| There are several buying categories for renters. | | | | and style will blend. |
| These are things which are flexible, decorative, | | | | There are the obvious choices, as well. Sleep |
| affordable and portable. | | | | sofas are invaluable and come in many sizes and |
| Furniture purchases need to be thought out | | | | styles. Many are available with air mattresses are |
| carefully. Consider size and style. A piece that is | | | | really are comfortable. Large storage ottomans |
| too large or extreme in style might not fit in your | | | | can be used as cocktail tables and places to store |
| next apartment or home. If you stick to the | | | | the bedding for the sleepers as well as extra |
| medium in sizes and finish you have the flexibility | | | | seating when entertaining. Smaller ottomans can |
| of using each item in different rooms and | | | | store under sofa tables for a decorative and |
| different ways. | | | | useful addition. |
| Storage is always a problem and furniture choices | | | | Armoires, are available in an enormous number of |
| can overcome defects in apartment and house | | | | sizes styles and configurations. They can be used |
| design. Lamp, cocktail and sofa tables can be used | | | | for combination storage-tv on top, table linens in |
| for other purposes than just to put at the end of | | | | the drawers, or clothing if the armoire is in the |
| your sofa. Tables with drawer or shelf space are | | | | bedroom. |
| great. Night chests can be used as livingroom | | | | Moving beyond furniture, screens either |
| tables; they usually have more available storage. | | | | decorative or purchased from the home store, |
| File cabinets that are carved and decorated can | | | | will hide work spaces and storage. Architectural |
| be used for storage. Sofa tables can double as | | | | elements such as columns or bricks can be used |
| serving pieces for the dining area. A drop leaf or | | | | for display, as shelving and to hide 'uglies.' Plants, |
| gate leg table used as a sofa table gives you | | | | real or really good artificial plants, add interest and |
| dining table. Before buying a case piece, table or | | | | can be used to hide an awkward corner. If these |
| chest, try to think of how many ways you can | | | | are lit with some of the new halogen spots they |
| use it. If you can't think of at least two ways to | | | | make a really beautiful accent corner and brighten |
| use a piece of furniture, consider carefully before | | | | a room. |
| you buy it | | | | Choose lamps carefully. Stick to simple, classic |
| One word of advice: if you fall in love with a piece | | | | shapes and be creative with shades. They come |
| of furniture just because it is beautiful, buy it. | | | | in beautiful colors and styles. Don't under light. |
| Everything in your home doesn't have to be | | | | Visit the nearest large craft store. You can find |
| practical and a truly beautiful piece of furniture is | | | | small accent pieces of furniture and shelving there |
| something you will enjoy for years. Use it as a | | | | as well as picture frames and other decorative |
| focal point, light it and decorate it and don't worry | | | | elements which would be much more costly in a |
| if it doesn't have half a dozen uses. These pieces | | | | design or home store. |
| become your treasures and you will move them | | | | Think outside the normal boundaries and discover |
| form place to place and design rooms around | | | | new uses for all kinds of products such as |
| them. | | | | scarves, throws, pillows. You can have a |
| Seating can be flexible as well. Choose upholstered | | | | convenient and beautiful home at a reasonable |
| dining chairs which mix with your livingroom | | | | price and if you move on, pack everything up and |
| furniture. Extra chairs can be used in entries and | | | | reuse it in a new way in your new home. |
| bedrooms. This is where your carefully chosen | | | | Content ideas for this article provided by ON THE |
| color scheme will help you. The chair can be used | | | | GO 4 U Design Consultant, Suzanne Copenhaver. |
| for dining or extra livingroom seating and the color | | | | |