Just as the centerpiece is the highlight if a dining room table so is the dining room furniture the centerpiece of the dining room. A table to sit and eat is a basic part of the function of this room and the key to designing any room is providing the basics or the “bones” of the space.

Basic to the dining room is a dining room table and a place to sit. Chairs are not necessarily the fill in as seating can be provided by benches and following a recent trend in the past couple of years, to add a sofa. A wonderful idea as this allows for several different things. First, people are spending more time at home and more time at home means modern sectional sofas accommodate larger groups of people in a more relaxed environment so the single sofa is not in as much demand. Why toss it? Use it as a comfortable, stylish alternative. It also can allow for more seating and it makes for a more interesting collection of dining room furniture.

Individual chairs are the traditional choice however, these do not need to be only  about function. Play with an oversized Baroque chair or an elegant rattan chair as part of the mix for an imaginative way to include high style.

Of course, the dining room table takes center stage and accordingly should be both striking as well as practical. Look for pieces that can be adjusted for flexible uses, being able to be expanded or contracted as needed. Some modern furniture designers have found clever and amusing ways to include leaves that no longer require lugging them out from the closet when extra guests arrive.

Styling runs such a wide gamut. Minimalist modern styled tables are elegant and refined immensely suitable for New York loft living. Scandinavian wood dining room tables exude warmth and invite family and friends to stay and share. All glass tables can lighten the feel of bulk in a dining room. Unless you happen to have a larger sized dining room not usually found in urban spaces like New York and Los Angeles, this can be a great visual trick as well as a surface that is particularly easy to take care of.  A rattan dining room table would seem right at home in Miami where tropical living is king. Whichever you choose, your modern dining room furniture will take its proper place as the centerpiece of the dining room.

With a room named the “living” room it does not seem surprising that we gravitate to this space as the center of the house. While the kitchen may be the heart of the house our “fun” stuff happens in our living rooms. This being the case, let’s take a look at what this means when we are busy decorating for such a multi-purpose room.

The many activities that can and do happen in this space requires some thoughtful pre-planning to insure that we buy modern furniture pieces that will easily fulfill a varied and an ever changing list of requirements.

For example, one of the things that probably pops into our minds first as something that usually happens in the living room is watching television. Whether it is to watch a show, put on a movie or play a video game, electronics is a part of our everyday lives. Modern wall units and television stands provide stylish solutions along with practical storage. A sleek modern television stand creates a nice design statement with a minimal of fuss and hides wires and other not so attractive cords. The days of heavy looking wood stands are gone replaced by Zen inspired black finishes with glass doors or Italian white lacquer that shimmers and brightens any room it is in.

Adding a modern sectional sofa is such a great piece of furniture because it allows you change furniture around anyway you like. Comfortable and available in a myriad of materials and finishes it is definitely the place to be when hanging out in the living room. Include some contemporary arm chairs for comfy, embracing resting spots.

No living room would be complete without a splash of color and texture on the floor. A hardwood or polished cement floor is easy to maintain but can be a bit cool on the feet. Finding a modern floor rug is the bold statement that provides for both soft padding underfoot as well as a great tie-in for the entire room. An ultra modern design would be just perfect.

Lighting is an important element in this room as well. Including light fixtures that can be adjusted is what is needed for both ambiance and for reading. Following the same tenets as modern furniture design, it must be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. This is also an easy way to bring in additional color with trendy, hip light fixtures that keep a living room livable.

Contemporary furniture, we consider it to be today’s trendiest, hottest design coming from young designer’s eager to make their mark in the modern furniture world. The real finds are buying the up and coming pieces from these designer’s lines before any one really knows about them. If you are an avid fan of modern furniture design there are a number of sources to stay abreast of what is going on.

Visit a modern furniture showroom. Cities like New York, Los Angeles and Miami are known for their attraction of design talent and a great place to ask questions and perhaps even meet a few aspiring designers on the way up. Another way is to get online and search for modern furniture or contemporary furniture. Enough information will pop up to keep you engaged for awhile.

Look for magazines that specialize in modern interior design. Look to see if those same magazines have online profiles that include being able to read the magazine online and subscribing to a newsletter that keeps timely and up-to-date news at your fingertips.

