Furniture

For working, consider the desk and chair together, including office or gaming chairs; a marketing label does not establish comfort. For relaxing, distinguish between a sofa, an armchair and a bed: their footprints and uses differ. In a bedroom, the frame, bed base and mattress need separate checks even when a photograph presents them as one purchase.

Mark each item's external footprint and the additional room needed to open doors, pull out chairs or unfold a sofa bed. Include skirting boards, radiators and sockets in the layout. Check packaging dimensions and stairway turns: furniture that fits in the living room when assembled may still fail to pass through the entrance.

• Do not mistake internal storage measurements for overall dimensions.
• Ask which parts can actually be removed before relying on disassembly.

A closed cupboard hides its contents and reduces their exposure to dust, but needs opening space. Shelving provides quick access while leaving organisation on display. Drawers make items at the back easier to retrieve; a deep shelf may be wasted if reaching its contents means removing everything in front.

Solid wood, coated boards, metal and upholstery require different care. Examine finishes, joints, edges and declared load limits for the intended use. A delicate surface may suit a reading corner but be impractical where people eat or draw. Weight alone does not demonstrate strength either.

Read the instructions and fixing requirements. For furniture liable to tip, follow the specified anchoring system and seek qualified help if you do not know the wall construction. Consider removable covers, replacement parts and cleaning access underneath. Modular furniture only makes changes easier when modules, fittings and dimensions remain compatible; an arbitrary extension will not necessarily fit.