Choosing the Right Furniture

Like the move process, the task of properly furnishing your home can be an anxiety- inducing experience, especially since a furniture purchase can seem so very final. But if you follow some smart shopping basics, you'll reduce your stress and make the right decisions without panicking.

Decide what you like
Make a list of the colors, textures and patterns that you prefer. Mixing and matching is an acceptable practice, as long as it's within reason. But if you don't trust yourself, try to assign your décor to one of the major categories:

• Casual (comfy-looking, earthy, woods)
• Contemporary (sharp, angular, metallic)
• Country (soft, floral, painted woods)
• Traditional (antiques, dark red woods, damask and chintz)
• Eclectic (ethnic or artisan pieces, highly individualized)
  

Generally, it works best to decide on one main theme for a room, but use contrast to accent your look. And if you're interested in doing some home décor research, check out TV shows, magazines, books, catalogs, Web sites and furniture chat rooms for ideas. A lot of expert's will tell you to make a scrapbook of styles that you like to narrow down the options. But most importantly, remember that you're the one who has to enjoy your surroundings - not the decorator, not your best friend and not your mother.