Think of how much furniture you need. What's the best way to have it be functional in a great way? If it's in groups, define it.

To have a 9-foot sofa in a small room can be kind of treacherous.

Make sure furniture decor has similar scale. It's all about scale, proportion, measuring, being conscious of the overall plan.

Avoid spending too much on one thing.

People buy very badly made furniture and fabric. Instead, buy a beautiful dining table, well-made upholstery. It's almost like dressing for success.

People get trapped in the way things should feel and less focused on the way things should function.

To be influenced by a magazine and, say, a Swedish theme, unless it resonates with you, it seems kind of odd and influenced.