Furniture Buying Tips

Go online and search the Internet for the specific item(s) you are considering.  For today’s busy consumers, the Internet allows them to research and shop more efficiently, saving time, gas and money.  Shoppers are educating themselves online before they even visit their first furniture store.  Research furniture styles, different types of fabrics, various furniture finishes, get decorating ideas and other facts that will help you gain more knowledge and information.  Then research your buying options prior to making a purchase, narrowing your furniture store selections.

Plan ahead.  Know your furniture needs.  Determine how much money that you can invest.  Make a list of the pieces and sizes you plan to buy.  Take measurements of the area you are buying for, and determine how and who will be using the furniture.

 If you have a color scheme, bring fabric and/or paint swatches along with room dimensions.  If you feel you may need decorating assistance, ask the furniture stores you have selected if they offer free design consulting service.  If this is not available, consider hiring an interior decorator or designer, always asking upfront what fees are expected.

Be an educated shopper.  Browse through various magazines that may have room displays of furniture.  Take a picture from the magazine or from your Internet research that shows a particular style furniture you like into the store so you can help the sales consultant save you time.  Shopping with an experienced, knowledgeable sales person makes a big difference.

 Ask questions about the reputation of dealers and manufacturers. When shopping, remember that selection, price, quality and service are all important factors.

Always consider your lifestyle when selecting upholstered items.  Consider comfort.  Furniture should be comfortable, so sit on it!  Ask the sales consultant for advice.  Do you have young children or pets?  Choose a durable fabric in a family room, and make sure the fabric is stain resistant.  Look for the tag on the cushions showing the cleaning instructions.  Make sure the fabric pattern is centered – and does it match top-to-bottom and side-to-side?  Are seams reasonably straight?  Evaluate seating options:  down fill, eight-way hand-tied springs, foam, etc. 

Check construction!  Do drawers in wood furniture open smoothly?  Are they Conventional or French Dove-tailed construction?  Are the furniture pieces constructed with Mortise and Tenon Joints?  Corner Blocks glued and screwed?  Ask your sales consultant about the construction features, and have him or her show and explain them to you.