Owning your home for the first time can be exciting. It's a step toward independent living, and once all the lawyers have been paid, the new home owner is left with making those four walls into a home. To evaluate which pieces of furniture or furnishings are vital to your lifestyle, personal taste does matter, although before getting to the luxury of finishing things in style, the essential items must be bought which are universal in considering comfort.

Bed.

The most vital piece of furniture you invest in is your bed. Human beings spend a vast amount of time sleeping. Sleep is essential to good health and wellbeing, and this is one area which should never be scrimped on. Check for different styles though recognize that the quality of your mattress is essential to how your sleep.

If you are working with a limited budget, look at the different bed frames available as often economies can be made in the purchase of the bed itself, rather than the mattress.

Wardrobe.

In the bedroom area, you will have to store clothing. If you have a limited budget, there are options available to you, where made to measure flat pack kits may be a good idea. Before investing in one of these, work out what space you have available, and also what you need to fit that space. There certainly are innovative ways to fill a wardrobe space practically, and to allow drawer areas for underwear, shoe areas, hanging space and shelf space, thus eliminating the need to have separate furniture. This looks neat and also frees up space, making your home look larger and better in presentation.

If self build is not an option for you, look at the variance in styles and colors, and try to match this in with the chosen bed, to get a really homely, well thought out and coordinated look.

Sofa or armchairs.

Depending upon the size of your new home, you will certainly need something comfortable to sit on. A sofa gives you a space to relax. It is the obvious choice for relaxation, and if you cannot afford much, do take a look at what the second hand market offers, since you may be able to afford better quality than you thought within your budget.

Check out the sofa for comfort as well as looks, as often new home makers forget that this is a large piece of furniture which you will not be replacing for some time, and must be easy to live with. If your new home does not allow much space for guests, it may be worthwhile thinking of the newer sofa beds which recline to

• 1
• 2
• 3
• next page >>

---

Add your voice

Know something about Top 10 furnishings for first time home buyers?
We want to hear your view. Write now!