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 run across an older furniture piece, be sure to check the underside to see if it’s stable. Some pieces look great from the top, but they are really lacking in quality and workmanship. Older furniture can sometimes run into dry rot and rust issues.
Take the time to keep furniture polished and clean regularly. This bit of maintenance helps keeps your furniture looking like new and also helps to get rid of allergens like dust and pet dander. Letting dust and other allergens collect, especially on finished furniture, can damage it over time, so you need to maintain it on a regular basis.
Know what the return policy and warranty are for any piece of furniture you are looking into buying. Even if you’re totally in love with the piece, you must know what options you have if there are issues. If it’s an “as is” purchase, do extra homework upfront to know that the piece is the right one for you.
Measuring the space in which you plan to place the furniture is a must. Whatever piece you are shopping for needs to fit in the space you intend to put it in. Taking a guess can lead to disaster. 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.
Window shop online to get a feel for shapes and styles. You should always pick out your furniture in person, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take advantage of the internet. Learn what styles are available and get a feel for what you want to look for when you head to the store. You can even get a good idea of what you should pay, so you don’t get taken advantage of.
Think about who is going to use the furniture that you’re purchasing. If you live by yourself, your furniture will not get much use. If you have kids, you may need to buy more robust pieces. When you have kids or pets, don’t choose light colors or flimsy fabrics. It is quite common for pets to shed, and their hair will land on your sofas and chairs.
Ask around to locate a furniture warehouse, where staff are given a commission based on what they sell. Often these individuals have the ability to give you better deals to encourage you to complete a sale. For example, they may pair two pieces together and offer you a certain percentage off if you get both of them.
If you are in the market for a new mattress, make sure that you lay on a few before you buy. There are many mattresses that look very good, but they may not be exactly what you think. Laying on a few will give you a good idea of what you should be expecting.
If you have antique furniture, do not repair them the same way you do your other furniture. Using fasteners, adhesives, finishes, and polishes can negatively affect both the current and future values of the pieces. Some of these products can dramatically discolor or completely alter the appearance of the pieces.
It’s a good idea to talk to friends and family about places to buy furniture from and places to avoid. Their experiences can help steer to you away from dealing with a store that will ignore you after it has made the sale. Customer service after the sale can be vital so be sure you are comfortable with the store that you buy from.
Learn the best times to shop for items, according to the industry. Similar to how the best times to purchase new cars is supposedly in September, research has shown that there are certain times that are best for purchasing furniture. Find out what those times are to get the best deal.
Did you know that certain holidays can mean better prices on furniture? Try shopping for new furniture around Memorial Day or Veterans Day. The best time to buy is around Fourth of July and Christmas. Prices can be marked down as much as seventy-five percent off with great financing options at those times.
Before shopping for furniture, think of how you will transport the piece of furniture. Many furniture stores only offer limited delivery and may charge for delivery. By borrowing a friend’s truck, you can pick out your furniture and save a lot of money by transporting it yourself rather than paying delivery charges.
If you are buying a dining room table, consider purchasing one that has a leaf in the middle. Doing so will allow you to fit the table into a smaller space, but you can also extend the leaf when you have company over and need more seating. You can always store the extra chairs in a garage or basement when you are not using them.
Make sure to buy children’s furniture that will suit your child’s age. Many people buy bunk beds, but fail to look at the recommended age for the beds. Older children are fine for upper bunks; however, if your children are younger, look for bunk beds that can be split until the children are older.
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.