Local art schools are another great place to keep up with the latest design trends in modern furniture. Even architecture schools will sometimes hold charettes that revolve around designing a prototype for a chair or a table. Following local art shows can also feature modern designer pieces. The difference here between contemporary and luxury modern living room furniture shouldn’t be quality but rather the reputation of the designer.

Interior designers usually buy straight from the companies that produce the furniture designer’s lines. They are looking to fulfill the desires of the client as well as showcase well known names. It increases their marketability as well. This is when we usually think of luxury furniture which is  usually translated as expensive furniture. While you were in the modern furniture showroom you should take the time to notice that there are great contemporary pieces of modern furniture that are affordable, well made and brings in the high style of today into your living room.

Luxury room furniture should only feel and look that way. With the proper selection and a good knowledge base of modern furniture, creating a look of luxury should not break the bank. Follow the cues of interior designers as they mix and match pieces to create a certain visual effect.

Tip: One of the easiest is through large and elegant mirrors strategically placed within a space. It creates a sense of openness, enhances light refraction and makes a room appears to be larger than it is; space is always a luxury.

If you were to ask most people what first jumps to their mind when they are asked to think about what should be in a living room it would be a sofa. Clearly creatures of being comfortable, we immediately imagine being able to stretch out and relax engaged in some favorite activity. Quick nap anyone?

Since being comfortable is important, finding the right sofa is equally as important. Modern furniture provides some great choices when selecting a sofa. It can be a two or three person seater just right for curling up or sharing. Another great choice is the modern sectional sofa. With its unique flexibility allowing for grouping and re-grouping, it can provide seating for just about any size group for just about any occasion. It can also easily be expanded adding pieces as needed.

So with these different options, what makes a great modern sofa? Obviously, comfort is probably first on the list. Quality modern sofas will have handcrafted detailing and construction joinery. Well made sofas should last a long time if not a lifetime. Being able to be passed down as a heirloom is the sign of a desirable sofa. While shopping for a sofa, be sure to look at the places where different materials are joined together. They should be solid and secure. Frames should be of solid wood or strong metal that resists bending. The material as well should be finishes that will wear well. While fabric can be colorful leather actually wears better and longer, about three times that of fabric. It can also withstand constant use especially if kids and animals are in the household. Cleaning up spills right away and keeping animals claws from digging into the furniture are the two concerns. Animals will learn to scratch someplace else just be sure to provide other opportunities.

The sofa can also really add to the style of a room. A Zen modern sofa adds a touch of understated refinement with a relaxed, easy to live with feeling. An Italian modern sofa can be an instant conversation piece that provides for a dramatic focal point as well as a favorite gathering spot. Some sofas are pure minimalist modern in styling providing a trendy, hip piece that packs a solid single design “wow”. That single asymmetrical curve that caught your eye at the modern furniture showroom sets the stage in your living room for more great modern design.

Designing your bedroom should take more of your time – after all, this is the room reserved as a sanctuary, one free from clutter; an environment promoting a peaceful place to rest.  All too often, the bedroom becomes another room to put “stuff” and soon becomes the rumpus room.

Avoid that by planning out your room to include only the pieces that are necessary.  Of course, as the bed will be the largest piece of furniture, decide which wall the bed will be placed on.  Measure the wall, noting this as well as the other measurements of the rest of the room’s walls as well as any other furniture you already have which you’d planned on using.  You’ll want these notes handy when you shop.  This task will be a helpful guide and tool as you plan for the furniture you’ll need as well as dismissing unnecessary pieces.

What kind of furniture are you looking for?  Have you decided on a theme for the room – romantic, modern, classic or country?  The size of the room is a factor:  a small room would appear cluttered with a queen or king-sized four-poster and matching armoire, while a spacious room can accommodate the larger pieces.  You should expect that your bedroom furniture will be with you for 5-10 years, so consider this an investment and choose furniture which will endure.

Are you choosing wrought iron, pine or other wood?  While eclectic can be a fun way to decorate, be careful in your mix:  light pine does not pair easily with glossy lacquer.

In addition to your bed, remember there are other pieces which will be included in the mix:  night tables, a dresser or set of drawers, a desk, a television, seating of some type.  If closets are few, consider a platform bed with storage drawers beneath.  A bed with storage cabinets attached on either side, eliminates the need for night tables, and the headboard in between offers a shelf, mirror, recessed lights and compartments for storage of small items such as books.