Splurge or Save: A Guide for Home Furnishings

More than any other room, your living area can have a significant impact on the overall look and feel of your home. Living rooms see a lot of traffic in general, from hosting family movie nights and formal get-togethers to supporting everyday lounging and relaxation activities. Consider beginning your furniture shopping journey here to establish a solid foundation.

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• • Sofa, Sectional, or Loveseat: Durable, well-crafted, and comfortable seating is a necessity for living rooms; your primary seating will be a natural focal point and should be able to support constant use. For maximum versatility, opt for something in a neutral color with a classic contemporary design like the Giada sectional, with its angled silhouette and mix of materials. Such a timeless look ensures your seating will be in style for years to come.
  • Coffee Table: Often positioned in front of your living room seating, coffee tables can see just as much daily use and should have quality materials and sturdy craftmanship. Look for multifunctional designs with built-in storage or adjustable tops, like the Reveal coffee table, to help mitigate the need for additional furnishings, as well as ones made with wood, stone, or metal, such as the Victor coffee table.

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• • Accent Chairs: After investing in your anchor seating piece, you can get a little more flexible with additional living room seating, both in price-point and style. As your lifestyle or aesthetic needs change, so can your accent seating and layout. With a wide range of styles and budget-friendly options, consider playing with brighter colors or bolder designs. Anton’s mustard fabric and sloped seat have a semi-retro feel that creates the perfect spot to cozy up. Accent chairs’ smaller presence ensures they won’t overwhelm your design environment.
  • Throw Pillows & Blankets: These living room accessories are easily changed and often switched out to match the seasons – not to mention their susceptibility to spills and other messes. Feel free to go for more inexpensive options here – pick pillows and blankets that you find comfortable and fit your current color scheme.

A significant portion of our lives is spent sleeping, making our bedrooms a crucial space for comfort and relaxation. When shopping for your bedroom furnishings, prioritize designs that balance practical function with aesthetic appeal – anything that feels serene and inviting to you is sure to aid in restful sleep.

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• • Bed Frame: Since beds set the tone for the entire room, investing your time and money into a supportive frame is paramount for your comfort. Time-honored wood designs are always an excellent choice, and with the variety of options available these days, it’s easy to go as classic or contemporary as you like. Tech-savvy designs like the Up-Linq are worth considering, as they can have built-in charging outlets or shelves, touch lighting, and noise reduction platforms that help with restful sleep and reduce the need to purchase other furnishings. With top-notch craftsmanship and innovative construction, Up-Linq has features like a height adjustable frame and platform that will evolve with your lifestyle needs or mattress choice.
  • Mattress: Splurging on a high-quality mattress can “promote better sleep, reduce back pain, and improve your overall health,” Bill states. To determine the right size and model, think about your comfort needs and your bedroom’s spatial limitations – what size will satisfy you while keeping your space from feeling cluttered? Additionally, consider looking for mattresses with innovative builds that promote airflow, wick away moisture, or help align the body, like the Stressless® Sky. If you’re looking to splurge on your mattress purchase, consider the Harlequin Malia, the world’s only electronically adjustable mattress with built-in movement mechanisms. Or purchase one of Copenhagen’s adjustable frames that fits into almost any bed frame – creating an adjustable mattress setup without necessarily needing to buy a new mattress!

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• • Nightstands: As nightstands’ main function is for storage, you can opt for more affordable pieces. Minimalist designs with wood or metal structures will complement most bedrooms and keep the spotlight on your investment pieces. Or choose a roomy end or side table like the Bink for a clean, minimalist look.
  • Decorative Accents: The finishing touches on your bedroom are likely to be most appreciated by you, so consider prioritizing home decor that resonates with you personally. Mix family photos, memorabilia, or your favorite knickknacks with quirky animal figurines and calming wall arts to create an organic bedroom that speaks to you. “Wall art has a significant impact on any room, reflecting your taste and making a space feel uniquely yours,” Bill says. “It also pulls together your entire design.”

From providing a space to eat and catch up at the end of the day to hosting holiday get-togethers and boardgame nights, the dining room is, at its core, a place of gathering. As such, when shopping for dining furniture, look for items that are versatile enough to support varying functions and differing comfort needs. Bill also stresses the importance of considering your current dining usage; “If it’s more of a formal space used only occasionally, you might choose to save. But if you host frequently, it’s likely worth the splurge.”

Splurge

• • Dining Table: Splurging on a formal dining table that’s both practical and elegant keeps your dining area stylish and ready-to-use. Consider tables with adjustable lengths that allow you to comfortably seat any number of people, as well as designs made from wood, steel, and other durable materials. The Karsten is not only length-adjustable, but also features a Fenix nano laminate top that provides a protective layer against everyday wear and tear, as well as a height adjustment mechanism that mitigates the need for a separate bar table.
  • Dining Chairs: Comfort while sitting is essential for you and your guests; investing in high-quality upholstered chairs with extra padding or lumbar support ensures more time spent at the table making memories. Look for designs made with top-grain leather or high-rub fabric to ensure long-lasting durability. The Italian-made Arcadia features soft tailored leather, a supportive s-shaped back, and a neutral contemporary look that lends itself to a variety of design environments.

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• • Breakfast Tables & Bars: With a luxury dining table ready to serve a larger number of guests, there’s less need to go as formal with a breakfast or bar table. Opt for simple, less ornamental designs that are easy to clean and manage; compact styles like Calypso are budget-friendly but provide enough space for quick meals or cozy cocktails.
  • Sideboards & Buffets: You can easily save on these dining complements by prioritizing their display and storage needs and letting your other furnishings and decor do the heavier design work. Look for sideboards with three to four storage compartments and adjustable shelves to provide ample and convenient room for dining utensils. Wood-finished designs with classic silhouettes like the Hudson buffet are affordable and flexible enough to fit into a wide variety of design environments.

By carefully considering the balance between luxury and budget-friendly furniture, you can create an inviting home that reflects your unique style and feels stylistically cohesive. Remember to prioritize quality, functionality, and personal satisfaction in your furniture shopping choices. And Bill’s final piece of advice?

“Take advantage of promotions, clearance items, and floor models whenever you can. Copenhagen’s Essentials Collection is a great place to start looking for high-quality items at the fraction of the usual price.”

For more shopping and design help, contact or visit a Copenhagen showroom to meet our sales and interior design experts.