Furnishing a new house or redecorating an old one is an exciting experience. However, it can also be overwhelming with all the endless furniture options you can choose from.
While there is no standard process for picking and purchasing furniture, there are some mistakes that may put a damper on your shopping experience. Whether it’s your new furniture not fitting into the space you intended for it or finding that the piece you picked needs more maintenance than you have time for, many of these mistakes are costly and time‑consuming to fix.
Luckily, most of these mistakes are also highly preventable, so long as you remain vigilant against making them in the first place.
To help you prepare for your furniture shopping experience, here are some of the most common mistakes you should avoid when buying new furniture.
Not Measuring the New Piece
The last thing you want to do is purchase your dream piece of living room furniture only to find out it’s a few inches too big for your available space. The best way to prevent this common mistake is by measuring before you buy.
First, measure your room and the exact space where you plan to put new furniture. Take into account any space you’ll want to keep. For example, if you’re shopping for bedroom furniture, you’ll want to make sure you still have enough room for your dresser and other pieces.
Next, measure the piece you’re interested in. While you can do mental math here if you prefer, there’s nothing wrong with taking those measurements home to get an idea of how the piece will fit in your room.
Not Considering Your Lifestyle
Sometimes, you have to put functionality over appearance. After all, getting carried away with the beauty of a piece is one of the top mistakes people make in furniture stores.
There are many different styles of furniture. From loft to minimalist to farmhouse, there are many things to consider when picking the right furniture for you. However, the most important type of style to take into consideration when choosing furniture is your lifestyle.
For instance, if you have small children, you shouldn’t buy furniture that could potentially be dangerous such as furniture with sharp corners or glass tables. You may also want to avoid certain materials like fabric or foam if you have pets.
It’s easy to give in to trends, but the most important thing you can do is think about what best suits you and your lifestyle.
Forgetting About Maintenance
Certain materials need more maintenance than others. Wood needs regular dusting and polishing. Certain natural stones would also need sealing.
As such, when considering high-maintenance furniture, think about how much time you have each day for cleaning and maintenance.
Buying Everything All at Once
It’s a tall order to walk into a furniture store and pick out all the furniture you need in one visit. A sole trip to the store will not give you enough time to assess each piece of furniture properly, much less apply the tips we’ve discussed so far in this article.
If possible, buy one piece of furniture at a time and put them in place first before you think about what other furniture you may want in your living space.
Sacrificing Quality for Price
When you’re torn between one low-end and a high-end piece of furniture, you may not be able to see any major differences at a glance. Sure, the exterior may differ slightly, but what are you truly paying for?
When you’re shopping for furniture, it’s important to remember that you’re paying for what you don’t see: quality.
You want your furniture to last. You also want it to remain in good shape throughout its lifetime, so while it may seem like a better option to go for the budget-buy, you may be sacrificing so much more in terms of quality.
This doesn’t mean you only need to shop high-end, though. Many reputable furniture stores offer exclusive deals, which is why it’s important to do your research on both the piece and supplier before you purchase anything.
Build Your Dream Room Suite Today
Here at Pearls Furniture, we aim to help prevent clients from making mistakes they will regret. We want to ensure your satisfaction with your furniture, which is why we’re committed to building your dream room suite with you.
To shop online and or book a visit to one of our showrooms, get in touch with us either through our website or by calling us at 604-539-6868.