Essential anchor pieces include the sofa in living rooms, dining table in eating spaces, bed frame in bedrooms, and desk in offices. These large functional items define each room’s scale and use, guiding placement of secondary furniture and accents. Purchase anchors first to confirm fit and proportion, ensuring ergonomic clearances and circulation paths before layering smaller pieces like storage or lighting. Anchors create a foundation for style and comfort, preventing mismatched or crowded furnishings.