Ah.
The bedroom. Your personal retreat. The space you call your own. The
place where you can shut out the world and refresh your spirit. This
is your room, so create it with you in mind. You need only please
yourself and your significant other.
To
help ensure you're on the right track in searching for furnishings
to create your dream bedroom, the American Home Furnishings Alliance
offers these shopping tips:
Decide what best expresses your personal style.
Determine your budget.
Measure your space to see what pieces you can
accommodate.
A well-equipped bedroom generally consists of a
bed, a nightstand or two, a dresser or chest and a mirror. Many
of today's bedrooms feature an armoire, too.
The bed is generally the focal point of the
bedroom so you'll probably want to select it first.
When shopping for pieces that aren't
upholstered, such as dressers, chests and tables (known as "casegood"
in the furniture speak), find out what they are made of – is it
hardwood or softwood? Quality pieces are available in both hard
and soft woods.
With any wood pieces, an examination of the
construction will reveal a lot about the quality. Lift a corner.
Does it feel heavy and sturdy? Check out the corners. Do they
feel strong and secure?
Open and shut the drawers. Do they open and
close easily? Do they fit snugly? You want to make sure they
don't sag.
Examine the finish of the piece. The finish
should be smooth, without cracks or bubbles.
Check the hardware, e.g. handles and pulls –
they should be secure and strong with no rough or sharp edges.
And after
you've made your major furniture selections, remember to add
accessories, such as lamps, photo frames, rugs and wall décor.
