When it comes to the look of your home, nothing subpar will do. You have to aim for the top when purchasing your furniture. Who can afford the highest quality pieces, though? If you have a budget, the ideas below will help you stay within it while decorating your home with style.
When determining your budget for furniture, consider the expected lifespan of the piece. Light aluminum frames or particleboard pieces are likely far lower in price, but also lower in life expectancy. Heavy wood, solid furniture lasts a lot longer, albeit at a higher initial investment. How long you plan to be in a home can factor in too.
While it’s good to talk to the salespeople in furniture stores, realize and remember they might not be your best source of advice and information. They may be focused on customer service, but only to sell. An actual interior designer is someone who can really help you find the right furniture for your home.
Know what the return policy and warranty are 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 it comes to obtaining high-quality leather furniture, try going with top grain leather. This type of leather comes from the highest portion of the hide, which makes it a great material for furniture. It is the most expensive leather that you can buy, but with proper maintenance, your pieces will last for many years.
Decide what material you want before you start looking. If you only want oak tables, for instance, that will stop you from wasting time looking at other materials which you won’t need. If you want a candle chandelier, know that before you start looking so you get what you want. If you walk into a store without a goal, you’ll feel much more uncertain.
Don’t buy major furniture on the spur of the moment. These are pieces that you’ll be living with for a long time, so it’s essential that you do your homework before purchasing. Look at multiple options and use the pieces as you would at home. Even bring in a fabric or paint swatch to compare the furniture with the colors currently in your home. You’ll then be more confident in your decision.
Are you interested in buying a leather couch? Make sure you purchase furniture that is actually made out of leather. If the salesperson described it as a leather-like or a leather match piece, then the sofa or the chair is not made from actual leather and might not last very long.
If you are shopping for an entire room of furniture, ask about quantity discounts. Many stores will offer them. If they are not willing to discount the price, ask if they will throw in small extras, like a lamp or end table, to make the deal a better one.
Ask about warranties when purchasing furniture. You should 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.
When shopping for furniture, don’t forget to look at thrift stores. These stores generally have good quality pieces for a fraction of the full sales price. Additionally, these stores will allow you to haggle and purchase in bulk which can save you money. Some thrift stores even offer free delivery.
If you are going to buy a leather sofa, you want to make certain that the leather is of the highest quality. There are faux leather sofas, but they are not as well-made. Inspect any sofa closely, listen attentively to the salesperson and keep in mind that faux leather sofas really shouldn’t be bought above $800.
Before you purchase a piece of furniture, make sure you check its drawers and cabinets. You want to ensure the drawers and cabinets will open and close properly. If they do not, you should not purchase the furniture. You should also inspect the handles and knobs to ensure they fit tightly and do not jiggle. If any jiggling occurs, this is a sign that the furniture is not put together properly.
Try to steer clear of furniture that has been glued together. Instead, seek out pieces that have wood joined at the ends and corners. The joints that don’t use nails or glue take more time to build, and are usually more expensive because of the high-quality construction of the piece.
Establish a budget before shopping for furniture. You should visit different furniture stores to get a better idea of prices. If you are on a limited budget, consider buying second hand furniture or going to a store that offers payment plans. Put more money aside if you cannot afford to buy furniture at the moment.
Consider your local scratch and dent store for your next furniture purchase. These stores often have brand new pieces with minor cosmetic damage. They sell the pieces at a large discount, and that can mean more money left in your pocket. These stores will also often barter or prices, making them an even better deal.
Now that style is back on the table, and yet within budget, thanks to what you have learned in this article, you need to go shopping. Take along a friend and show them what you have learned. You’ll surprise them with your shopping prowess and end up with some hot furniture to show off at home.