Best of … furniture buying tips
By Editorial Staff
Contributed by Info Guru Aurora LaJambre
Buying furniture is an investment in the beauty and comfort of your home.
The right pieces can complete a room or inspire décor for the entire home. Furniture is built to last for many years, so take your time when making decisions because you’ll live with them for a long time. It’s always a good idea to shop around even when you think you know what you want – you may find something even better.
These buying furniture tips will help you find those special pieces that feel like they were custom made for you.
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Look around
Steal ideas and make them your own
If you’re new to buying furniture, keep a discerning eye open when you go to friends’ and relatives’ homes, and flip through shelter magazines for ideas. Observe how people with style you admire arrange their spaces, taking note of what you do and don’t like and why. When you see an end table or chair you like, ask them what they know about the piece. A number of furniture stores specialize in one specific style.
Bed
Take it for a test nap
Buying a new bed is serious business. On the practical side, it has to fit. If you live in a new home, this shouldn’t be a problem as long as the bedroom is large enough. However, if you live in an older home and the bedroom is upstairs, measure any tight points in halls and doorways to be sure the box spring will fit. Once your new bed is in place, head to The Company Store for pillows, sheets and other must-have bedding items.
Couch
Make yourself at home
A couch has a few jobs to fill. It should be welcoming to guests, attractive and ridiculously comfortable. Families with small children will need it to be sturdy, too. Couches come in all sizes, shapes and styles so try to narrow down your choices as much as possible. If your style is more traditional or feminine, go directly past the modern section. Sofa slipcovers come in a range of patterns and colors, and can make any design fit perfectly in your home.
Dining table
Eat your heart out
If the kitchen is the heart of the home, the dining table is where the heart gets smothered in gravy and dished out generously. American Country Home Store crafts pine furniture made in the USA, including dining sets. For something truly unique, they also carry furniture made from recycled wine barrels. Whether you’re a wine lover or simply interested in furniture with character, always make sure a table is big enough to fit your family before you take it home with you.
Dining chairs
Add a playful touch
If you want to match furniture, always ask the merchant if a piece comes as a set. For instance, dining chairs are often made to go with a specific dining table. As far as time saving furniture buying tips go, this is a big one. On the other hand, if your style is more eclectic, anything goes with dining chairs. Bold, colorful chairs will frame the table as a focal point, or you can paint antique chairs and reupholster the seating cushion with a fabric of your choice. DIYers can head to Home Sew for any supplies you’ll need to give antique furniture a new life.
Armoire
An anchor piece
Armoires are the heavy lifters of bedroom furniture. From frilly unmentionables, to casual clothing and pajamas, they hold it all together. Armoires are also beautiful pieces of furniture, as is evidenced by the stunning collection at Bellacor. Since they don’t get as much wear and tear as beds and couches, the armoire could be with you for a lifetime. Go through every element on the piece to make sure it is well crafted, pull out the drawers, and test doors to ensure they line up and close properly.
Coffee & accent tables
Important punctuation pieces
Accent tables are a simple solution to keeping books, drinks and snacks off of the floor, while coffee tables serve as a center piece in a living or family room. Touch of Class has animal print or glass top tables that are a great choice for a small space because they allow light to pass through to make a room feel bigger. Be sure to choose a table that‘s proportionate to the room it will go in. If you prefer wood furniture, choose a table with a durable finish and keep coasters within arm’s reach.
Outdoor furniture
Enjoy living al fresco
A buying tips list wouldn’t be complete without a special note on outdoor furniture. This is where you can set interior design aside and choose a table and chairs simply because you like them. You will find a variety of attractive wrought iron furniture. It’s versatile because you can always change the fabric and design of the cushions you attach. The same goes for wicker furniture, which has the added benefit of being extremely comfortable. Wicker looks fantastic in traditional, country or cottage-style gardens, while wrought iron complements manicured lawns with bold colors like red roses.
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