Whatever the size of the place you live, you will need to buy furniture for it. But, you need to know certain things prior to going shopping. This article provides some guidelines and good advice about how to find just the pieces you want at the right price.
Learn to recognize different quality of woods. Some furniture is made from solid wood, which is a lot more expensive and fragile. Veneers are basically made from a low quality wood base covered in layers of real wood. The cheapest wood furniture you will find is made from resin, plastic and wood scraps.
Don’t ever purchase any large piece of furniture without first measuring it. Knowing where you will show it means making sure it will fit there! Bring a tape measure when you shop for furniture and know in advance the spacial limitations you are working with. If you’re ever in a pinch, phone home and have someone there give you the specs.
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.
The depth of an upholstered chair is important. Taller persons should look for chairs that offer a deeper seat that affords ample leg room while sitting. If you are tall, but have weak or bad knees, then look for less depth to afford easier standing up from the chair. If you are shorter, test the depth so as not to “flounder” when rising.
Do not let a salesperson convince you to buy a piece of furniture you are not comfortable with. As most sales people do, those who sell furniture want to make the most commission, so they will try to convince you to purchase the most expensive item. Chances are, some cheaper items are better for your needs.
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.
Find solidly built furniture pieces. Select solid wood instead of particle board when you buy storage items like chests or dressers. Check to see if the builder has installed a proper plywood back instead of budgeting out by using heavy cardboard or composite wood. You can also test it by applying pressure to each side to see if it feels solid.
Visit actual stores between your online shopping visits. It’s easy to compare prices, view styles, and check out colors online, but there’s no way to determine how comfortable or well-made the piece is. Only there can you check for personal comfort and gauge your personal reaction to it.
Be cautious about wear warranties offered on many furniture pieces. Many are not worth the money. These discounts offer extra protection against spills and stains or rips and scratches. The problem with many of these warranties is that, when you consider the price you’re paying, you could purchase a new piece of furniture for the same amount as the warranty or have the piece cleaned yourself for less.
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.
Try to buy sets. This works really well, so that your furniture pieces match each other. More than that, sets can sometimes be more affordable than if you purchased the pieces individually. Living room sets are the most prevalent, and can often offer great value and style for your house.
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.
When you want furniture that will get a lot of wear and tear, like a sofa or bed, make sure it is comfy, yet well supported. You spend eight hours every night laying in your bed, and you will also likely spend many hours sitting on your sofa; therefore, these pieces should be comfortable to you. Regardless of how pretty the pieces are, if they are not comfortable, you will not be happy with them.
Use furniture might be a great way for you to go. Just make sure to give it a good inspection before you buy it. Look for tears in both sides of the cushions, check for damage to the springs, stains and other signs that it has been abused. You never know, you might get a three thousand dollar sofa for a few hundred dollars.
The type of springs that your sofa has will make a huge difference in the comfort level. They will also play a role in how long your sofa lasts. Look for a sofa that has zig zag springs, not coil springs. The zig zag style will allow for more give, but will spring back into place when weight is lifted off of them.
Now that you have read through this article, you should be much more prepared to tackle furniture shopping. There are many important factors to consider as you look for furniture. Use the information to be sure you make informed decisions when buying furniture for your home.
