5 Tips for Buying Furniture
Buying furniture doesn't have to be difficult. Here is how to make this process a lot easier.
Shopping for furniture can be overwhelming, especially if you're not sure what you're looking for. There are many factors to consider, such as style, comfort, durability and price. You want to make sure you find pieces you'll love for years without breaking the bank.
Most people look for hand-me-downs and cheap furniture when furnishing their first home or apartment. While it can be tempting to skimp on quality to stay within your budget, there are ways to get high-quality furniture without spending all your savings. In this blog post, we share tips on what to look for when shopping for furniture.
Measure your space
Before you head out to buy furniture, make sure to measure your space. Start with assessing the furniture you currently own for size comparison. This will help you avoid getting pieces that are either too big or too small for your rooms. If you’re starting with an empty room, look for different furniture sizes online and use masking tape to mark the space on the floor to give you an idea of how that piece might look in your room.
Don’t forget to measure the spaces between windows and doors as well as the entry to your home. You don’t want to get furniture that blocks the doorway or doesn’t fit through the door to your home. If you live in an apartment, make sure the furniture will fit in the elevator or the staircase so you can actually bring it to your home.
Identify quality furniture
When buying furniture, it's important to identify quality pieces. After all, you want your furniture to last for many years. Here are a few things to look for when assessing the quality of the furniture:
Craftsmanship: Well-made furniture will have clean lines and smooth finishes. Signs of poor craftsmanship include loose joints, poorly applied paint or stains.
Materials: Quality furniture is typically made from solid wood rather than engineered wood products or particle board. In addition, higher-end furniture is likely to have veneers that add beauty and durability.
Construction: Take a close look at the structure of the piece you're considering. Are the drawers properly aligned? Are the cabinet doors flush with the frame? If not, then the piece is likely of poor quality.
Match furniture to your lifestyle
When buying furniture, consider your lifestyle. That white suede couch might look great in a catalog but might not be practical if you have young children or pets. The same goes for fabrics and decor. Opt for furniture with plenty of built-in storage, stain-resistant fabrics, and darker colors if you have pets or young kids.
If you entertain often, you might need extra seating and storage space. And if you move frequently, you might want to choose furniture that is easy to transport and assemble. Ultimately, the best way to pick furniture that fits your lifestyle is to take the time to think about your needs and then find pieces that meet those needs.
Save money on buying furniture
Buying furniture can get expensive, but there are ways you can save money. Look for seasonal sales and discounts. Many furniture stores have clearance sales in January and July to make space for new stock. Don't forget to ask about floor models as they can often be bought at a discount. You can take advantage of this and save money on furniture.
Another way to cut costs is to buy your furniture second-hand. Yard sales, flea markets, antique stores and online sites like Craigslist or Kijiji are great places to look for used furniture at a fraction of the cost.
Preview before you buy
Buying new furniture can be a big investment, and with so many choices, finding what you're looking for can take a lot of work. To make that process easier and more fun use a home design software like Planner 5D. Our easy-to-use software lets you create virtual layouts of your rooms, so you can try out different furniture arrangements before you buy.
Take a few measurements of your space and input them into the software or use the Scan Room feature in our app on your iPhone to scan your room to generate an accurate floor plan. Try different design styles and layouts, and experiment with different colors and finishes to find the perfect look for your space. So next time you're shopping for furniture, save time and use Planner 5D to try before you buy.
Shopping for furniture doesn't have to be stressful. We hope these tips have helped make the furniture-buying process less daunting. As with any other large purchases, take your time, consider your needs, set a budget, and do your research before making any major decisions. After all, this is something that will hopefully be in your home for years (or even decades) to come.