How to Design Chairs & Tables

Tables and chairs together add warm gathering places throughout a home. An individual table or chair used for accent adds a special touch as well. An upholstered chair in a bedroom makes a great relaxation spot before bedtime. A corner accent table in the corner of a dining room can hold your favorite books or CDs until you put them away. The materials of these furnishings can make a room look very upscale and inviting. Detailed planning is necessary, so you can be on the lookout for where to purchase chairs and tables you want for certain places. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Figure out specific areas for sitting or dining. Sketch your home to include a small eating table on one end of the kitchen, bar stools along a counter dividing the kitchen and dining room, and various chairs and tables throughout the house. Add a small table in a large master bathroom to hold towels or use a couple of upholstered chairs in a hallway, for example.

2

Look at furniture options and materials on the market. Visit furniture stores to review dining room furniture, upholstered chairs, stools, and various accent tables. Make notes about special materials you like, such as plush upholstery fabrics, brocade cloth on dining room chairs and wooden tables with drawers for use in bedrooms or hallways. Keep in mind that any home looks more polished and upscale with a variety of high-quality fabrics, woods and glass materials used throughout, so plan accordingly.

3

Plan a budget to cover all tables and chairs needed. Create the plan in detail, so you can be on the lookout for what you want over time. Shop wisely to get high-quality materials. Buy heavy-duty unfinished wooden bar stools that you can paint, as one option. Plan some creative techniques to create exactly what you desire. Buy a small table at a close-out sale that will hold a large round glass top with a beveled edge you find at a consignment store, for example.

4

Measure the height and dimensions for each space in your home. Don't begin to purchase any items until you are certain about the dimensions needed. Figure out the exact height for two bedside tables, for instance. Measure the exact height for the sitting space needed on bar stools, or you may bring home stools that don't quite fit.

5

Begin the search for items you want to buy. Tell your friends to be on the lookout for sales or consignment store chairs or tables that are in excellent condition. Find fabric swatches or drawings of what you're looking for, so you can keep them nearby when you're out shopping. Select universally appealing colors in high-end materials as a rule of thumb.