If you are tired of your old, beat up, ratty furniture, it may be time to head to the furniture store and do some shopping. However, you do not want to end up spending an arm and a leg for furniture that you don’t really like. For some great furniture shopping tips, keep reading.

When purchasing a new bed, make sure you lay down on it to find the perfect comfort level for you. Many times people who choose pillowtop mattresses find that the mattress is too soft once they get it home. To help you avoid this, lay down in the bed in the position that you sleep in to ensure it suits your comfort levels.

Be conservative with your color choices. You may be totally into bright red right now, and a red couch is calling your name. But where will you be next year when that color is totally out of fashion? Furniture is costly to replace, so you’re better off opting for more neutral colors.

Buying good furniture is easy as long as you know what to look for. Always look for manufacturers who pride themselves on producing a quality product. There are many companies who produce furniture that will not stand the test of time. Only buy furniture from a quality manufacturer who will stand by their product over the years.

If you need a new sofa, try finding one with some fully covered cushions. These cushions last longer and can be flipped regularly. Ideally, you should buy a sofa with removable covers so you can easily wash them. Removable covers can also be replaced very easily in case you cannot clean a stain.

Believe it or not, it is much cheaper to purchase furniture at the end of the month. Most furniture companies make decisions toward the end of the month on which lines of furniture they will continue to use and which they will get rid of. The ones they are trying to get rid of are sold at a greatly discounted prices.

Pick up seat cushions when buying furniture. Quality cushions should be heavy. A sofa with heavy cushions should be more expensive but you will not have to replace the cushions anytime soon. If you choose a sofa with some light cushions, expect to spend money again within two years to replace them.

Always measure the area where your new furniture will be placed. No matter what type of furniture you are looking for, the space must be measured to insure it will fit. Guessing can lead to a terrible outcome. Larger pieces mean this is a must.

Consider the overall decor you are going for or already have in your home when looking for furniture. Generally speaking, there are five styles of furniture that you can buy. They are traditional, contemporary, coastal, transitional and coastal. Some are more appropriate for your region than others, but of course the inside of your home is up to you.

Make sure that you verify whether furniture is shipped door-to-door or curbside. This is particularly important if you live on a very high floor. You may have to pay a little more if you want the item delivered directly to your door, but it will be more than worth it when you realize you won’t have to do it yourself.

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.

Learn how to properly clean up a spill on your microfiber furniture. To start with, blot the spill with absorbent paper towels. Wash the area using a mild soap solution. Make sure to rinse it off and pat it dry. Finally, use a dry brush to brush the area in the same direction as the nap.

Avoid high maintenance furniture unless you have the time to take good care of it. If you do not want to constantly clean your furniture, look for pieces with a quality finish. Do not hesitate to purchase some fabric protection so you do not have to worry about stains on your sofa.

If you have leather furniture, you should use proper leather conditioner on them. These liquids help keep leather oiled so that it stays supple and soft. Leather conditioner can be found in home improvement stores and many leather furniture manufacturers sell their own kits to use on their furniture. If leather is not properly conditioned, it can crack and become susceptible to other types of damage.

You can treat minor burn marks that are in the finish of your wood furniture easily. The success of the treatment will depend on how deep it is. If it’s only finish deep, wrap a little fine steel wool around one of your fingers to gently rub the area. Then, polish it and wax it.

Do your furniture shopping at the end of the month or the end of a season when possible. This is the time when furniture stores are changing out their inventory, and they will often sell existing pieces for a great discount. They will also often negotiate on prices just to get the pieces out of the store.

Make alterations to items of furnishing. If you have pieces that you like but they are beginning to look ratty, you can change them. There are many options when changing the look of your furnishings. Paint it, recover it, decoupage it–anything you want.

Consider buying used furniture. It might feel odd to buy furniture that has already been lived on, but you can get a lot of great deals that way. When buying used furniture, just make sure you check for scratches, stains, and water damage. If the furniture is still aesthetically pleasing and sturdy, it might make an excellent addition to your home.

Now that you have read the advice in this article, you should be well-prepared to venture into a furniture store. As with any shopping trip, the more that you know ahead of time, the better. Keep these useful tips in mind so that you can find good deals on great furniture.