When purchasing a home, the first thing you usually do afterwards is purchasing furniture to fill it. If you’re downsizing, you may need to trade your large pieces for smaller ones. No matter the reason that you need new furniture, you still need to put thought and research into your purchases.
Examine all the surfaces of any used furniture you are buying. Especially if you think a wooden piece may be an antique, look at it thoroughly to determine this. Inspect the frame and the joints and test out drawers or moving pieces. This can give you a good idea of the piece’s condition. Sometimes called the secondary woods, these surfaces will tell you a lot about the construction quality and aging of the piece.
When purchasing outdoor furniture, make sure that furniture is well constructed. Inspect each weld to make sure that there are no weak welds. Weak welds or joints are just going to get weaker and will quickly break. Find a different patio that is more durable and constructed of better material.
When buying home furniture, you need to be careful about the colors you select. The bolder the color, the harder it may be to match in future. Reserve bold colors and patterns for your smaller pieces, and stick with neutral colors and patterns for the larger pieces of furniture.
You should never pay full price for your furniture, negotiate a discount. Being a good negotiator can help you save up to twenty percent. If you do not like to haggle, bring along someone who can accompany you.
Make sure the furniture works before purchasing it. If you don’t know it doesn’t work until they drop it off on your doorstep, you’re going to be really upset. Some stores may make it hard to do an exchange.
Furniture that is basic in style is your best choice. Neutral pieces make decorating easier. Matching the furniture with your room can give your living space a beautiful appearance. You will find a wide choice of furniture in a simple, basic style which will fit in with your overall decor.
When you’re purchasing a sofa, make sure that you ask about the springs. If the salesman does not have the information you need, ask to speak to the supervisor. Push on the couch to see if you’re able to feel springs and ensure they run front to back.
Consider your wall colors and flooring and bring samples of it if you want your furniture to go with it. You can fall in love with a piece, but it may not complement your home’s decor. Don’t do this to yourself. It’s pretty easy to find a swatch at your home improvement store, or just take a quick picture of your wall for comparison sake.
Make sure the furniture that you’re looking at is well-crafted. Chests and dressers need to be made of solid wood instead of pressed wood. Check to see if the builder has installed a proper plywood back instead of budgeting out by using heavy cardboard or composite wood. Push on the piece to be sure it is sturdy.
Figure out who is going to be using any furniture that you buy. If you happen to live alone then the furniture won’t get much use, however if there are children present, then you will need something a bit more sturdy. Pets have a habit of shedding, so if you have a white cat you might want to avoid a black fabric couch. Because the majority of pets will shed their hair as the seasons change, certain fabrics collect more hair than others.
Don’t purchase all furniture at the same time. You might need to buy a single piece each time to fit your budget. The slow and steady approach is best not only for your bank account, it’s also good for that aching back from moving too much furniture
Hopefully now you have a better understanding of how to find great furniture. Whether you need better pieces or just need money to be saved, the above tips should help you with that. Don’t rush the process, and before you know it, your home will be filled with quality pieces you can enjoy for many years to come.