When you begin to curate pieces you love for your home, whether you’re designing from the ground up, remodeling, or simply collecting for the future, we always recommend considering the longevity of the pieces you choose.

Knowing where to start making intentional purchases can be difficult, and no matter what your budget is, prioritizing which pieces you invest in is important.

Today, we’re sharing ten pieces our design team recommends investing in and how they can transform your space.

A quality sofa

Since the sofa is typically the most-used piece in a home, it’s always at the top of our priorities list. While a high-quality sofa’s aesthetic doesn’t vary a lot from the general appearance of one made with lower-quality materials, the difference in durability and comfort is significant.

When our design team worked with the product team at McGee & Co. to create a made-to-order upholstery collection, we wanted to make sure each element would visually and structurally wear well, and we’re really proud of the result.

Complete with down-wrapped cushions and hand-stitched fabrics, the collection is handcrafted in the United States by skilled artisans who have honed their craft. From kiln-dried oak frames to sinuous springs that wear evenly, each element is completely customizable to work for your space.

Intentional lighting

Lighting makes a big difference in a home, and whether it’s a statement-making chandelier or a sconce to highlight a vignette, designer-detailed pieces draw the eye in and elevate any room.

Quality lighting not only brings a thoughtful layer to your design, but it can completely change the ambiance of the room. Even if you live in a rental, switching out your lighting or adding accent layers through floor and table lamps makes a big difference in creating a space that feels custom.

Kitchen stools

Barstools and counter stools are often used for far more than just eating, and we don’t know about you, but we’ve been making a lot more memories with our elbows on the countertops this year. Stools transition as seating places from morning to night, from work to family game night, and it’s essential that they are durable and comfortable.

Elevated bath linens

Investing in quality bath accessories is one of those things that can seamlessly elevate your every day in a small but significant way. Whether it’s the perfectly weighted towel, a fresh bath mat, or a pretty shower curtain, you’ll never regret owning bath pieces you love.

Hand-made rugs

While investing in a rug may seem counter-intuitive, we’re here to argue that the right one can last longer than you’d think, foot traffic and all! We love using vintage rugs in our projects because their worn-in nature, depth, and pattern allow them to hide a lot of new wear-and-tear.

Most of the vintage rugs that have been around for up to hundreds of years and still look great are hand-woven and made from natural materials like wool. If you’re not into the idea of a vintage rug, the good news is, artisans are still making rugs with this level of intention today! There are many great rugs out there that are not hand-made, but when shopping for an investment rug, we recommend checking the details to see the material content and how the piece is created.

For more information on how rug quality varies, check out our Q&A with McGee & Co.’s Director of Product here.

A quality mirror

Although styles and trends for mirrors can change slightly over time, chances are, a quality mirror you might buy today looks pretty similar to one in the same shop five years ago. Plus, mirrors are such a fool-proof way to make a room feel bigger, fill an empty wall, or add a layer of intention to a vignette. In other words, you’ll always be able to find a place for a great mirror.

A sculptural vase

It may seem strange to invest in decor, but over the years of designing and styling homes and using vases in nearly every vignette, we feel confident in saying that a good one is worth adding to your collection.

Your dining table

There are certain pieces you really can keep for a lifetime if they are made well and chosen intentionally. In our opinion, dining tables are definitely in that category. We love the idea of bringing a dining table from home to home to grow with you and create memories around.

Cabinets and hutches

There are countless uses for cabinets and hutches, and we love the personality they bring to dining spaces, living spaces, or in-between spaces when styled with personal items, serveware, or baskets for storage.

Beds and headboards

The bed is another piece we use most often, and typically for the longest time. Whether it’s a classic upholstered piece or a more modern, wooden frame, the bed is typically the focal point in your bedroom, and in our opinion, worth the investment.