5 Simple Furniture Shopping Tips

Eve Liu   August 24, 2016

So what does one really look for when shopping for furniture? Mostly, we rely on what catches our fancy and is within our budget and also what little we know about the quality of furniture. And these days, it doesn’t help that we are utterly spoilt for choice. Shopping is supposed to be therapeutic but I can’t even pick out a toothbrush (much less a piece of furniture) without having to scan through the exotic lists of benefits in fancy fonts and loud colours fighting for my attention. In the face of such formidable circumstances, perhaps these pointers can help make your purchasing process more of a stress-free experience than mine.

1. MEASURE THE SPACE YOU WANT TO FURNISH

While some people like to try to “eye” estimations of space, you will be in trouble when the furniture arrives and you find that it doesn’t fit the way you had imagined. Try to leave an extra inch or two between other pieces of existing furniture so that everything fits nicely and looks comfortable to the eye.

2. IDENTIFY YOUR STYLE

Knowing what you like and the décor you want to achieve is crucial in narrowing down your options. You don’t want to end up with something too fancy and oddly mismatched because you didn’t know what you wanted to begin with. It is always a good idea to stick with neutral colours that can stand the test of time instead of colourful busy prints.

3. CONSIDER YOUR LIFESTYLE

Are there kids, elderly or pets around the house? Will my furniture be out in the garden and subject to various elements? Do you need the piece for short or long-term purpose? Answering these questions will ensure you have the right pieces to suit your individual needs and not make impulse buys.

4. PAY ATTENTION TO QUALITY

If you want to invest in a piece of furniture that will last for many years then you need to be able to tell the difference. You will need to know the composition and construction of the piece. For instance, the type of wood used and how it is pieced together. Spend more on quality furniture that is highly utilized and less on furniture that is hardly used.

5. BUY USED FURNITURE

If you get sick of your décor easily then don’t buy expensive furniture. Used furniture at the best quality and durability can be found at much more attractive prices. Besides, you can always find creative ways to refurbish or re-purpose your pre-loved furniture! Used doesn’t mean it is of sub-standard quality. It simply means someone is no longer interested in the piece for reasons like wanting a change of décor or relocating to another country.

Making decisions is a lot easier when you know what fits the kind of life you want. Shopping for furniture works just the same!