Home furnishings are what makes up the décor of your home and do perhaps more than any other element to highlight spaces and create themes and moods.  Home furnishings include both soft and hard furnishings.

Soft Furnishings

Soft furnishings are the decorative elements rather than the actual pieces of furniture themselves and include things such as:

• cushions
  
• beddings
  
• rugs and throw rugs
  
• curtains
  
• table settings
  
• towels and bathmats
  
• chair covers
  
• ottomans
  
• candles

Hard Furnishings

Hard furnishings are the actual pieces of furniture themselves, items such as:

• couches
  
• arm chairs
  
• beds/bedroom suites
  
• dining suites
  
• entertainment units
  
• bookshelves
  
• office furniture
  
• shelving and storage

Choosing Your Furnishings

When choosing hard or soft furnishings, there is a massive range of materials to choose from including, but certainly not limited to, leather, suede, microfibre, tapestry, silk, cotton, lace, and satin. 

Buying furniture can involve a significant outlay so it is important to take the time to choose furniture that will last, and that will suit your requirements for a time to come.  Speaking to a professional such as an interior decorator can really help you to navigate the huge range of options that is available on the market.  However, there is something to suit every budget and you don’t need to spend a fortune to create a stylish home.

One option when buying furniture is to buy classic pieces with clean lines.  These stay in vogue for a long time and can be easily updated through the use of soft furnishings and accessories, enabling you to create different looks.  You could also choose to indulge in pieces that perfectly suit your personal taste, whether it is ornate or modest.  Buying statement pieces can also create a real feature in a room.  Just be careful not to group too many statement pieces together in a given area, as you then run the risk of creating a “hodge-podge” feel.

When buying hard or soft furnishings, you have the option of going to “one stop shops” such as Harvey Norman or Domayne, department stores such as Myer, or any one of the smaller stores that tend to specialize, meaning that you can find the exact thing that you want.  You might even be able to find a one-off piece that you know that no-one else will have! 

Most places have a delivery services for larger items, so it is worth checking this out when you are purchasing your item.  Some places have delivery included in the price while others will charge a nominal fee.