Is your furniture tacky or timeless: Interiors expert reveals the pieces that will always look chic
Choosing the right furniture for your house can be daunting (second only to choosing the right house in the first place).
It’s a major decision – not only does furniture tend to be a big investment financially, but it’s also something you’re going to look at and use every day. Having buyer’s regret when it comes to your new sofa or sideboard can haunt you for a long time.
One thing you definitely want to avoid is leaning too heavily into the current interiors trend, especially if what you end up buying as a result is not really you.
I know this from personal experience; much as I admire the minimalist homes full of soft, neutral tones I see on Instagram, in my heart of hearts I know bright colours and maximalism bring me more joy.
If you’re unsure, then focus your furniture choices on timeless pieces that you will love just as much in a decade’s time as you do now. This also helps you steer clear of anything tacky or quickly outdated.
Below, Declan Fe, co-founder of Castlery (which FYI makes the best sideboards and bedside tables I’ve ever had in my home), shares his tips for choosing furniture that you won’t regret.
Prioritise purpose over ‘the look’
If you prioritise functionality, your pieces won’t date. When furniture has a clear purpose and works hard for your needs, it transcends trends. Look for hardworking pieces that do double duty yet look beautiful.
If you tend to host friends, look for clever functionality like extendable dining tables or coffee tables with nested seating. If a piece solves a problem in your daily life, it will always have a place in your home, regardless of what’s ‘in’ this season. Hardworking furniture never goes out of style.
Choosing the right furniture for your house can be daunting (second only to choosing the right house in the first place)
Ignore your feed and avoid micro-trends
Choosing furniture that stands the test of time is about what you genuinely love, not the ‘next big thing’ on your feed.
Ask yourself: do I actually like this, or have I been bombarded by it on my social feed? Micro-trends are a fast track to a dated home. If you want to experiment, keep it to the ‘bits and bobs’ that are easy to swap out – cushions, wall prints or small decor.
Large, expensive items should be trend-immune so your home doesn’t end up feeling like a time capsule. This lets you refresh your home once you’ve tired of the trend without the price tag of a complete overhaul.
Ultimately, when your home reflects your our own needs and lived experiences, it becomes timeless in the best possible way: it’s simply you.
Let your lifestyle dictate your materials
Your home should work for you, not the other way around. If you’ve got slobbering dogs or kids prone to messes, let that messy reality dictate your choices. This is where performance fabrics and removable covers are game-changers.
Being able to strip a cover off for a wash, or even a colour refresh, means your high-quality frames can evolve with your tastes and your seasons of life without needing to be replaced.
It’s a major decision – not only does furniture tend to be a big investment financially, but it’s also something you’re going to look at and use every day
Performance fabrics add an extra layer of practicality without compromising on style.
Designed to resist stains, repel liquids, and withstand everyday wear, they make it much easier to maintain a fresh-looking sofa or bed even in high-traffic homes. These thoughtful choices ensure a piece transitions through all your different life chapters, from messy wine nights with the girls to the years of toddlers and pets.
Invest in modularity
Our lives aren’t static. You might be in a city flat now and a bigger house in three years. Modular designs are brilliant because they flex and grow as your floor plan changes.
This versatility keeps a piece from becoming redundant just because you’ve moved house or changed how you use a room, saving you money and keeping furniture out of the skip. Think of it as furniture that’s as flexible as your future.
Choose materials that age gracefully
Natural materials rarely go out of fashion. Solid timber, natural stones and leather are always great picks as they develop a beautiful patina over time and actually look better as they age.
A dining table made from natural materials feels just as right in a modern London flat as it does in a rustic cottage because its beauty is rooted in nature, not tied to a seasonal trend.
Timeless design doesn’t mean you have to avoid colour. I actually find green works brilliantly as a neutral. But if you’re unsure, stick to calming neutral tones for the big items.
Having buyer’s regret when it comes to your new sofa or sideboard can haunt you for a long time
Give them a little TLC
Finally, don’t just buy a piece and forget about it. Wear and tear is the biggest factor that makes a home look dated and tired.
Give your timber a little love with some orange oil and buff your leather with polish every now and then to keep it supple.
If you treat your pieces well, they’ll serve you for years and look intentional, not tired. A little maintenance goes a long way in keeping that ‘new home’ feeling fresh.
