Buying Furniture Tips – Take a quick look around your house and ask yourself some simple questions. Do the furnishings you see look attractive to you? Does your furniture speak to your personality? If not, perhaps the time has come to buy some new furniture.
Upgrading your furniture doesn’t have to be expensive. Take the time to educate yourself on the different options for buying furniture so you can get the most bang for your buck. Naturally, the larger pieces of furniture tend to have the biggest impact on the living environment. At the same time, changes to smaller pieces of furniture when done correctly can have just as much of an impact as their more visible counterparts.
Learn to recognize different quality of woods such as oak, fir, pine, etc. The highest quality furniture is made from solid wood, which is a significantly more expensive and fragile. Veneers are basically made from a low quality wood base covered in layers of real wood. This is a much less expensive option that gives you the feel of real wood without its cost. The cheapest wood furniture you will find is made from resin, plastic and wood scraps.
Look at Goodwill stores for used furniture. There’s a good chance you’ll be surprised at the quality of furniture you’ll find there. They typically don’t accept furniture with any sort of tears or stains so the overall quality is generally solid. And the prices are much less than what you’ll see buying new leaving more room in your budget to play around with. When looking at used piece of furniture, try to see it for its potential as well. Repainting or staining an older piece of furniture may end up being the best and most cost-effective solution.
There are just things in life you don’t skimp on. For me, this includes sushi and mattresses. When buying furniture, you may think your sofa is the piece of furniture that gets the most usage time, but for most people it’s the bed. Pay the extra price to get one that’s totally comfortable for you. You’re peace and health is largely connected to how well you sleep so it’s a good idea to always get the best mattress possible for your money.
Enjoy the Buying Furniture Process
Don’t buy major furniture in the spur of the moment. These are pieces and home fixtures that you’ll be living with for a long time, so it’s essential that you do your homework before committing to a purchase. Look at multiple options both in store and online. You can even bring in a fabric or paint swatch to compare the furniture with the colors currently in your home. To make the visualizing process easier, take photos of your home using your cell phone and bring them to the store as a reference guide.
This next furniture tip may sound like common sense, but you’d be surprised by how many people forget this tip when he or she is caught up in the excitement of a buying something. Always take the time to carefully inspect the item. You know how many shoppers in a grocery store will meticulously analyze the quality of produce? They’ll turn that watermelon upside down, right side up, and throw in a couple strategic taps to test the fruit’s firmness. We’ll that same level of detail and thoroughness you should invest into inspecting your furniture. In checking out the item, you may find flaws and imperfections that will give you an opportunity to negotiate a discounted price.
Always be aware of the return policies of the store from which you buy your furniture. The item may look one way when viewed from the computer screen or a show room floor. However, when that same item is placed in the context of your home, it may not be what you imagined. Being able to return an item without a stocking fee will save you much money and more importantly, you’ll then be able to get the piece of furniture that’s right for your home.
Buying Furniture Tips
Once you’ve purchased your furniture, be aware of the type assembly that’s required. Be sure you have the right tools for the job. Most furniture assembly requires a screw driver and/or a hex wrench set. Depending on the manufacturer, the furniture may come with a properly sized Allen wrench. If you don’t have a set of tools, fret not. You can always make a quick run to your local hardware store. If you’re looking for a fun way to build up your tool collection over time, you can subscribe to a monthly tools and gadgets subscription box.
While this article focuses on “furniture”, I’d be remiss if I didn’t at least mention the importance of general decorative items. Household decor items can provide accents that literally transform a living space. A well-placed plant or stylish hand-crafted gifts can be have just as much of an impact on your home or commercial space as a new sofa.
Hopefully the information in this article has given you more confidence in purchasing your next piece of furniture. Remember that a comfortable and attractive home isn’t limited by money. It’s limited only by your imagination and willingness to explore new ideas. Take your time when going through the buying furniture process and you’ll be happier with the end results. Happy furniture shopping!