When you think about buying furniture, do you get a little overwhelmed or do you look forward to it? If this is you then you will want to get educated on furniture buying; it can make the process much easier for you and give you peace of mind. The information that follows can help you do just that.
Ask friends and relatives for recommendations. Everyone has bought furniture at one time or another, so it’s important that you check with people you know, who can give you a place to start. That way, you can hit the ground running and make your search go more efficiently, getting your furniture much quicker.
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.
If you are in desperate need of furniture but cannot afford it, thing about renting it. Many rental companies, like Rent-A-Center or Aaron’s, allow you to rent sofas, beds, chairs, and other furniture without having to pay up front. Instead, you can pay weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Once you are done paying it off, the furniture is yours.
If you want a new piece of furniture and already have a piece similar, consider altering the piece. There are many different ways you can alter furniture. If you want a new color, you can paint it or add a nice slipcover. If you aren’t comfortable doing it, there are a lot of people who enjoy this type of project.
Upholstered chairs should offer a good leg angle. When your thighs are not perpendicular with the ground when sitting, you will be unable to find comfort. Avoid chairs that give your legs an upward or downward tilt. The normal height for a seat is approximately eighteen inches; however, you can find chairs that offer a lower or higher seat to accommodate your height.
If you measure twice or more, you only have to buy once. While it is likely you can return a piece of furniture that doesn’t fit, that means moving more furniture than you want to. Know the measurements of both your overall room and where a piece will specifically go. Take a measuring tape to the showroom, just to make sure the listed dimensions are accurate.
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.
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.
If you need several pieces of furniture, look for package deals. You will find that many times a store will give you a much better price for buying many pieces. If there are no posted deals, be sure to share with your salesperson the fact that you want many pieces and ask if they can give you a deal.
Consider both form and function when you are selecting a new piece of furniture. It is all well and good to buy a new item that looks stunning in your room. However, if it is so impractical that it is not really usable for you and your family, you have really wasted your money.
When you shop for upholstery and fabric furniture, there are various types and textures to consider. Most fall into three popular groups: synthetic, organic, and blended fibers. Synthetic fibers includes microfiber and acrylic, organic fibers includes cotton duck, silk and wool, and blended fibers combine both synthetic and organic fibers.
If you want to save money on furniture, consider alternatives to traditional shopping. Goodwill stores sometimes have pieces. Check out yard and garage sales. Also peruse Craiglist or local Freecycle options. Any community of some size has a secondary market of furniture not on showroom floors. Even consider going to storage locker auctions. If you see a piece you like, talk to the winning bidder for that locker.
If you are purchasing a couch, make sure that it is comfortable. Sit down on the couch, lay down on the couch and curl up on the couch for at least five minutes to make sure that it is comfortable to you. There is nothing worse than buying a new living room suite only to get it home and realize that you don’t find it comfortable.
If you are purchasing a used piece of furniture, see if you can negotiate with the seller. Many times the seller needs to sell their furniture to have their new furniture delivered. By offering a fair price, you may be able to save money over purchasing a new set of furniture.
Inspect the furniture to learn how it is built. Try to choose furniture that is constructed using wood joinery techniques. Avoid buying furniture that is held together with nails and glue. Pieces that are held together with wood joinery will hold up to more weight and for several years after the nail and glue pieces fall apart.
If you have a spill on your leather furniture, make sure to clean it up quickly. For water-based spills, blot the area with a dry, absorbent cloth to remove all the liquid you can. For ink or oil-based spills, you may need your furniture professionally cleaned to remove the stain since water can worsen it.
Does the prospect of buying new furniture make you nervous? Hopefully, you now know enough to feel comfortable with the process. Use the advice above whenever you want some new furniture.