What to Keep in Mind When Shopping for Furniture
Whether it’s your first home or you’re just doing home renovations, it’s important to keep a few things in mind before purchasing furniture. Here is some food for thought:
Quality vs. Value: In an ideal world, there would always be a perfect balance between quality and value, but we know that there are times we need to cut corners to stay within our budgets. So here is my advice: It’s okay to sacrifice on price when you’re buying pieces of furniture that are more for show and will rarely be used. But when shopping for a sofa, you’re better off making the investment. If you don’t take quality into consideration when purchasing a sofa then you will end up spending twice as much when you have to replace the furniture in a few years. So decide on where most of your money is going before beginning the furniture buying process and allocate funds accordingly.
Do Your Research: Don’t wait to get to the store to learn about your options, be informed ahead of time. Make sure you research the different types of material when determining what’s most important. What are the more durable fabrics? Which are easiest to clean? What wood is most scratch resistant?
Take it for a “Test Drive”: Before making a car purchase, you take the vehicle for a test drive so that you can see how it feels, your comfort level, and how it best fits your lifestyle. Most of us are going to spend a lot more time on our sofas than in our cars, so it makes sense to test it out, right? So don’t feel uncomfortable to sit down on the sofas in the showroom- that’s why they’re there. In fact, lay down while you’re at it. You want to be sure you feel comfortable when it’s in your own family room. Are the cushions too firm or soft? Is it comfortable to sit straight up and to lay down? Go on, don’t be shy!
Pay Attention to Detail: Make sure that the furniture is well made. Are the drawers and cabinets able to open and close all the way and smoothly, or does it get stuck, feel jagged, or appear uneven? Do the knobs and handles feel tight and sturdy or are they loose and jiggle or turn? Do the cushions feel as though they’re going to cave in after one month? Are the seams coming undone or is the fabric unraveling in corners?
Timing is Everything: Be patient and plan to purchase furniture around the holidays. Some of the best furniture sales go on around Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day or Christmas.
It’s Okay to Negotiate: There is some wiggle room when shopping for Furniture! Like cars, furniture is marked up and there is almost always room for negotiations. Furniture stores may knock off as much as 10-20% off…but only if you ask! If they can’t give you a discount, then ask for a little something extra…free pillows or delivery anyone?
Where to Shop? Our panel of women has voted and the most recommended Home Furniture Retailer is Ashley Furniture HomeStore, so start there!
