With all the choices available at so many furniture stores in your area and online how do we decide which sofa, chair, table etc to have in our own home. If you live in a small town they may allow you to have pieces “On approval” although in most cases you’ll have to use your “eyeometre” to assess whether the proportions will be right in your space.
Start by getting measurements; the length and depth. From this information mark out where the piece will sit on the floor.
The height is also important, particularly in a small space where it’s essential to get the sizing absolutely right.
Tip: furniture generally appears smaller in a showroom where ceilings are higher and spaces are larger.
If there is a choice between solid wood and MDF which is a composite wood chip and resin, go for solid wood. It’s likely to be your visitors who leave a coffee stain or a kind friend who puts a damp vase directly on the sideboard, giving the wood an unwanted permanent mark. So select a product with a hardy finish.
Dark wood is more formal and requires extra maintenance while a well designed light wood piece in a simple style will maintain its value. Painted wood is casually relaxed. By coordinating a selection of pieces in similar colour and design, as the years progress, the space will have unity and demonstrate your sense of style.

Thank you,
Betty