Low furniture may have a certain aesthetic, but it's not always functional.
Modern furniture can be cheap and convenient to purchase, but pay attention to its measurements, particularly the distance to the ground.
"Some modern-furniture companies — particularly those from Italy — have seating that is way too low to the ground," Cangelosi said.
"If you or someone you know becomes pregnant," Cangelosi added, "it's virtually impossible to get in or out of the seat without help or rolling to the ground — same thing if you have guests who are elderly or infirmed in some way."
Instead, look for pieces with a standard 18-inch seat height.