I’ve never been a great fan of current trends when it comes to furniture and home furnishings, as I believe homes should be about personal expression. But, if there’s one trend I am happy to embrace, it’s a move towards prioritizing longevity and sustainability – and quality over quantity – especially when buying ‘big-ticket’ items like furniture. While it would be naïve not to consider the importance of price (most of us have to keep to a budget of some sort!) there are definitely other things to keep in mind before you choose.

1. Functionality

(Featuring Aspen Dining Table in Congo and Aspen Dining Chairs in Positano Sago)

Think about what you really need for your lifestyle. For example, a sofa is often our most significant purchase, so it should be as comfortable for relaxing in front of a TV movie as it is for chatting with friends. If you love to entertain, then the size of dining table and choice of chairs is significant. The right furniture enhances our daily lives, but it requires realistic assessment of what we need from it and how we’re going to use it. Do you have young children? Or pets? And with more of us than ever before living in apartments or downsizing, dual functionality is also something to consider, like beds and sofas with built-in storage, bookcases that double as room dividers and desks with integrated lighting and charging.

2. Scale and Proportion

(Featuring the Concerto Sofa in Olsen Natural and Hue Rug in Sage)

Have a clear idea of the dimensions of the room – including doorways - and if you’re an apartment dweller, consider access points for furniture delivery such as lifts and stairwells. And here’s the good news: small spaces don’t always require small furniture! Scaled-down furniture can make a small space feel smaller (what I call the ‘doll-house effect’), but an illusion of space can often be created by choosing larger pieces. Think too about moving sofas and chairs away from walls to allow access around them. That will also enhance the feeling of space. 

3. Trend v Classic

(Featuring Zaza in Positano Silver)