When you purchase your first home, you'll likely want to go out and buy beautiful new furnishings to fill up the rooms. Before pulling out that credit card, though, make a list of the furnishings that are must haves.

Sofa

Buy the best sofa you can afford. A good couch can last ten to fifteen years before being relegated to the basement. Find a couch that has a kiln dried hardwood frame and upholstered cushions, not just cloth sacks filled with foam.

Upholstered Chairs

For your living room, you should have two upholstered chairs that are of the same quality as your sofa. Don't buy a matching living room suite, however. These often become dated looking within a year or two. Purchase two distinctive, yet compatible chairs.

Coffee Table

Don't blow your budget on a fancy coffee table. Instead buy a good solid table that will last three to five years before being shifted elsewhere. You won't feel bad about putting your feet up on it, and replacing it in a few years will update your furniture grouping.

End Tables

Everyone needs a place to put his drink down, his book down, or his glasses when he wants to stretch out on the couch. Two end tables for either side of the couch are a must.

Bookcases

These are a must have. Too often, books and magazines are piled up in corners because you just don't get around to buying bookcases. Purchase solid bookcases of varying sizes. Use one in the family room, one in the home office and one in the kitchen for cookbooks and extra storage.

Dining Table and Chairs

Even if you prefer to eat in front of the TV with your feet up on the coffee table, a dining room table is necessary. Purchase the largest table you can and make sure your dining chairs are comfortable. This will make for some great dinner parties.

Window Treatments

Just how long do you think you can stand to look at those sheets tacked up over the window? Not long. You needn't invest a great deal of money in your window treatments, but you should purchase good drapery or blinds that will last at least three years. Neutral colors will work best; you don't want to have to change your window treatments just because you paint the walls a different color.

Bed

Buy the best you can buy. Like the couch, your bed should last you several years. As with your living room seating, stay away from suites. By investing in a good bed, you can update your room by replacing the less costly items and still keep the bed.

Dressers

Two dressers are better than one. Buy one for each of you. Dressers come in all sorts of sizes; be sure to purchase those that will accommodate all your folded clothing.

Lighting

Light up the whole house. You need lamps for the living room, the dining room, the kitchen and bedrooms. Don't forget the desk lamp for the home office and the sconces for the hallway.

Television

You need not purchase this. Ask your mom and dad to buy you a wall mounted plasma TV for a house warming gift.

Learn more about this author, Shelly Mcrae.
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