Ten Pieces to Invest In

Essential pieces that define the room — and where your first investments should go.

19 November 2024 –

Deciding what to invest in is the first step toward curating a home that truly reflects your personality and style. Each choice you make helps shape a space that feels authentic, welcoming, and uniquely yours.

As you begin collecting pieces you love—whether building from the ground up, remodeling, or simply planning for the future—it’s important to consider the longevity of each choice. Knowing where to start with intentional purchases can be challenging, but prioritizing key pieces, regardless of your budget, is essential to creating a space that lasts. Today, we’re sharing ten pieces our design team recommends investing in, along with insights on how each can transform your space.

01

A Quality Sofa

The sofa is often the most-used piece in any home, so it naturally tops our list of investment priorities. While a high-quality sofa may look similar to one made with lower-grade materials, the difference in durability and comfort is undeniable.

Shea and our product design team have worked hard to create our McGee & Co. made-to-order upholstery collection, we focused on elements that would stand the test of time—both in appearance and structure.

Every piece is crafted with the highest quality materials, down to the last detail. Built with solid hardwood frames and high-density foam cushions, our made-to-order furniture offers lasting sturdiness and balanced support. Each item is then hand-upholstered in your choice of fabric, making it uniquely yours.

02

Intentional Lighting

Lighting transforms a home, and whether it’s a statement chandelier or a sconce that highlights a favorite vignette, designer-detailed pieces draw the eye and elevate any room.

High-quality lighting doesn’t just add a layer of sophistication to your design—it can completely shift the ambiance of a space. Even in a rental, swapping out standard fixtures or adding accent lighting through floor and table lamps creates a custom feel that makes all the difference.

03

Enduring Counter Stools

Barstools and counter stools bring both style and function to the kitchen, making a big impact in the space. These seats transition effortlessly from morning coffee to work time to family game night, so durability and comfort are key.

04

Luxury Bath Linens

Investing in quality bath accessories is a small choice that elevates your everyday routine in a meaningful way. From the perfectly weighted towel to a fresh bath mat or a beautiful shower curtain, having bath essentials you truly love adds comfort and a touch of luxury you’ll never regret.

05

A Hand-Knotted Rug

While investing in a rug might feel counterintuitive, the right one can truly stand the test of time—even with daily foot traffic. We love incorporating vintage rugs in our projects because their worn-in character, rich textures, and intricate patterns naturally conceal wear and tear.

Many vintage rugs, some of which have lasted for centuries, owe their longevity to hand-woven craftsmanship and natural materials like wool. If vintage isn’t your style, the good news is that artisans today continue to create rugs with this same level of intention. When shopping for an investment rug, we recommend checking the details—materials, weave, and craftsmanship all play a part in a rug’s durability and beauty.

Explore McGee & Co.’s rug guide to select the right rug.

06

A Versatile Mirror

While mirror styles and trends may shift slightly over time, a high-quality mirror you buy today will likely look just as timeless as one from five years ago. Mirrors are a foolproof way to make a room feel larger, fill an empty wall, or add an intentional layer to any vignette. Simply put, you’ll always find the perfect spot for a great mirror.

07

A Sculptural Vase

Investing in decor might seem unusual, but after years of designing and styling homes—and incorporating vases into nearly every vignette—we can confidently say that a well-chosen vase is a timeless addition to any collection.

08

A Timeless Dining Table

Some pieces, when crafted well and chosen intentionally, are truly built to last a lifetime. In our view, dining tables are one of those essentials. We love the idea of a dining table that moves with you from home to home, becoming a gathering place for memories and shared moments along the way.

09

A Beautiful Cabinet

Cabinets and hutches offer endless versatility, and we love the personality they bring to dining rooms, living areas, and those in-between spaces. Styled with personal items, serveware, or storage baskets, they add both character and functionality wherever they’re placed.

10

An Elegant Bed

The bed is one of the most frequently used and longest-lasting pieces in any home. Whether you prefer a classic upholstered style or a modern wooden frame, the bed serves as the focal point of the bedroom—and is, in our opinion, well worth the investment.

Date Posted
19 November 2024