It can be fun and exciting to buy new furniture. You’re bringing something into your home that you love, that will become a part of your life. But buying furniture isn’t always easy, there are many things to consider before your purchase is complete.
First, before you even get to the style of the furniture, you have to decide what the overall idea behind it is. For example, some modern dining room furniture is designed to be the showpiece for your home. These are the stylish pieces that light up a room, the pieces that you want everyone coming to your home to see.
 This article was originally written for my 2012-2013 position at lifestyle and furniture retailer Haiku Designs. Go check them out here, they are great folks. |
You may, though, just need a piece of furniture that fits a need, and isn’t the showpiece. In fact, maybe you already have the showpiece, and now you just need items to compliment it. Certainly you don’t want it to conflict, at the base level you want to make sure that the piece you are looking for doesn’t simply detract from the other one either.
Next, there’s the style of the furniture. Budget will always have an impact on style, but that doesn’t mean you can’t work with style ideas to find out what you really want. There are lots of furniture pieces that are similar to others, and price is often the only difference between them. If you know the style you want, you can work to make it fit your budget.
Style can be looked at in a few ways, and they all impact what you need to look for in a furniture piece. You can look for the style that fits your current home. You can also look for styles that might not fit now, but fit the idea of what you want your home to become. You can even pick a piece just because you like that particular style, matching or not.
There’s a balance to look at, between what you have and what you want. You need a piece that will work with your home, either how it is or how it will be, and choosing the right piece can help build harmony in your home.
Budget is the next concern, and every shopper will look at it differently. Some will spend on the spot, whatever they want, on the piece that is perfect for them. Others will find the pieces they like, and save up for as long as it takes to pick it up. Still others will keep a strict budget, and no matter how they feel about a piece they will never go over a certain price.
It’s important with budget concerns to know ahead of time what you are looking for, and what you are willing to spend for it. However, just because something is outside of that range doesn’t mean it should be automatically put aside as a choice. If that piece is the style you want, it’s easy to look a little further to find pieces that are very similar. You might end up finding a piece that’s slightly different from the original one you wanted, but at a price that fits your budget a bit better.
Sale items, even clearance or slightly damaged merchandise, can be a good way to get the item you want as well. Maybe the regular price on one of the more elegant, brand new platform beds is outside of your price range. But there could be a certain size of the bed in the clearance listings, one that has a scratch in a place that no one would ever see anyway. You get the same bed now for a fair amount off, on a flaw that would be difficult to spot.
Some damages may keep you from purchasing a clearance piece, but it’s always good to find out what the damage is and if it impacts the piece at all. Stores can’t simply resell something at full price if it’s damaged, even in the slightest of bits, and keeping an eye out can help you get a good price on something. It’s a gamble, as most things don’t come up on clearance, but it’s good to keep in mind.
There is a lot of thought that goes into purchasing new furniture, and it can be a long process. Don’t forget to take advantage of the resources available as well, to help you out. Review all of the items on the store’s website. Look at ratings or promotions. Above all, give them a call and ask questions about specific pieces, and on the best ways to shop for furniture.
A little help might be all you need to get that perfect piece for your home.
