If one thing is true about the homes in which we’ve lived, it’s that nothing has ever remained constant. We’re always moving furniture around and trying new arrangements in each room. From my point of view, finding out how a space is best used will always require a bit of tweaking. Thankfully, over the years we’ve acquired decor pieces that stand the test of time—and style—and have allowed us to move from a Tudor home to a traditional rambler without skipping a beat.

The pieces below are some of the ones I’ve loved most over the years. They’ve stood the test of wear, tear, and rotation from room to room, and I’d recommend them to anyone who’s looking for classic, long-lasting pieces to add to their space.

1. Leather Sofa

This was the first “adult” sofa I owned. Because it was leather, it felt very fancy. Article had just launched when we received the sofa in the mail and, year after year, it became our most used article of furniture and the one that fared best, spill after spill, scratch after scratch. The thing about leather is that it ages well, as long as you’re reasonably responsible for cleaning up after spills before stains set in. In particular, I recommend this couch to anyone who is renting (the size works for most rental living rooms) and find that it transitions well to fit with just about any style of decor.

2. Studio Floor Lamp

This lamp has traveled with me from our first house to our studio to our new house, and now it lives in my home office. It was one of the first items we added to our first home, because having the ideal task light in a reading corner was one of the things, in my eyes, that made a house feel like a home. I still love the idea of assigning specific corners for activities we love, and lighting is one of the best ways to do this. If you’re looking for that forever task lamp, I highly recommend this one from Schoolhouse. Even with our more traditional approach to decor in our current home, modern lighting brings the perfect amount of eclecticism that’s achievable for all of us—not just interior designers!

3. Marble Coffee Table

We’ve had this coffee table for as long as my daughter has been alive…three years and a month or so. It’s incredibly sturdy and still looks new to this day. We’ve spilled countless drinks on its surface—in fact, it was a very heavily used coffee table at our studio when we hosted events and weddings. If you’re looking for a well-made coffee table that can withstand the inevitability of life happening to it, this is for you.

4. Medallion Area Rug

I bought this rug in 2018, and it quickly became the most asked about item of decor in our home. Not only does it photograph beautifully but it’s also so soft underfoot and hides all kinds of crumbs, dirt, and dog hair. We had it under our dining table for a year, where ALL SORTS of things happened to it and, somehow, it remained unscathed. It’s a highly affordable, beautiful, and versatile rug that will work in just about any space.  

5. Dining Room Chairs

Unfortunately, the chairs we own are no longer available, but I wanted to include them here because there are many options when it comes to buying a similar style. Like so many of the pieces featured in this post, these chairs work well with just about every style. Distinctly midcentury, our chairs are reproductions of the Carl Hansen & Son classic CH33P by Hans J Wegner. I couldn’t afford the original seven years ago when we added this similar option to our home, and while they show signs of age, I think it proves that Danish classics are a worthy investment. These chairs are immune to the tropes of trend and have a timelessness that will keep them fresh and loved in your home for decades.  

6. Leather Daybed

I ogled this daybed when I first saw it in the CB2 catalog. When we received it at our studio, we decided to use it in our foyer, where clients would enter and wait for meetings to begin. Now, it sits in my office and is my “thinking spot,” where I do a lot of meditation and resetting. The kids also love to hang out here while I finish up emails, check our budget, or pay bills. It looks polished while still offering the comfort you want when lounging. 

7. Pink Tufted Bench

This bench has been used in just about every room of both of our homes. It’s long enough to use for a quick rest or scroll on your phone, and it works perfectly at the end of a bed. We used it as a daybed in our living room at the old house, and it was the favorite seat in the room! And it’s pink, which is a joyful and unexpected color that surprisingly works as a neutral in most spaces.

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Kate Arends

Kate is the founder of Wit & Delight. She is currently learning how to play tennis and is forever testing the boundaries of her creative muscle. Follow her on Instagram at @witanddelight_.