One defining element of a complete and comfortable home is its furniture. For that reason, most people see furniture as among the most important investments they can make for their home life, and they’re willing to spend extra time or money to get the right pieces.
But if you’re on a budget, have space constraints, or are simply overwhelmed by the many different types of furniture you can buy, where should you start? To answer that question, here are eight items to look out for when you browse through new or second hand furniture Philippines stores. These items are perfect for budget furniture buyers, buyers who tend to experience choice fatigue when shopping, and residents of small home spaces like townhouses or apartments.
Sofa
A reliable sofa should be one of the top items on your to-buy list for new or preloved home furniture. Your couch will serve multiple functions throughout the years in your home, from helping you relax and unwind in front of the TV to entertaining guests at house parties.
If a friend or family member needs to spend the night, they can also take refuge on your sofa. It would be good to buy the kind of sofa that’s foldable or that features a built-in pullout so that it can double as a day bed or guest bed.
Coffee Table
The best companion for your couch is a dedicated coffee table. Your coffee table serves the purpose of accommodating drinks, snacks, books, magazines, and other items that should be easily within reach when you’re relaxing or entertaining people. Buy a high-quality coffee table and leave space for simple home decorations to brighten up your living room, like a vase, scented candle, or indoor plant.
Dining Table
Next, you’ll need to furnish your home with a proper dining table. Knowing how often you’ll use your dining table for meals, as well as other tasks like studying or working over a cup of coffee or tea, it’s wise to invest in a sturdy dining table that will last you for years. For added versatility, you can look for the type with adjustable sides and simply lift one of them whenever you need the extra space.
Simple Chairs
Your home will also need a set of simple, no-nonsense chairs that you can carry from room to room and use for multiple applications. Most people opt for nondescript plastic chairs or stools, as these are both light and durable. But it’s also an option to buy wood items that have the same qualities and that are more aesthetically pleasing to boot.
Work Desk
Regardless of whether you work onsite or online, your home won’t be complete without at least one work desk where you can concentrate on urgent tasks. Invest in an ergonomic desk that guarantees you enough surface area to work on, plus storage for items like computer accessories, speakers, notebooks, and documents.
If the desk doesn’t come with built-in drawers or storage shelves, buy portable shelf or drawer solutions like a rolling drawer cabinet. You’ll definitely need these to keep your items organized and to free up space on the desk itself.
Filing Cabinet
Lots of the documents that you need in your everyday life, like your bills and contracts, have digitized counterparts to their original pen-and-paper forms. All the same, paper documents are not completely obsolete, and you’ll need a place to store the most important ones.
Filing cabinets are a great investment in terms of furniture because they can keep paper documents organized as well as safeguard precious mementoes like old photos, certificates, and newspaper clippings. Consider getting one for your home and storing your most important documents there.
Nightstand
Another piece that you should get specifically for your bedroom is a nightstand. If you have a lamp or nightlight in your room, your nightstand will make it easy to switch it on or off and therefore adjust the overall brightness from the comfort of your bed. You can also use your nightstand for items like your mobile phone, your charger, a glass of water, and any daily meds that you take at night.
If you share the room with someone else, you can buy dual night stands that serve as end tables and let one person have one table each. But if you’re the sole occupant of your room, a single console, or night table facing the wall, should do just fine.
Bookshelf
Lastly, your home should have at least one bookshelf in key spaces like your room, your living room, or your home office. If you don’t have much horizontal space, your shelves will help you utilize vertical space for your things.
Books and magazines aren’t the only things you can use your shelves for. Use them to display figurines, memorabilia, plant pots, or any other items that you think will make your home feel even more homey.
These are by no means the only furniture items you should get for your home, and the order in which you get them—as well as other pieces you have on—really depends on your individual needs. But the items in this list serve as great starting points for virtually any type of home.
Which of these are you in the market for, and which ones do you plan to buy brand-new versus secondhand?
