What You Need to Know About Buying New Furniture

Buying furniture can enhance the way you live and provide comfort and style to a room. However, there is a lot you need to think about before setting out on your shopping adventure.

Aside from measuring the space you’re furnishing and determining your budget, you’ll also want to understand how you plan to utilize individual pieces, their build quality, and whether the materials are best suited for your lifestyle.

Here are five things you’ll want to keep in mind while buying new furniture.

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  Functionality First

Testing different couches and beds can be a lot of fun, but before you visit the nearest store, you’ll have to figure out what your needs are at home. What sort of purpose will your new furniture serve in your life? Keep in mind: functionality matters. As a buyer, you’ll want practical, aesthetically and emotionally pleasing furniture — essentially improving the way your home works for you.

Examine the different rooms in your house. Are cabinets or shelving better suited for your storage needs in your home office? Do you want to have a designated guest room with a bed, or would you prefer to have a multi-purpose space with a pull-out sleeper sofa?

Your budget should also come into play at this point. How much do you want to spend? Coming to terms with what your needs are should be your first course of action when furniture shopping.

• Know Your Style

You may have a particular decor style that runs throughout your home, or maybe you’re looking to do your very own home makeover. Either way, having a clear sense of what your decorative tastes are makes choosing the right furnishings seamless, as well as easier for the salespeople assisting you.

You may consider mid-century modern pieces for a timeless look that still feels contemporary. Mid-century modern decor stands out because of its clean lines and organic shapes, as well as its broad spectrum of colors and materials.

If you prefer warmer craftsman-style wood that’s reminiscent of American historical periods, specialty consignment stores or antique malls may be the ticket. Typically, these furnishings are made from genuine wood materials and contain unique ornamental carvings and leg shapes.

Regardless of your style preferences, having an idea of what you’re looking for and finding pieces that best complement your decorative fancies will help to transform your home.

• Sustainable Furniture Options

Consumers worldwide are becoming more green-conscious regarding how they live and the products they buy. Eco-friendly upgrades and sustainable furniture are no exception.

If you’re looking for furniture made from recycled materials and manufactured in a more environmentally sound way, you may be surprised at how many options you have. For example, pieces made from bamboo, rattan, and grasses make beautiful, natural additions to your home. As a nice bonus, bamboo is an excellent sustainable material that regrows in no time at all.

If you want to be sure you’re purchasing eco-friendly furniture for your home, look for the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification logo on the packaging. The FSC indicates brands that have met extremely high standards of sustainable wood harvesting and manufacturing processes.

• Choosing Materials

The fun in furniture shopping lies in the abundance of materials, colors, and patterns you can choose from. Some consumers look for comfort over style, while others lean towards making their rooms pop in subtle ways.

However, so much more goes into choosing the proper materials for you. Look at the space you intend to furnish. If you’re planning to put your new sofa in front of a window, make sure you can customize it in a fabric that won’t fade in direct sunlight. Also, if you have pets that like to sit on the furniture, consider whether their nails may easily scratch or tear it.

Maintenance is another aspect to consider. Leather upholstery tends to be more durable and has a longer lifespan than fabric, but you still may need to follow special care instructions to maintain its look over time. Check to see how stain-resistant the materials are and what kind of cleaning products you can use.

• Check for Quality

Purchasing new furniture is an investment, so you’ll want to be sure that it will last for years to come. Always make sure to inspect a piece of furniture’s quality before bringing it home. Although two pieces may look exactly alike, differences in their construction or materials may make one far exceed the other. There are many ways to examine wood furniture quality, for example. Ask yourself the following questions:

• How sturdy is it? Does it wobble?
• Are the drawers aligned or crooked?
• Does it have a smooth surface?
• Is it made with sawdust or timber composites?

Other things to look out for when examining how well furniture is manufactured include any tears or uneven seams in the fabric, the quality of the springs, and how much weight it can withstand.

Plan Ahead for a Better Shopping Experience

You can save time and money shopping for furniture when you are prepared and aware of what you’re looking for. Write down the correct dimensions of the space before you head out the door, and above all, remember that quality and functionality should come first in making your decision.