activeteacher is offline activeteacher Post #1  June 12,2010, 9:17am
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I've grown and matured so much over the past 2 years it is not even funny. I've gotten to where I recognize many of my 'issues' and having been growing to enjoy life again. With the new job by Indianapolis, I am trying to make a better start for myself.

While making friends is very difficult for me, I have been learning how to do so. When I went living space hunting, I wanted a place that was safe, quiet, and reasonably priced. Got a great apartment with lots of potential. A place I will be comfortable inviting people over to.

I am not one who has typically concerned himself with what others think. Yet I've grown to realize that women DO (as do most guys) and I've typically lived like a grad student. At 39 with a full time job, this is not acceptable anymore. I am much more into comfort and functionality vs appearance. As I look for new furniture (I sold everything when I left California), I find myself wondering "Will people go laughing out of my place when they see this?"

My question is What do us folks who lack any sense of style do for help? I really don't have any friends (esp female friends) to ask for advice.

Seriously -- I did not have a couch in my last place. When my bf and his gf told me I needed one, I could not figure out why. Had to ask. Seriously.

I need a couch and am looking at a futon which can double as a guest bed. is that acceptable? Which is better -- metal or wood frame?

I also need an eating area. I have a cheap pine table I can use for now. Until I find something better -- ideally I'd like to build my kitchen table. Something similar to what my brother-in-law did.

The same for the bedframe. Put the mattress on something until I can build the bedframe I really want?

Thanks

BTW, I know NOT to get giant floral or camouflage patterns.
 
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D_Lion is online now D_Lion Post #2  June 12,2010, 9:30am
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One thing that matters a lot in furniture is not to bother with cheap junk.

Low end furniture is generally made from particle board or chip board (really, nothing more than a fancy kind of paper.)

I would select furniture of sufficient quality, materials, and craftsmanship to last a lifetime. Unfortunately, this generally costs more (often, a lot more); the good news is, you won't have to replace it.

I personally do not like sofas which can become a bed, since they are not comfortable in either application.

One way to get home ideas is to pick up a magazine, such as Arcitectural Digest, that attracts a lot of advertisers.
 
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PY_2 is offline PY_2 Post #3  June 12,2010, 9:35am

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Don't go with metal mattress frame..it's heavy and it squeaks

(so I've heard )
 
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Irishlass68 is offline Irishlass68 Post #4  June 12,2010, 9:44am
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Go to Ikea. They have really cool functional stuff there at great prices. As for the futon. I'd go for wood. Stick with primary colors. A few Ansel Adams photos on the wall and you can't go wrong.
 
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newbie40something is offline newbie40something Post #5  June 12,2010, 10:00am
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If you choose the futon, go with a wood frame. Metal frames tend to look cheap. Once you choose your sofa, whichever it may be, find a nice area rug. One that has a mixture of colors. You can then pick some of the colors out of the rug and use them to accessorize by way of pillows, throws, paintings, etc.

Black and white framed photos are good. A wall of lined mirrors can also make a nice look as well as open your space.

Don't do too much clutter.

Also, a great way to get good deals is to check your paper for Estate Sales. Usually, these, as opposed to garage sales, you can find some really nice pieces at good prices. I have also been to sales held by building contractors that sell pieces out of display homes.

Like DL said, picking up magazines is a good idea. You can just flip through them and get ideas on what style fits you, including colors.
 
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Sassafras54 is offline Sassafras54 — Advice Official Moderator Post #6  June 12,2010, 10:17am
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There was a story on This American Life (NPR show) about a guy who spent 20 years with no couch because he was searching for the perfect one. It became an obsession ... he learned everything there is to know about couches, was an expert ... and just couldn't pick one! (His gf pointed out to him he tended to do that with women too. lol)

But I digress. Are you willing to put a little time into this? Go to furniture stores -- not super trendy ones, not low-end, and walk around, sit on stuff, look at it. Notice what appeals to you. As long as you have temporary stuff to use, don't be in too much hurry to buy stuff; you'll end up regretting a lot of it. The best-looking homes are the ones that reflect their owner's taste. IMO.

If it's not that interesting to you, then look at some magazines, and then go to a reasonable store and ask the sales staff to help you pick.

I agree with the Frog ... if you can afford it, avoid cheaper furniture. It doesn't last very long and you have to start over again.

Futons: I've had several. You have to keep replacing the mattress; they get compacted and very hard. I liked the concept of them but in reality they did not work well and I wouldn't buy another one.

Get a great mattress. What it goes on is less important.

Could be a fun project for you!
 
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superbeetle is offline superbeetle Post #7  June 12,2010, 10:44am
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Where around Indy are you living? After California, this place should be pleasantly cheap!

As far as your place, the most important thing is to make it comfortable for yourself and your guests. A comfy couch (I wouldn't go with a futon - not comfortable!), a cozy chair and a few lamps and tables are really all you need in a living room. If you want to do more than that to make yourself happy, go right ahead.

Personally, I love interior design, so I'd rather date a guy with no style than one with taste that I detest!
 
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VB_Girl is offline VB_Girl Post #8  June 12,2010, 11:00am
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Most nice furniture stores have interior decorators who will come to your house and help you decide if a piece will fit or what will work with your lifestyle. The cost of this is usually deducted when you purchase furniture. If you go around a holiday, you will find most things on sale.

I have a sofabed and don't find it uncomfortable as a couch at all. I think of futons as college furniture and wouldn't want to see it in the home of a 39 year old man.

When choosing furniture, pick one piece in a solid fabric and a second in a pattern (if there is a third piece that is upholstered, pick another pattern that is either larger or smaller than the other patterned piece or maybe tone on tone).

For your eating area, maybe some comfortable chairs since you already have a table.

Finally for the bed frame. Most mattress sets (mattress & box spring) come with a free metal frame which is fine. If you are talking about the headboard/footboard, find a cheap headboard until you can get yours made. It makes the bedroom look more finished.

If you look in 2nd hand stores for the chairs and headboard, you can potentially find things very affordably. Good luck.
 
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annother is offline annother Post #9  June 12,2010, 11:00am
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Most of the people who work in furniture stores have a good eye for interior design. They will love being asked for advice.

Also, all stores now have small room arrangements, so you can see what things go well together. Usually the choice of wood is consistent throughout. After that the choices of colour are limited to two, plus a white or beige.

I agree that a good area rug makes a big difference. Also, one or two large accent pieces (pictures, vases, etc.) can bring it all together.

I also vote against the Futon. When I visit my children, that is the guest bed. I now stay in hotels for that reason.
 
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MelinCali is offline MelinCali Post #10  June 12,2010, 8:19pm
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VB_Girl wrote :
I have a sofabed and don't find it uncomfortable as a couch at all. I think of futons as college furniture and wouldn't want to see it in the home of a 39 year old man.
I totally agree with VB_Girl here. If you want to stop living like a grad student, don't buy a futon for your living room. That is the trademark sofa of a grad student. They are uncomfortable as a sofa and as a bed.

I have just ordered a sofa bed myself that I am waiting delivery on after not having a sofa since I moved to California and sold my futon. I am trying to furnish my home with grown up furniture now that I have a grown-up job -- I'm tired of living liking a grad student. A sofabed will at least be comfortable for sitting on in front of the TV. I won't have guests sleeping on it often, as it can have some extra cushioning added with a memory foam topper.
 
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