-Hand and Thrift Options
For those on a tight budget or looking for more sustainable options, second-hand furniture can be a goldmine. Facebook Marketplace is great for finding local deals, and the transactions are usually pretty straightforward.
Craigslist offers a wide variety of used furniture, but just be sure to practice safe buying habits when meeting with sellers. Thrift stores and consignment shops can hide some real gems if you’re willing to put in the time to look.
And don’t forget about estate sales! You can often find high-quality, well-made furniture at significantly discounted rates. It’s like stepping into a time machine of furniture styles!
Assessing Your Needs and Budget
Let’s start by taking a good look at what you’ve already got. You might be surprised to find that some of your existing pieces can work well in your new apartment. Once you’ve done that, it’s time to make a list of the essential furniture pieces you’ll need. Think about the basics: a comfortable bed, a couch for relaxing, a dining table for meals, and maybe a desk if you work from home.
Now, here’s the tricky part: setting a realistic budget. It’s easy to get carried away when you’re furnishing a new place, but remember, you don’t need to buy everything at once. Prioritize the essentials and allocate your funds accordingly. You can always add more pieces later as your budget allows.
Conclusion
When considering where to buy furniture for your first apartment there are numerous options for buying furniture for your first apartment, from online retailers and brick-and-mortar stores to second-hand sources and rental services. By mixing and matching these sources, you can create a personalized and stylish first home that fits your budget and needs. Remember to shop smart, measure your space, and look for deals to make the most of your furniture shopping experience.
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