Do you hate furniture shopping? Would you rather hide under the covers of your bed than go out again? Would you prefer to watch paint peel? If so, your problem is likely that you aren’t shopping with knowledge behind you. This article has some simple strategies to make yourself a better shopper.
If you have small children, you should avoid purchasing furniture with sharp edges. Little ones tend to trip and fall often which can result in a trip to the emergency room if your furniture has sharp edges. Instead, when shopping for sofa tables and end tables look for furniture with routered curved edges.
Keep the future location of any piece of furniture in mind when shopping. This factor should affect the fabric colors you choose. Light color fabrics are ideal for bedrooms, foyers and even formal living rooms. On the other hand, any piece of furniture likely to be used frequently is better served with darker colors.
Pay attention to the legs of the piece of furniture you want to buy. Choose furniture with solid wooden legs. Make sure the legs are solidly connected to the piece of furniture and not simply glued. If you need a new sofa, try finding one with an additional leg in the middle for more support.
When buying new furniture or used furniture, make sure all the drawers and cabinet doors work properly before purchasing. Make sure the cabinet doors close securely and open easily. Test all the drawers to ensure they pull out correctly and close properly. If there is anything that is not working, get it fixed before buying.
Avoid furniture held together by nails and glue. Look for furniture that has been properly joined at the corners, not simply nailed together. This shows quality of construction and ensures your piece will stand the test of time. They are also more sturdy, and can handle bearing more weight than cheaper methods.
Before buying any furniture online, make sure that you read the reviews of the retailer online. There are many people out there that are more than willing to leave reviews after having good or bad experiences. Use this to your advantage when you are looking for a place to buy furniture from.
If you are planning on buying some large furniture items, make sure you pick items that fit your family and lifestyle. A beautiful white suede sofa might be an excellent choice a bachelor or couple without children. This might not be a good choice for people who have children or pets. One spill could ruin the fabric or a pet jumping on it could tear the cushions.
Furniture pieces that you choose should be neutral. When you’ve got neutral pieces, you are able to do much more and easily change things up. They will fit in more easily with what you already have, and give you a wider range of choices when you add to them. There are lots of neutral shades out there that you can use in your home.
When shopping for home office furniture, consider how much actual surface area you need. Do you like to have room to spread out papers? Or are you more minimalist, with just a laptop and all-in-one multifunction printer? Length of cords or wireless connections also factor into the size and number of pieces you need.
You should always inspect the legs of any furniture you’re about to purchase. You’re looking for legs that are attached to the frame and sturdy. Rubber, plastic or metal legs will scratch flooring and are not as durable as wooden legs. Make sure the legs are not simply nailed to the bottom of the furniture; they have to be joined to the framing structure.
Never make rash furniture buying decisions. These are big ticket items you’re talking about here. They are pricey to buy, and a real pain to return once they are in your home. Look into all of your options before making this big decision. It’ll save you a lot of hassle.
When purchasing a leather sofa, check its base very carefully to see if the leather is dyed evenly everywhere. If you notice some white gauze under the sofa, it is made out of vinyl. A genuine leather sofa should be evenly dyed, even under the sofa and between the cushions.
Make sure you take measurements before you go out to shop for furniture. You need to make sure the piece you fall in love with in the showroom is actually going to fit in your home. Having a list of the measurements of your space can ensure you do not accidentally purchase an item that is way too big to fit.
Don’t buy expensive pieces just because they’re trendy. You may later learn that kind of style isn’t something that’s still in style and it’ll be hard to work with when you get new furniture later. Have a sense of your own style and what items might go well with it in the future, should you want to change things up.
If you admire the furniture that belongs to family or friends, ask them where they bought it, who the manufacturer is an if they are satisfied with the quality and comfort of it. Often, they can give you valuable advice that can keep you from making a costly and regrettable purchase.
If you’re looking for pieces that will allow you to have a traditional or eclectic look, check out consignment shops or estate sales. Such sales are renowned for having treasures yet to be discovered which can add unique flairs to your home. It doesn’t hurt to check, and you just might find a hidden gem.
These techniques have been used by countless others to make furniture shopping more enjoyable, so put them to use yourself. You’ll find your next trip out is one which doesn’t leave you so frustrated. In the end, you’ll find the furnishings you need and your home will be more comfortable than ever.