Furnishing Your Home Chapter 24-2

Objectives Explain how to choose good furniture Demonstrate ways to organize living space Give examples of ways to use accessories

Choosing Furniture Basic furnishings should be comfortable, tasteful & suitable to your lifestyle Furniture should be durable enough to last several years Choose furniture that is functional with multiple uses Furniture should be in proportion to the size of the room

Furniture Styles Traditional – based on popular styles of the past. (ex. Early American-rustic, sturdy, made of pine, birch, or maple wood)‏ Modern – simple lines- “form follows function” Contemporary – latest design & materials, plain lines, made of metal, plastics, & glass with or without wood

Judging Quality in Furniture Wood furniture Veneer Joints Finish Upholstered furniture Sturdy frame Quality springs and cushions Fabric durability Wood furniture Veneer is a thin slice of fine-quality wood that is bonded to inexpensive wood. Makes wood affordable versus solid wood. Good veneered furniture is strong, durable and more resistant to breaking and warping than solid wood. Joints – quality joints are more expensive but much more durable. Ex. Dove tail,dowel or tongue and groove as opposed to glue screws or nails. Finish – treatment to wood to improve surface. Some are decorative affecting wood’s color, grain pattern and sheen. Other finishes are protective helping surface resist moisture and scratches. Upholstered furniture Reinforced frame with corner blocks or steel plates. Read labels – important details are hidden from view. Sit on furniture to judge quality of springs and cushions. Check for comfort of seat, back and arms. Fabric – fine fabrics like silk or loosely woven fabrics are not durable. Soil repellent and fire-resistant finishes may have been applied for safety and durability. Seams and stitches should be neat and straight with matched patterns.

Organizing Living Space Shared space Areas where family can gather & spend time Should reflect everyone's needs and taste Furniture arranged for communication Often contain activity centers Personal space Areas to be alone and store personal belongings If sharing, arrange furniture to achieve privacy

Organizing Living Space Scale floor plan Drawing shows size and shape of a room Traffic patterns-paths to follow within room Avoid too much furniture in a room Place large pieces first Place large pieces parallel to the walls Allow enough space to use furniture Arrange upholstered furniture among wood

Using Accessories Pictures, flowers, statues, clocks and lamps are all examples of accessories Select accessories with textures and colors that go with the rest of the room Keep proportion in mind Consider the design element of line