by Shelly Mcrae

Created on: June 16, 2009   Last Updated: March 10, 2011

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. This piece of furniture is an investment, lasing ten to fifteen years before needing replacement. Select a couch with a kiln dried hardwood frame for durability. 

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
Buy a good solid table with a three to five year expectancy; make this one of your low budget items. 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 for his drink, his book 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. Like a sofa, this is an investment. Select a dining set with a long life expectancy.

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 afford, one that provides comfort and durability. 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, like night stands, and still keep the bed. 

Dressers
If the budget is tight, select one large dresser and one smaller dresser of lesser quality. When you have more money, purchase a high quality piece to replace the smaller dresser.

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 big screen TV as a house warming gift.

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