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. We have some simple strategies to make yourself a better shopper, and make sure your new home is everything you want and more.
Before going out to purchase your furniture, do your homework. There are many online customer reviews of furniture brands. Read several reviews from different websites to help you find the best brands of furniture. By learning what other people have had success with, you can ensure the brand you chose will last.Window shop
Window shop online to get a feel for shapes and styles that you want to bring into your new home. Most people prefer to pick out their 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.
Spend a bit more for higher-quality pieces. Although you don’t want to go into debt, spending a bit more upfront will save you money in the long run because you are more likely to purchase quality. You will rarely get a quality deal when purchasing cheap sofas. Spend a bit more and get a piece that will last.
With that said, look for furniture pieces sold by a reputable store, too. Well-known stores tend to offer warranties on their furniture, and if something goes wrong within the warranty time frame, they will replace the pieces. Smaller stores are not usually able to afford these type of warranties.
When purchasing furniture, be sure to ask about these warranties. Never purchase a brand new piece of furniture without a good warranty. Ask about the kind of damages covered by the warranty. It is best to purchase a warranty issued by a manufacturer rather than by the retailer since these warranties usually cover more things.
Know what the return policy 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.
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.
Pay attention to the legs of the piece of furniture you want to buy. Choose furniture with solid wooden legs. Make sure the legs are solidly connected to the piece of furniture and not simply glued. If you need a new sofa, try finding one with an additional leg in the middle for more support.
If you are looking into used furniture, be sure to look under cushions and even do a smell test. The furniture may look great from a few feet away, but there can be hidden mold and even wood rot that will make the choice a poor investment. Just a little extra time and diligence is needed to make sure the piece is perfect for your new home.
Turn any used furniture over to see what the bottom looks like. A piece can look amazing right side up, but when you turn it over it can have all sorts of issues, including rot, mold, and even infestations. That’s not furniture that you want to bring home with you, so take this simple additional step.
Don’t succumb to the temptation of doing everything at once when shopping for furniture. In order to make your budget work, you might end up having to purchase one item at a time. Slowly building up the new furniture set is easier for the pocketbook and your back!
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 new home will be more comfortable than ever.