You need to exercise caution and be careful while furniture shopping. You need to be sure that what you’re buying is of good quality and will last a while. However, paying too much for this furniture is outrageous. Here are some tips to take the mystery out of furniture shopping.
Take drawers out and really look at antique pieces of wood furniture before purchasing them. Something can look good, but still have hidden problems. Older furniture is usually plagued by two common problems – dry rot and rust.
If you are looking for wooden furniture, you should look at more than just the outside. You have to also check out the guts of the piece – behind doors, inside drawers. This type of visual inspection provides you with a more in-depth look at the condition of your furniture. You want to look for pieces that are made of solid wood throughout, not just on the parts that show.
When buying furniture for the outside, ensure that it is constructed very well. Inspect all joints to ensure against weak welds. Don’t buy anything which looks flimsy. You want outdoor furniture that can withstand the elements.
You should be negotiating when purchasing furniture. Many furniture shops have huge markups on furniture and can generally reduce the prices up to 20% via negotiating. If this idea doesn’t appeal to you, see if someone you trust will accompany you to the store to help out.
When picking furniture for the living room go with colors that are neutral like tan, grey, black or ecru. By picking out a color that’s neutral, you’ll be able to make your whole home look different. All you have to do is change the color of the walls and accessories. This will let you make seasonal changes to your rooms at a low price.
Check out the legs of the piece you are considering. They should be very heavy and attached to the frame. Metal, plastic and rubber legs scratch up floors and are weaker than wood. Legs should be firmly joined to the structure of the framing rather than simply nailed on.
If you buy a patterned sofa, check to see that the fabric aligns properly. Cheap sofas tend to have seams which stick out like a sore thumb. If you are purchasing a more expensive sofa, find one with a pattern that is perfectly aligned. If the tailoring does not look good, choose another sofa.
When purchasing furniture, have an idea who will most likely be using it. If you live on your own, your furniture may not get much use, but if you’re a parent, you’ll want pieces that are sturdy. If you have pets in the house, consider the color and fabric type of your sofa and chairs. Many pets shed frequently, and certain fabrics accumulate more hair than others.
Spend a bit more for higher-quality pieces. Even though you have a budget, reconsider it when it comes to furniture. Cheap couches may initially seem great, but that will quickly fade. If you spend a little more on a quality piece, it could last a lot longer.
When you’re looking at used furniture, try it out. That means sit in it, turn it over and move it around. Be certain there are no hidden defects and that the piece is strong. When you turn it over you can find marks that indicate the manufacturer and labels as well that allow you to see what it’s worth.
When you begin furnishing a new place, try not to buy any items that are faddish or unique. These may not fit in easily with other furniture. You may find that the style does not outlast the life of the item or that it will be hard to match for items that you buy later. Instead, find a classic style that can work with any type of decorating scheme.
A great place to find good quality furniture for free is in online classified ads. You never know when something of excellent quality appears. Many people will toss their old tables and chairs that just need cleaned up or refinished. With a little elbow grease, you can fix up a piece that you got for next to nothing.
With the growing popularity of going green, you should consider your options for green furniture. On the other hand, do know that there are misleading advertisers out there. If you want this to be easier, inquire about furniture that is certified as either FSC or Oeko Tek. This can help you quickly assess if the purchase is good for going green.
Do you know someone who may be moving? See if there’s any furniture that they’re not planning on taking with them. You can save money this way and get a great deal on the furniture.
Don’t buy a piece of furniture that doesn’t fit what you need just because it’s at a discount. Layaway can be an option in many furniture stores. You’re in a much better situation paying slowly for furniture that you really will enjoy.
Research styles before you shop. When you have something in mind, it will be easier to describe it. If you are searching for something a bit more modern, this allows you to focus on exactly the right style that will interest you.
Alter your furniture pieces. If you have mismatched or outdated furniture, you can change pieces that don’t suit you. There are so many different choices. Cover it, paint it, reupholster it or stain it.
There are some things you have to know about furniture shopping before getting started so you don’t lose out on money. You can now be confident that you will choose quality furniture at a low cost by following the advice you just read. Get out there and enjoy getting the furniture that you’re going to enjoy for quite some time.