Making a house a home is something that some people think is worth spilling blood over. There have been several incidents in the last few years where a consumer stampede has caused deaths. Sales on home furnishings are often a major culprit for this type of frenzy due to the inherently costly nature of major items such as beds and settees. This guide will help you decide exactly which bits you should spend money on and where it is best to save a few pence on less expensive items.

Generally speaking, wherever you are going to be spending a lot of time, invest in comfortable and durable home furnishings. The most important item is a bed, or to be more precise a mattress. On average, we spend 60 hours a week in bed, which is nearly three solid days out of seven! A decent bed not only provides restful sleep, which helps maintain an alert state of mind, but it can prevent physical discomfort. It is advised that a mattress should suit a person's body weight, to provide adequate support to prevent stress on the spine.

Mattresses should also be turned regularly, about once a month, to prevent them becoming moulded to the body and replaced in full after around 25 years. Think of it as a major investment, and one that only needs to be made three times in your life. Another piece of furniture that has the potential to last most of your life is a suite. We all like to spend time relaxing, so invest in a good quality piece of furniture that will not date aesthetically. Avoid latest trends in cover design, or be prepared to spend extra on reupholstering later down the line.

When it comes to dining tables and chairs, breakfast bar stools, desks and office chairs, depending on where and how you spend your time should determine where you need to invest in good quality home furnishings. If you plan to throw a lot of dinner parties for example, a good quality table that will resist scratches, heat marks, and knocks along with solid chairs with comfortable seating.

Alternatively, if you work from home, it is essential to purchase a good quality office chair that will support the back. Make sure that each part of the chair is adjustable, so it can be made to fit the contours of your spine and neck. In fact, treat buying the right one as you would purchasing a bed, because when you are not in one, you will quite likely be in the other!

Dom Donaldson is a furnishings expert. Find out more about Home Furnishings and make your house a home by shopping online with Haven Direct

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