A man needs a place where he can sit and think, read or nap. Look for a chair that's as handsome as it is comfortable—with sturdy arms and a little give in the seat. But don't rush the decision. "You can't tell if any chair is comfortable until you've occupied it for at least an hour," Charles Eames once said. Of course, you'll never regret investing in his signature lounge chair, whether it's brand new or vintage.
Eames lounge chair,
$5,295 at Design Within Reach
Whether you've got a separate dining room or simply a side of the living room to eat in, a dining table should be functional, durable and good-looking. After all, it's one of the foundations of any home. Obviously you need it to fit your space, but it should be sturdy enough to withstand daily wear. Akron Street's walnut Common Table is a handsome, but reliable workhorse that fits a slew of different home styles.
Walnut common table,
from $580 by Akron Street
There's something very luxurious and grown-up about a bathroom that is outfitted with soft white towels. It obviously takes some responsibility to keep them nice and clean. But they're a smart move because they work with any decor and it always looks inviting for guests. Onsen's oversize waffle weave not only provides superior absorbency and lets the towel dry off quickly, but it gives the towels a unique texture as well.
Waffle-weave cotton towel set,
$156 by Onsen
Don't feel bad about dropping serious money on a well made daybed. Most guys don't realize how versatile this eclectic piece is—a daybed is an item that will move with you from one place to the next and take on a new life in each new home. Use it in your seating arrangement in the living room. Place it at the end of a bed. Utilize it like a bench in an entryway or let it sub-in as a coffee table.
Beacon daybed,
$2,195 at Jayson Home
When it comes to coffee makers, you've got good looking ones and you've got ones that produce a good brew. This one does both. Technivorm, a Dutch company that's well known in coffee circles, has sold exceptionally good drip coffee makers for decades. Its signature Moccamaster machine sports a throwback design from 1968—the year the first Moccamaster hit stores. What's more, it consistently churns out perfect freshly brewed coffee that will satisfy any coffee connoisseur.
Moccamaster,
$309 by Technivorm
The rule for sofas should be that less is more. You want simplicity because it allows you to style your couch to suit your home—wherever it may be. By swapping out the accent pillows or throw blanket slung over the side, you can switch up the over all look. But if you've got a solid, comfortable base, you can probably get a decade out of a well made sofa. Article's Sven sofa features crisp lines and well-tailored tufted cushions, but you'll be inspired by the sofa's depth—which makes it incredibly comfy.
Sven sofa,
$999 by Article
Good art can stay with you for a lifetime, and each piece will mark a time and place in your life, along with a specific memory. Start collecting when you're young—not all art has to cost a fortune, but it definitely has to speak to you. And only you. It should be a piece that when someone comes over and admires it, you'll feel compelled to explain why you had to have it and where you were when you discovered it.
“Making a Mountain Out of a Mole Hill,”
$1,750 by Butch Anthony
You've spent good money on a quality mattress for ultimate comfort, right? Make sure you also invest in a proper bed (or at least a headboard) to ground the bed and anchor it as the room's focal point. Whether you go for a traditional, upholstered version or more of a streamlined, modern style with sharper lines is a matter of personal taste.
Hartley bed,
from $1,599 at Room & Board
Nothing can set the mood in your place quite like lighting. The more lamps, the better, we say. Use smaller lamps to create pockets of warmth evenly around the entire room. Use a floor lamp to illuminate the darker areas near your ceiling. And add task lighting, like a classic Luxo lamp (first designed in 1937), for dedicated illumination on a desk. This metal table lamp, inspired by a vintage Italian design, is a sharp option. The key is to strike the right balance between price, build quality and a design that won't look out of date in a few years.
Donna table lamp,
$399 by Schoolhouse
This is a piece that can live many lives in your home. Depending on the size, it can be a focal point in a smaller living room (with your media set up on top), it can work in an entry way or even as a nightstand or sideboard in a dining room. And, of course, it's built to be used as your bedroom dresser.
Wyeth 3-drawer dresser, $870 and the August 6-drawer dresser, $1,250, both at Burke Decor