The dizzying array of furniture available today is enough to make you frustrated. Shopping in a store with a salesman down your neck can be infuriating. Would you rather furniture shopping be exhilarating? Turn your frown upside down by reading the tips below, all provided by experts in the field.
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.
When you are purchasing older furniture, make sure to look on the under side of it to make sure that it is stable. Looks can be deceiving. Rust and dry rot are common problems that tend to plague older furniture.
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.
Wood furniture is perhaps the most popular kind of furniture. If you decide to by anything wood, however, there are some things to look for in order to ensure you are getting good quality. Run your hand over the furniture and make sure it is smooth. Look for any blemishes as well.
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.
When picking out furniture for your living room think about using neutral colors like black, tan, or grey. When you select a color in neutral, you are able to easily customize your decor by wall hangings, pillows and other accessories. This will let you change what your living areas look like during different seasons for a lower price.
Don’t buy major furniture on the spur of the moment. These are pieces that you’ll be living with for a long time, so it’s essential that you do your homework before purchasing. Look at multiple options and use the pieces as you would at home. Even bring in a fabric or paint swatch to compare the furniture with the colors currently in your home. You’ll then be more confident in your decision.
Match your room’s color palette by bringing color samples with you. While the piece might seem perfect in the store, it can look different when in your house and compared to your walls. Don’t make a costly and regrettable mistake. Go to the local hardware store where they have matching paint swatches, or you can take some photos of your room along with you and use that as a guide when picking out furniture at the store.
When buying furniture online, make sure to use only reputable sellers. Be sure to read online reviews and check the website’s BBB ratings. You should also make sure that you know what the price is after shipping and taxes.
You’re probably doing it already, just because you’re reading this tip, but make use of the Internet in furniture shopping. Retailers and manufacturers don’t always line up exactly. It’s possible to find the same piece of furniture in three or even more stores. Use websites the compare prices before heading out to brick and mortar locations.
If you are looking for used furniture, you should look on Craigslist. There are many people selling or giving away used furniture right in your area. Many Craigslist ads have pictures of the furniture for sale, so you can get a good idea if it is something you want, prior to contacting the seller.
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.
When buying furniture for your bedroom, consider the size of your bed. You may have a huge bed. If this is the case, make sure that you find furniture that can fit well in your room so that you still have room to move around. Try to keep a large bed in mind so you choose tasteful, smaller pieces to create harmony in the room.
If you don’t have too much money, but you need new furniture, know that you can get it for free. Freecycle and Craigslist are two online sites where people posting just want to get rid of their furniture, so they will offer it for free. Even if the furniture is not in the best shape, at least you did not spend any money!
Look for furniture that has a classic, timeless style. Furniture that is trendy or is just a fad won;t stand the test of time and will quickly look outdated. You will also have finding furniture to compliment it or blend with it as time goes one. Save the trendy choices for inexpensive items such as throw pillows or small decorative items.
Furniture shopping is sometimes really difficult to do. So much selection, so little time and so much pressure from the staff at the store can all hold you back. With the great advice found here, furniture shopping will become enjoyable. You will have fun doing it and get exactly what you need.
