New furniture - what is worth spending the money on?

[Champagneforeveryone]

Currently we are holed up in a winter let while we look to buy and move in the new year. The bulk of our (mid range IKEA) furniture is in storage and we were talking about what we will look to replace when the time is right.

Previously we've had a bit of a throwaway attitude to our cheap furniture, however I will be hurtling towards 45 once we make the move and am thinking that it's now the right time to be buying things that will last. We have no young DC and DGC are a long way off, so no particular requirement for things to be child friendly.

For example, I've always fancied a solid farmhouse type dining table and I imagine if I was to buy sensibly then it could outlive me if it was looked after.

Sofas and mattresses will inevitably need replacing no matter how well made or expensive they are, but what else could I realistically be looking at "investing" in?

a nice sturdy oak bed! Definitely the big farmhouse table

Do you have any alcoves? If so, it can be worth investing in built in cupboards and shelving.

Sturdy or simply nice coffee tables that are to your taste can be worth investing in, as they're generally used loads.

A lovely chair for your bedroom if your bedroom is big enough?

Perhaps not quite what you asked for, but you might want to think about other stuff as well. E.g. I love my Anglepoise lamps, which have good guarantees. And artwork that really speaks to you, professionally framed.

For anything that's not a soft furnishing, or upholstered, think about buying second hand. Older furniture is frequently far better-made than anything newer, and it comes with a history. A lot of it is far more beautiful than new, too.

I think all furniture including beds/mattresses and sofas.

Thanks

During this move I rescued our 4 rather tired dining chairs that were destined for the furniture reclaim shop. They definitely need re-covering and I would like to sand and paint them when the weathers slightly warmer. They were what really got me thinking as both DH and I were of the opinion that we would just replace them, which environmentally is a horrendous attitude

DH has cheerfully pointed out that this could be the last dining table I ever buy, so now I feel ancient

Definitely start hanging out on Facebook marketplace. So many good quality pieces on there. Far better quality than you’ll find most new things are.

Agree that sofas are another good one, although I tend to think people generally spend what they can afford on those, perhaps more so than other furniture.

I'm supremely indifferent to sofas as generally prefer to sit at the table. Over the years I've had to concede that not everyone is so keen, but I still struggle to get enthused by the act of purchasing a sofa.

Now dining tables on the other hand

Bed and sofas for me. It's where I spend most of my time and when good quality they last long enough to justify the expense.

Everything else invested in is aesthetic rather than "need" in my opinion.

The fact you're indifferent to sofas says to me you've not bought the right one

I would definitely want the kitchen table secondhand, so someone else has given it that worn in look!

We’re currently redecorating and have had to put furniture and pictures away. Whenever a room is finished and we can bring them out again I feel real joy as so many items that I love.

The most loved pieces are our four poster bed, our dining table and a huge mirror that usually lives on our landing. There are also pictures that we have bought from our travels that have sentimental value.

My advice would be to visit furniture shops, antiques stores and galleries whenever you get the opportunity and slowly collect pieces you love. You have furniture to make do so no need to rush.

That's exactly it karma, the temptation is to buy new straight away for the new house. I'm determined to make do initially until I can buy decent stuff.

We don't have a dining table so that will be the first thing we buy. There's actually one of those curiosity shop places near us full of old bookcases and upcycled tat that might be good for a mooch.