It should come as no surprise that purchasing furniture can be difficult; however, because furniture is expensive and making poor decisions is costly, it is well worth the extra effort to find the best options for your space.
Many shoppers become engrossed in the excitement of buying furniture in the moment, overlooking critical factors that will ensure that their purchases meet their needs. Mistakes, whether in terms of practicality, proportion, or personal style, can be frustrating, but by approaching this process with careful consideration and a clear plan, you can avoid common pitfalls and create a space that you will enjoy for years to come.
The majority of furniture purchases require careful thought and planning, but this doesn’t mean you can never buy on the spur of the moment. Keep a running list of the ideas listed below with you so you can snag that perfect mid-century sofa you discovered while browsing your local antique store. Before you buy it, go through your checklist to ensure that the piece you find meets all the requirements on your list, and you will be able to walk away with your new sofa feeling great about your purchase.
Skipping Measurements
Underestimating or overestimating the size of a piece of furniture is one of the most common reasons for returns. It is easy to fall in love with a piece in the showroom without thinking about how it will fit in your room or through the doorways to your home.
Make accurate measurements of each room you want to furnish, and consider the ideal-sized pieces and layout for the space. You can even create a simple floor plan to visualize different layouts using different-sized pieces. Think about traffic flow and ceiling heights when deciding which pieces will work best in your rooms.
Overlooking Proportions
A piece may technically work in a room but does not look or feel right in that room, which is most commonly due to a mismatch between the room and the furniture proportions. Furniture that looks to bulky might make a room feel cramped, while a piece that is too slim and spare can disappear in a large room. Achieving the right balance in the room involves the consideration of the scale of each piece and also how they fit together.
Consider the size of the room and the height of the ceilings. In general, larger rooms require more substantial pieces, while smaller rooms work well with lighter, slimmer furniture. Even though this is a great general rule, it is best to make sure every room has a mix of pieces that have different proportions, so always try to mix it up so that there is an overarching balance.
Neglecting Lifestyle Needs
Your furniture should serve you, not the other way around, so choosing furniture that fits your needs is a vital consideration. It is essential to think about how the furniture will be used and who will be using it before you buy it to ensure that it is comfortable, useful, and durable for your lifestyle. For example, delicate fabrics will not hold up well on sofas for movie nights with kids and pets.
When deciding on the best type of furniture for each room in your home, consider the construction, upholstery type, durability and maintenance requirements, comfort level, and storage capacity.
Ignoring Your Budget
It is easy to get carried away by eye-catching designs without considering the consequences. Ignoring your budget may feel great in the moment, but it will not create long-term satisfaction.
Before you go shopping, determine how much you are willing to spend. Prioritize your purchases with the most important pieces getting the majority of your budget. Invest in quality key pieces like a sofa, bed, or dining table and save on less critical pieces and decorative items where quality and durability are not as vital.
Prioritizing Looks Over Comfort
While aesthetics are essential in a visually appealing room design, furniture is meant to be used, and if it is uncomfortable or wears out quickly, it is not right for you. Even the most attractive pieces can become a source of dissatisfaction if they do not meet your needs over the long term.
Consider how a piece of furniture will feel during regular use before committing to a purchase. Whenever possible, read reviews of the experience of others to see if it held up to expectations. Also, study the construction and materials of the piece to ensure that it is the quality that you want.
Skipping Material Considerations
If yours is a high-paced and busy lifestyle or you have an active family with pets and young children, material considerations are one of the most vital priorities when buying furniture. Certain fabrics may look attractive initially but are not durable or easy to clean.
Upholstery options like leather, microfiber, olefin, certain cotton weaves and blends, wool, and wool blends are some of the most durable in wear and tear. Always look for performance fabric options because these are pre-treated to make them resistant to staining and wear. Delicate upholstery fabrics such as silks and chenilles are best suited to furniture in low-traffic areas.
Not Considering Your Current Furniture
Unless you are planning to purchase everything new in the space, it is vital to think about your existing pieces. When you are shopping for new pieces, think about how this new piece will work with the styles, upholstery colors, wood tones, and patterns in your current furniture.
To create a cohesive look, consider a unifying theme that creates harmony in the design. This might be complementary colors, shapes, or finishes that bring the room together. Always purchase pieces that will enhance rather than clash with these overarching themes.
Rushing Decisions
Rushing furniture decisions, like quickly finding a piece to fill a gap, can lead to regrettable purchases that do not align with your lifestyle or budget. Rather than rushing this decision, take time to evaluate each purchase and choose the best possible piece, even if it takes longer than you want. This will lead to better purchases and make you a more thoughtful consumer in the long run.
Buying Only New Pieces
Not considering second-hand pieces can be a missed opportunity for unique finds and significant savings. Many pre-owned pieces are still in good shape and often offer great quality that can be hard to find in new pieces for the same price.
When you have this mindset, you are more open to different types of pieces, from antique treasures to retro gems, that can give your home a more distinct personality. Even if you have to refinish or reupholster worn or outdated pieces, you will often save money and end up with a higher-quality piece than if you bought new furniture of the same type. This is also a more environmentally friendly way to buy furniture, helping to reduce waste in landfills.
Overlooking Return Policies
Even with the best laid plans, furniture purchases can go wrong. If you buy a piece of furniture that doesn’t work for you, you want to make sure that you can return it with as little inconvenience, cost, and trouble as possible.
Consider policies that dictate if return is even possible, the return window (how long you have to return something), potential restocking fees, the return shipping costs, exchange options, and the condition of the returned furniture. Before you buy something, consider the possibility of a return to decide if this purchase and the potential return are worth it.
Not Testing Key Items in Person
In these days of online shopping, we never need to leave our homes to completely furnish our houses. While online reviews and dimension guides are helpful, they do not always tell a complete story. This can be particularly detrimental in key pieces where comfort and longevity are most vital.
For items like sofas, mattresses, and chairs, it is especially essential to physically test them. Sitting on and personally inspecting these pieces will give you a good idea regarding their comfort and construction. This helps to ensure that you are getting exactly what you expect when you purchase the piece.
