Shopping for Furniture
Shopping for furniture seems like a pretty fun undertaking, until you realize you have no idea what to buy. Thumbing through a catalog, you see ottomans, loveseats, vanities… what happened to the old couch and table? If finding sturdy, well-priced, useful furniture is your goal, then arm yourself with Apartments.com’s guide to furniture shopping. We’ll clue you in on modern furniture lingo and pass along some tips for creating a great living space. Now all you need is a way to get it home! (We’ll give you some tips on that, too).
Bookcases-Yes, these obviously store books in a neat and convenient fashion but they also make great shelving solutions for living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens. Pick up a small one to hold the toiletries in your bathroom, a large one to serve as a hutch (more on that later) in your kitchen or a mid-sized one in your bedroom to hold the extra clothes that don’t fit in your drawers.
Chest-These are great for extra storage, but are often quite heavy and can’t really serve another purpose unless they are designed to be sat on when the lid is closed. Look for designs that can also serve as stools, pedastals or benches.
China Cabinet-This is a thin cabinet designed for displaying china. You’ve probably seen one before in a larger house but if you have a spacious kitchen or dining room in your apartment, these will work great! If you don’t have china, but like the cabinet, go ahead and store collectibles or even your everyday serveware in it. China cabinets usually have clear doors, so make sure that you’re okay with the world seeing whatever you may store in it.
Dinette-This term refers to a set of table and chairs used for dining purposes. You can usually save money by buying the entire set as opposed to buying one piece at a time. A dinette is usually smaller than a standard dining room set.
End table-An end table is similar to a coffee table. Many end tables have additional drawers or storage space underneath. These are great for apartments that are short on cabinets or closets.
Hall tree-This is a tall stand with hooks on it for hanging coats, hats, umbrellas, etc. You might consider buying one if you have extra space near your front door. You can also create storage for coats and the like by hanging hooks on the wall close to the front or back door.
Hutch-A piece of kitchen furniture designed for extra storage and as a display for dishes or knick-knacks.
Loveseat-A loveseat is not just for lovers—this shorter-than-usual couch is great for smaller spaces where a full sized sofa won’t fit.
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