Picking furniture to complement your home decor is not something everyone loves to do, particularly when they lack sufficient understanding if how best to go about it. In such cases, a bit of education is in order. The information outlined below can help you navigate the process and end up with pieces you truly love.
Use social media to find great deals on furniture. There are many online yard sale pages on Facebook where you can find gently used furniture at a small fraction of the price of new furniture. Search for yard sale groups in your area and begin looking for the perfect piece of furniture.
When shopping for antique furniture made out of wood, make sure that you aren’t just looking at the surfaces on the outside. You have to also check out the guts of the piece – behind doors, inside drawers. In a lot of instances, this particular inspection is likely to yield more information about the condition of the piece as compared to just looking at the surfaces. It’s sometimes called secondary wood and these surfaces can help you figure out the construction quality, along with the age of the piece.
If the piece of furniture you are buying has doors or drawers, test them out. Drawers should slide smoothly and open completely. When you close them, they should line up evenly. For cabinet doors, once you open them, they should stay open. You should also make sure that they close and latch securely.
If you need a new sofa, try finding one with some fully covered cushions. These cushions last longer and can be flipped regularly. Ideally, you should buy a sofa with removable covers so you can easily wash them. Removable covers can also be replaced very easily in case you cannot clean a stain.
If you’re getting furniture for your teen’s room, let them help you. Give them a budget, set some boundaries, and let them choose a few pieces. You can help them mix and match, but a teen will appreciate the freedom of being able to outfit his room and environment the way he sees fit.
Thoroughly check any cushions on the furniture you are buying. Cushions should be firm, and have a cover that can be removed for cleaning. Try to find ones that have the same fabric on both sides. It will cost a bit more than one-sided cushions with a backing, but they will last longer and wear more evenly because you can flip them over every few months.
Consider both form and function when you are selecting a new piece of furniture. It is all well and good to buy a new item that looks stunning in your room. However, if it is so impractical that it is not really usable for you and your family, you have really wasted your money.
Ask around to locate a furniture warehouse, where staff are given a commission based on what they sell. Often these individuals have the ability to give you better deals to encourage you to complete a sale. For example, they may pair two pieces together and offer you a certain percentage off if you get both of them.
Choose the right fabric for the location and use of your furniture. If a piece of furniture is going to face heavy use and traffic, do not buy a costly or delicate fabric, as you will replace it sooner than you like. Save these pieces for less used rooms that are for guests or show.
You should only shop for furniture online to see what items are available at the store you plan to shop at or to purchase things you have already tested. Buying someone online without seeing is first is a great way for you to end up with something you are unsatisfied with.
The next time you need to purchase some furniture, fear not. Now that you have gained a bit of know-how when it comes to getting items in the styles you like at prices you ca afford, you are sure to look forward to shopping rather than dreading it. Refer back to these tips whenever necessary and you have nothing to worry about.