Furnish your first place by investing in one or more ‘forever’ pieces

WASHINGTON — When furnishing your first apartment, there can be an overwhelming urge to rush out to the nearest chain store and blow your budget outfitting the entire place.

Resist that temptation.

As difficult as it may be, pace yourself. Spending more time and more money on fewer items now will pay off later.

“Instead of using your budget on items that will fall apart, invest in quality items that you can use for many years to come,” designer Marika Meyer says.

“It’s good to think of how you can use [something] now and how you can use it later,” says Amy Rutherford, owner of Red Barn Mercantile. “You want the piece to grow with you, so it needs to be timeless and multipurpose.”

Before buying, ask yourself: Do I love it? Will I still love it five years from now? Is it well-constructed? Is it too trendy? Is it versatile?

Keep in mind that it’s not necessary to buy your “forever” furniture right away or all at once. The following list is meant to be used as a guide as you plot your course. When it comes to buying furniture, spending your time and money slowly and surely is the key to long-term success.

There are many deals to be had if you shop around, keep your eyes peeled and know what you’re looking for.

Scour yard sales, estate sales, flea markets, antiques shops and auctions for basics and one-of-a-kind treasures, designer Raji Radhakrishnan says.

“Go to a few and just look, don’t buy. … Get a feel for what you like, what things cost, what they are called, then hit the markets with whatever cash you have.”

And remember to keep your individual style in mind. The furniture and accessories that showcase your personality are what make your home shine.

Here, designers give us their picks for the best investment pieces.

1. Sofa#147;You#146;re going to use it forever, so buy something good with really durable fabric,#148; designer Erin Pitts says. #147;Just don#146;t get it in a print.#148;

A plain, neutral fabric may seem boring now, but you#146;ll be happy with the choice later as your tastes and color preferences change. Swapping pillows or wall color is easier and less expensive than having a sofa reupholstered or buying a new one. Even if a small-scale sofa is all you have room for right now, resist the urge to skimp on quality. Something small can be a comfortable companion in a guest room or office space when you upgrade to a larger space.

Tip: Spend a little more for stain-resistant fabric.

2 and 3. Chest of drawers#147;A chest of drawers is such a universal piece of furniture,#148; Shazalynn Cavin-Winfrey says. It can be an entry hall table, anchor a living room or double as a wet bar and is an excellent bedside table or place to rest a TV, she says. It can also be moved into a closet for extra storage. #147;Mine has housed clothing to dining room linens and now holds boxes of Legos.#148;

A smaller-scale bachelor#146;s chest is also versatile and more portable, designer Annie Elliot says: It can go in a smaller front hallway with a lamp and a tray for mail on top, in a living room flanked by two chairs, or next to a bed.

#147;I even have one in my bathroom right now. It#146;s such an elegant way to store things. And they#146;re easy to move, which is ideal for a recent graduate unlikely to stay put for more than a year or two.#148;

Tip: For the bachelor#146;s chest, look for a piece that isn#146;t too deep, so it can function in the narrowest of spaces; less than 20 inches is ideal, says Elliot.

4. LightingA light fixture can alter the feel of a room, especially a small one. Every room should have multiple sources of light, including table lamps, floor lamps and sconces, even if you have a ceiling fixture, Radhakrishnan says. (But stick with your basic needs first.)

#147;Lamps are to a room like jewelry is to an outfit,#148; she said, #147;so go bold and have some fun!#148;

Tip: Antiques shops (online and physical storefronts) are the best sources for lighting, Radhakrishnan says. #147;They won#146;t always come cheap, but you are much more likely to find a vintage lamp that#146;s very well made, unique and beautiful for little more than the price of regular store-bought ones.#148;

5. Original artForget framed posters, designer Dana Tydings says. Instead, start building an art collection.

Works by students and other undiscovered artists are original and affordable. Buy several smaller pieces to hang together, or save for one or two large statement pieces.

#147;Good art hung over an Ikea sofa will make [the sofa] look like a million dollars,#148; says Tydings.

Tip: Affordable, original art can be found at local art schools; call to ask about upcoming art sales. Online options: www.etsy.com, www.lostartsalon.com, www.20x200.com and www.fineartadoption.net.

6. DeskEveryone needs a designated place to keep a laptop and writing utensils, check email, and sort bills.

A desk can also be used as a bedside table, a console table (add lamps), an entry table (tuck stools beneath for extra seating) or a dressing table. In a pinch (and with the help of a tablecloth), a desk can even serve as a small dining or buffet table, Cavin-Winfrey says.

Tip: Hide unsightly computer components and wires by having a tailored table skirt made. Use a colorful patterned fabric for more punch.

7. Bed#147;When you receive a diploma, you also graduate from the land of futons,#148; Meyer says.

An upholstered headboard is a classic piece that takes up little space, so it#146;s a sensible option for smaller studios and will also work well in a large master bedroom down the road, she says.

Tip: Have several slipcovers made in different colors or patterns to change the look of your headboard (and your entire room) in an instant.

8. Leather club chair#147;A good leather club chair will stand the test of time and only get better with age and use,#148; Patrick Baglino says.

A leather chair in a classic style can work in either a contemporary or a traditional setting, as well as in many rooms including a family room, living room, bedroom and home office, he says. #147;Look for a chair made by a manufacturer with a reputation for good quality.#148;

Tip: Avoid leather chairs that are too trendy or too distinct in style because they won#146;t be as versatile later on, Baglino says. #147;Light-colored leather or dyed leather may not be the best choice.#148;

9. Dining tableA dining table with multiple uses in smaller spaces (a place to eat, work and entertain) will also serve you well when you move.

#147;If you get a pedestal table now, it can be used as a center hall table in your next house,#148; designer Joe Ireland says. #147;Or a game table in a great room or a kitchen table.#148;

Depending on what size and style you choose, a dining table can add the wow factor in your temporary place, he says.

Tip: Not everything you buy for your first place needs to be an investment. Feel free to be frugal when shopping for dinnerware, flatware, glasses and dining room chairs.

10. Something unexpectedNot every investment piece has to be a staple, Baglino says.

#147;I always love to add a #145;jewel piece,#146; #147; he says, #147;something that reflects the individual#146;s personality, tells a story and stands on its own.#148;

For example, the $1,890 Claude Walnut Gossip bench set from Jonathan Adler #147;is sort of retro but it works today and will work well down the road,#148; says Baglino. #147;It could work as a bench, a table, storage. It can go in a bedroom, living room, media room, could be cool in a kids#146; room down the road. It#146;s quirky, it#146;s fun, it has personality.#148;

#147;It#146;s not inexpensive,#148; Baglino admits, #147;but you#146;re getting a lot for your money.#148;

Tip: Sticking with the investment staples is smart, but adding a special piece that reflects your personality adds style.