Remembering why you love pieces of furniture (Affiliate Link) helps determine what you can donate or give away and what you want to keep for when you want to downsize. Today, I will share what I remember about my favorite furniture (Affiliate Link). Also, I will share questions you can ask yourself if you do not know your favorite furniture (Affiliate Link). Read along and learn about my favorite pieces of furniture (Affiliate Link) and what I remember about them.
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Let me not make you wait any longer; my favorite piece of furniture (Affiliate Link) is my dining room table. Just after the holidays, I sat at my dining room table eating breakfast, reflecting on the wonderful memories this table and chairs experienced over many years.
My Older Dining Room Table
When my husband and I married, we saved for this table and purchased a small Broyhill piece when we bought our new home. It was a lovely piece that matched the entertainment center, coffee table (Affiliate Link), and end tables. Back then, matching furniture (Affiliate Link) pieces was a trend.
This table was lovely, used, and cared for until 2007, and it did a lot for only a six-seated table with two folding tables to accompany extra guests. These tables ended up spanning both the living room and the dining room. It was wonderfully cozy and inviting.
I remember sitting around the table doing crafts and painting with the kids when they were little. We host many themed birthdays, christenings, grandparents birthdays, death in the family gatherings, relatives from abroad visiting events, and holidays.
This was also a table where we celebrated a 10th-anniversary party with all the members of our bridal party and a miniature version of our wedding cake. In addition to our daily dinners with the family, there were so many treasured memories. I am so grateful for that oval dining room table.
Then, in 2007, we decided it was time for a larger table. We ended up passing this one forward to a family member, and she enjoyed it for many years.
My Newer Dining Room Table
Reflecting on the newer shaker-style dining room table, we purchased a locally designed piece with a matching buffet for storage. The table was specially designed with the leaves built in. We went from only six people to a whopping 10-12 people. Yay! Since our family has grown with extended family and spouses, it has been an enormous help.
Sitting at this table, I remember all the unique kids' activities. A spot where my daughter wrote on paper so hard that her signature is now embedded into the table. There is a paint spot where she was painting that will not come off. A space where my son and I decided to try our hand at watercolor art. A place where my mother-in-law would sit while we were making holiday cookies. And I have many special memories of each person sharing what they are thankful for on Thanksgiving.
This dining room table witnessed many happy moments, come-together moments, some sad ones, and some happy ones. Spending a few minutes writing down these essential memories helped me realize what I treasure.
Now, it is your turn.
To help you determine what you treasure in your home. I created a list of questions you can ask yourself to determine which furniture (Affiliate Link) is your favorite.
How to find your favorite piece of furniture in your home?
Ask yourself these questions to determine your favorite piece of furniture (Affiliate Link) in your home.
- Is there an item in your home you use often? Every day, once a week, etc…
- Is it the first item you to keep neat so you can use it regularly?
- Is it an item you buy things to display on it?
- Do you have a heartwarming feeling when you think of this piece of furniture (Affiliate Link)?
- Is the item something you do not want to part with even though it looks shabby?
Feel free to check out the 26-day favorite things challenge, which you can easily do this challenge any time during the year to remind yourself of your favorite pieces in your home.
26 Days of Your Favorite Things Challenge
While thinking about November, one word comes to mind—gratitude—being grateful for the things we have and the family and friends around us. Since gratitude challenges are common and can be found anywhere, I decided to add a twist to this Your Favorite Things Challenge. You are probably asking, "Why should I do this?" Well, the
It's important to share your favorite furniture (Affiliate Link) with family so they know which item is your favorite. They may or may not keep it, but if they know, there is no guessing after you have passed. This item will be treasured, and if they decide not to keep it, they will find a worthy person to take it.
I hope this post inspires you to find your favorite furniture (Affiliate Link) piece in your home. And, may you take care of it so it lasts a very long time.
Looking for accountability when you're organizing projects? Visit my Virtual Organizing Consultations, where I support you and keep you on track to complete your goal.
