5 simple tips from Shea McGee on how to expertly choose furniture

Picking rugs and furniture was how I originally fell in love with design, and it is still the most enjoyable part of the experience for me. My role at Studio McGee reaches beyond selections and now encompasses the design direction and creation of our own line of furniture for McGee & Co. 

The depth of a living room sofa or the shape of a leg – it is fascinating to me how the subtleties of furniture influence the style of an entire room. I also find influence in the organic and ever-evolving nature of furniture. If your furniture feels stale after a few years, making a few simple swaps can have an enormous impact without a complete overhaul. 

Unlike tile or countertops, furniture is flexible – have an open mind to rearranging or rotating items within or between rooms. Preparation and planning will help you avoid expensive mistakes and feel confident in your investments. Here are five tips when it comes to the living room furniture phase of the design process. 

5 tips on how to choose furniture 

1. Start with a jumping off point

Some designers begin with the rugs and others with artwork. There is no right or wrong answer. The most important thing is that you start with what inspires you and you go from there. 

Shea McGee

Shea McGee is an interior designer and founder of Studio McGee. The studio was launched in 2014 after remodelling her own home and offering advice on social media. Now Shea has a successful Netflix series, Dream Home Makeover, and have just published her debut design book The Art of Home. 

2. Measure twice and buy once

There are many tools to draw your furniture layout to scale. (Graph paper works well too). Place larger pieces first and then fill in with accents like lamps and side tables. I like to draw out the plan and then tape it on the floor using painter's tape. This allows you to "walk" around the furniture and see how it feels in the actual space. 

3. Mix and match

Go beyond furniture sets and create furniture pairings with a balanced approach. Keep in mind that opposites attract – pair a sleek lamp with a traditional chair or vintage accent table with a new sofa. 

4. Scale is just as important as style

Weave together a story of both large and small selections. Scale is about the relationship between pieces and the space as a whole. Juxtaposing sizes creates a visual impact and allows the eye to move through the room.

5. Good things take time

Quality furniture takes time to make, and finding the perfect antique piece does not happen overnight. Create a plan but allow for pivots along the way. In the end, the changes often end up being my favorite part of the design. The best rooms unfold over time – even for professionals.

Book extract from Art of Home: A Designer Guide to Creating an Elevated Yet Approachable Home, Shea McGee.