Furniture shopping can be perplexing and tedious at the best of times. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways for shoppers to make the process simpler and more enjoyable. Here are some home furniture buying tips to keep in mind when shopping for the perfect pieces:
1. Choose the right size: Before you go furniture shopping, measure the space in your home where you’d like to place the furniture. Knowing the exact dimensions of the space you’re shopping for will help you narrow down your choices and ensure the piece will easily fit in your home.
2. Make a budget: Furniture can be expensive, so it’s important to map out what you are able and willing to spend on a piece before hitting the stores. Doing so will also help you narrow down your choices to the pieces that fit within your price range without tempting you to break the bank.
3. Research the material: Prior to shopping, decide what material is best for the piece you’re in the market for. Do you need something durable? Something that’s easy to clean? A style that won’t look outdated in the next few years? Knowing the answers to these questions in advance will help you narrow down your choices and zero in on the perfect piece.
4. Consider usage: When you’re shopping for furniture, think about how you’re going to actually use the piece in question. Opting for something versatile – like an ottoman or sectional – will help you get more use out of it.
5. Think about quality: Before you fork over your hard earned money for furnishing, make sure to evaluate the quality of the piece. Are the materials used of good quality? Does the furniture have attachments that will help it last for years to come? Is the craftsmanship solid?
6. Request a sample: Many stores will let you take a sample of the furniture you’re considering purchasing. If you can do so, take it home with you and see how it looks in your home and decide if it’s the right fit.
7. Ask for help: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, get assistance from a knowledgeable furniture professional. They can give you the answers to all your questions and provide more tips on making the furniture shopping process easier.
Furniture shopping and care
Furniture shopping isn’t just about finding the perfect piece; it’s also about making sure the piece lasts for years to come. That means maintaining and caring for furniture so it is looking good and performing well.
1. Create a maintenance schedule: Just like with other things of value, establishing a regular maintenance schedule is key to keeping furniture in good shape. Whether that means dusting, vacuuming, polishing, or something else, adding routine maintenance to your daily or weekly schedule will help keep the furniture in good condition.
2. Determine fabric care: Knowing the care instructions for the fabrics on your furniture is essential. Taking the wrong approach to cleaning can result in staining or other issues that can’t be undone. The best way to find out how to correctly clean and care for the upholstery fabric on your piece is often to look at the tag sewn into the fabric.
3. Don’t forget wood: If you’re shopping for wood furniture, pay attention to the care instructions to make sure you’re taking the right steps to maintain it. Knowing the cleaning and polishing requirements is key to making sure the wood always looks as perfect as the day you bought it.
4. Utilize leather treatments: If you’ve purchased leather furniture, make sure to buy the special leather conditioners and cleaners you’ll need to keep it looking its best. Not only do leather products help maintain the leather’s shine, but they also help to keep it from cracking or becoming stained.
5. Consider professional cleaning: Having furniture professionally cleaned every once in a while can make all the difference in the look and feel of the piece. Professional steam cleaners can help erase stains, kills bacteria, and make the furniture look fresh and new.
6. Do regular repairs: As with any furniture, regular repairs may be necessary to keep your piece looking its best. Loose legs, broken drawers, or torn fabrics all need to be fixed or replaced to maintain the look and functionality of the piece.
7. Reupholster furniture: If your furniture upholstery is looking a bit tired, consider reupholstering it. Reupholstering a piece can not only make it look brand new, but help to extend its life.
Furniture shopping tips for online purchases
For those that prefer to shop for furniture online, here are some tips to keep in mind:
1. Research the store: Before committing to a purchase, do some research into the online store. Check out customer reviews, read what others have to say, and get to know the customer service policies.
2. Request swatches: If you’re in the market for a piece of furniture with a certain color or material, consider ordering swatches of the material. That way, you can make sure it’s the exact color and fabric you’re looking for before agreeing to the purchase.
3. Call a salesperson: If the store offers customer service, consider calling them to ask questions. A salesperson can give you information about the products and provide helpful advice along the way.
4. Check delivery and return policies: Before agreeing to a purchase, take a look at the store’s delivery and return policies. Make sure you understand how long delivery will take, if there’s a fee for returning pieces, and what the store’s return window is.
5. Don’t forget assembly: With many online purchases, you may need to do the assembly yourself or you may need to pay an additional fee for someone to assemble it for you. Make sure you’re aware of this ahead of time to avoid any surprises.
6. Look for sales: Shopping online can be a great way to snag a deal, and look out for sales. Many online stores offer discounts and special promotions that can help lower the price of furniture.
7. Have a backup option: If you buy furniture online, it’s always a good idea to have a backup option in case you don’t like the piece when it arrives. You could look into delivery services that hold the piece until it can be returned to the retailer if need be.
Furniture shopping mistakes to avoid
Many people make the same mistakes when they’re furniture shopping. Avoid doing the following and you’ll be sure to end up with a high-quality piece that’s the perfect complement to the room:
1. Ignoring measurements: Don’t forget to measure before you buy! Not only will it ensure the piece will fit in the space, but it can also help you avoid buying something bigger than you need.
2. Buying without trying: Don’t agree to a purchase until you’ve tried the furniture out. You don’t want to buy a piece that’s too small, too big, uncomfortable, or isn’t made for your intended purpose.
3. Going for cheap: When you look for a good deal, don’t sacrifice quality in the process. Buying cheap furniture isn’t always the best idea as it’s often made with lower-quality materials prone to breaking or unraveling over time.
4. Not considering cleaning: All furniture looks nice from a distance, but some materials are more difficult to clean than others. Choose materials that are simple to clean and take easily to routine maintenance.
5. Not shopping around: Don’t forget to shop around! Compare prices, materials, and options across stores and websites to be sure you’ve found the best piece for the best price.
6. Not trusting your gut: Above all else, if something doesn’t feel right don’t buy it. Your instincts are usually right; if you’re questioning a purchase, heed the advice and keep looking for the perfect piece.
7. Not creating ambience: When furnishing a room, make sure the pieces create the atmosphere you’re looking for. Don’t just buy pieces that match – choose pieces that come together to create the feeling and flow you’re going for.
Furniture shopping tips for eco friendly pieces
For those looking to think of the environment when shopping for furniture, here are some tips:
1. Look for natural ingredients: Natural ingredients like natural oils, fungi inhibitors, and moisture blocking agents are all ideal for eco friendly furniture.
2. Choose recycled materials: Many furniture pieces are made with recycled materials. Consider choosing these pieces to help reduce your environmental impact.
3. Pick sustainably sourced woods: Whenever possible, look for furniture pieces made with sustainable woods like bamboo and teak, or those that are certified by organizations like the FSC.
4. Seek out reclaimed pieces: Buying furniture made from reclaimed materials can reduce environmental impact significantly. Look for vintage pieces or those made from refurbished materials.
5. Opt for eco friendly fabrics: Look for eco friendly fabrics like organic cotton or wool, which require fewer chemicals than other fabrics. Also, choose furniture pieces with removable and washable covers that can be reused and recycled.
6. Invest in quality: Eco friendly furniture oftentimes comes with a higher initial price tag; but investing in quality pieces can help you save in the long run. High-quality pieces last longer and don’t need to be replaced as often, reducing landfill waste.
7. Consider purchasing secondhand: It’s always an option to find secondhand furniture pieces to buy. Not only is it a great way to score a deal, but it can also help you reduce your environmental impact.