Furniture Shopping Do’s and Don’ts

Furniture shopping is a delicate matter. Fashion changes, while your style can change. So, one day you might not like the cotton curtains grandma gave you, filled with colorful flower patterns. Or your yellow sofa might become a punch in the eye instead of a creative and alternative choice. One year, you might like wooden kitchen cabinets but, a few years later, stainless steel appliances might fit your needs better. Indeed: furniture shopping is a delicate matter. 

Plus, it has its rules, especially when you differentiate between online and offline e-commerce. These rules aren’t designed to be a constriction or a duty. However, you should keep them in mind when you browse for your next living room table, a comfy sofa, or your future bedroom decor. 

Furniture shopping: 10 useful tips

Where to begin? Grab pen and paper and make sure you don’t miss even a comma. 

1. When you start browsing for colors, patterns, and decorations, try to create a creative original style. Don’t focus on one color. Instead, mix and match your choices to create an interesting environment, almost a surprise behind each corner. Of course, this doesn’t mean patterns or colors should clash. If you choose geometrical shapes, stick to them, simply mix and match shades or sizes. Triangles don’t match tropical leaves. 
2. Look at the furniture and decorations from all angles and perspectives. Make sure the pictures aren’t just fancy and glamorous, but ensure they give you a good overview of the piece, from all perspectives and in different spaces. The more versatile something is, the easier it will fit with the evolution of your style. 
3. Once you’ve picked objects and products you like, don’t rush to the “purchase” button. In furniture shopping, research is key, as much as samples. Start by researching the company, materials, and the overall quality. After all, you don’t want to trip into the dangers of fast furniture. (ADD LINK TO PREVIOUS BLOG)
4. Use an app for furniture designs and layouts. Nowadays, you don’t have to imagine how your orange, leather chairs will fit with your home or apartment. Nowadays, there are apps that do that for you. Here are the top three for you: 

• The app Room Creator is one of the most famous in this market and it allows its users to design a room’s interior with wall colors and floor patterns. Free for Android devices, this app is easy to navigate, perfect even for beginners.
• Room Scan Pro is as real as it gets. You hold up your device to the wall so the app scans the space’s measurements and it uses augmented reality for your plans. Your home now turns digital, at least for iOS users. 
• An app that is available for both iOS and Android is Planner 5D, for free. It shows you the details, down to the tiniest one. You can create 2D and 3D floor plans, for both interior and exterior spaces. Thanks to its extensive catalog, Planner 5 is a great choice while you enjoy your furniture shopping. 

Here’s something else to do before you click “purchase.” Measure, measure, and measure again. It might seem like an obvious step, but in the excitement of getting a new designer desktop (ADD LINK TO PREVIOUS BLOG), you might get something too big, bulky, or small. That would be a travesty, taking you right back to square one. 

 

Logistics, details, and regrets

1. Now, here’s a good question: is there a best time to buy furniture? The obvious answer is: sales. Discounts are the best time for your purchase, especially if you are on a budget. So, think about sales after the holidays or special offers of individual stores. For example, Summer is one of the best times to invest in new indoor furniture, while winter or fall are best for outdoor pieces. Redecorating your office? Summer is the ideal season to design your spaces. 
2. Important and often overlooked details are logistics such as assembly and transportation. Organized pieces in easy to move boxes are perfect if you live in a studio, while a massive sofa (although impressive) might not be right if your elevator is constantly out of order.
3. If you are still uncertain and you need a valid alternative for your furniture shopping, here are two useful words for you: custom pieces. Instead of choosing standard objects that you can’t modify, choose a personalized piece that is built for your space, your taste, and your needs. This tip is all about you. 
4. If you decide to go 100% online with your furniture shopping, then read the customers’ reviews. Companies might look legit on paper when they are shady behind the curtains. Websites like TrustPilot can help you in your choice. 
5. Finally, you can have regrets. So, it’s important to double check warranties, money back guarantees, and all the fine-print details. This is the only way to make sure you can take back your decisions. 

 

Thanks to these 10 easy tips, you know the Do’s and Don’ts of furniture shopping. It’s a delicate matter.