Janet Schiesl says
What a great idea for a post. It's timely for me, in that we are starting downsizing for hopefully a future move.
Some of my favorite furniture pieces are:
My dining table. We don't sit at it often, but I still love it and would like for it to become our everyday table when we move.
We have an old sewing machine table from my MiL that I'd love to find a use for in our new place. It's small enough that I think we can find room for it. It has extra meaning because my husband's grandfather worked for Singer. Maybe I'll use it as a nightstand and end table in the future.
Sabrina Quairoli says
That is wonderful! Good luck downsizing. This is a great practice to see what you actually want to take with you.
Julie Bestry says
What a sweet post. I love that you have pieces with such vivid memories.
I live a bit like a college student in that I don't have much in the way of "grownup" (matching) furniture like in the house where I grew up. My dresser is third-hand. A lot of my storage shelves come from Target. Instead of a couch, I have a Pier One papasan chair from about a million hears ago, and my dining table-turned-office desk is the only "big" piece of furniture I ever bought. What do I love? A dinky shiplap-esque desk my mother painted/finished for my sister in the late 1950s. My sister used it as a desk when she was little and a vanity when she was in high school. 15 years later, I took it to grad school and it was the only piece that was mine in an otherwise furnished room in a house full of my follow department-mates. And for the past 30+ years, it's served as storage and as a bedroom display table. It's not particularly pretty, but knowing my mom made it and that both my sister and I used it makes it special. Some day, either when I get "real" grownup furniture or when I leave the planet, it'll make a nice school desk for a kid, completing the circle of life.
Thanks for sharing your story and making me think of my own.
Sabrina Quairoli says
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Julie. Items we love do not need to be perfect - in fact they usually look well loved with digs and other marks - it does not take away from our love for them. In fact the imperfections show the memories.
Julie Stobbe says
What an interesting topic. It is a good exercise because some of my clients have furniture they don't need and it is stored away or in the way. This could help them to let go of some unused furniture. My favourite piece of furniture is an upright bookcase with a door that folds down to a writing surface. It was first used by my mom as a change table and dresser for my sister. I used it in my room at college as a desk and now it is in my home as a bookcase. Some people might refinish it but I like the look because it reminds me how old it is and how many jobs it has done over 80 years.
Sabrina Quairoli says
That is wonderful, Julie. When we stop and are aware of our surroundings, it makes it easier for us to let go of things that are not as important.
Linda Samuels says
What wonderful memories your dining room tables hold. And how great the leaves are built into the table. That's a great feature. It makes sense how your table is your favorite piece of furniture. It sounds like it's the hub of your home, which you use for projects, gatherings, and great conversations.
It's funny because, in terms of style, I don't love our dining room table. However, it's incredibly functional and has a lot of history, so I appreciate those aspects. It belonged to my husband's grandmother, and we were gifted it when she passed away decades ago.
The table has many leaves and expands to seat 14 people. Other favorite pieces of furniture were also passed down. We have several modern mid-century chairs, side table, and large mirror from our parents. While our folks no longer here, I love having these pieces to remind me of them.
Sabrina Quairoli says
It is wonderful that you have hand-me-downs. I have a few from my parents. While they are not in great shape, I have been upcycling them (painting them or repairing them) so that maybe the kids will want them in the future.
Seana Turner says
This is an interesting topic!
I really don't have much sentimental furniture. One old sewing cabinet, a gate leg table, and a cedar chest. That's about all of what I own that is "legacy." I do have a few pieces I've purchased and like, but I don't really care what happens to them when I'm gone. If someone wants them, fine with me. Or donate them.
Most of my furniture has been through the 'wear and tear' of use, but I know others have some very special pieces. Good to think about this both for current pleasure and future planning!
Sabrina Quairoli says
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Seana! I totally agree. If one is very sentimental, thinking about this and identifying a hand full of things that they treasure and informing family members, will go very far in helping the loved ones after they are gone.