Select Furniture Like a Pro

If you're outfitting a space that's small or has awkward design features, custom-made furnishings may be the best option. Case in point: this elegant guest room. "The bed was designed for a room that had door locations that inhibited twin beds from being placed side by side as they typically are," explains designer Chandos Dodson Epley. "We went with the corner-style headboard to provide more floor space and a walkway in the bedroom. It also created a cozy nook for the clients' two young granddaughters."

When choosing upholstery for a beachfront house belonging to an active family, designers Betsy Burnham and Max Humphrey opted to upholster all the furniture in indoor-outdoor fabric. "Every piece is covered in Sunbrella fabric — even the pillows and the custom area rug underneath. Outdoor fabric was the perfect choice for this room, which is 'command central' for TV-watching and game playing." And, they note, "In terms of the furniture plan, sometimes it's dramatic to do fewer pieces and keep the scale of each large and bold; that's the case here. We selected the largest sectional we could fit in the space and made sure it was super deep and comfy. We paired it with a large upholstered ottoman, which serves double duty as a coffee table and a great place for everyone to kick up their feet."

For a project that called for a sleek luxurious look — on a tight budget — designer Shirley Meisels shopped carefully. "You can create a great look without going custom," says the designer, who turned to major retailers and online sources, choosing a bed, table and linens from West Elm, a rug from Dwell Studio, and a lamp from Restoration Hardware. Of course, designer know-how is what pulls it all together: "To create warmth in such a spare and simple setting it's important to add texture. That's where the fur rug and cushion come into play."

"Choosing furniture that's proportionate to the room and to each of the other furniture pieces in the space is very important for a successful design," say the designers of Laura U, Inc. "This is a very large room, the bed is custom and overscale, and the bedside chests are the perfect size for our colossal bed and generous room. A custom bed also means custom bedding. Ours is thoughtfully detailed with a Moroccan motif in a neutral tone as the embroidery with a complimentary arctic blue on the accent pillows."