How to choose the right furniture for my house ?

Freestanding furniture usually comes in matching ranges, giving a room a co-ordinated feel. While not as space efficient as built-in furniture, its major benefit is that it can be rearranged easily and reused in a different room in a new combination if you move house. Stick to a similar style and finish

This is essential if you're introducing new furniture alongside existing pieces, unless it's a statement piece that is intended to stand alone

When positioning furniture, make sure there's space to walk around comfortably and allow enough room to open drawers and doors without causing an obstruction.

Go for a combination of open shelving to display favourite books or ornaments and closed storage (cupboards and drawers) to hide the clutter you don't want everyone to see.

The more furniture you have, the smaller a room can look. Darker woods can look heavy and imposing - not ideal in a small space. Lighter woods, glass, acrylic and gloss finishes reflect light and create an illusion of space. Don't buy on impulse - work out exactly where a piece will go (check the dimensions and measure up) before you make a final decision. .

If space is limited, look for coffee tables with shelves and drawers, a nest of tables instead of a side table, or lidded footstools with space for storage inside.