Are you considering getting a new piece of furniture or a few? Walking into the storeroom could face you with a few obstacles if you don’t know what you’re looking for. It can be hard to judge what you want on top of what you need. If that sounds like you, take a look at our tips for what you should bring to the furniture store when making a new purchase.
A budget
A piece of furniture is expected to last a long time. You want it to see you through thick and thin, through different styles of your home, through various homes, even. But it would be disingenuous to say that it doesn’t take a chunk of change. Buying furniture isn’t cheap, so it’s a good idea to go into the store with a budget in mind. This is especially important if your home is going through a renovation or you’re looking to buy multiple pieces of furniture. When you go over for one piece, you can look for something more affordable on the next piece and prioritize what is most important to you.
You’ll also want to take with you some knowledge about costs and your budget limitations if you have any. Additionally, you’ll want the staff to be helpful and knowledgeable in any furniture store you visit so you get the best service. For example, the staff at pricebusters.com could help with their knowledge about the items in-store, and finance payment plans that will enable you to buy now, take it home, love it, and worry about paying for it later, even if you have bad credit.
A broader style
If you are looking to renovate your home, or even if you’re not, you’ll want to take into account the style of the room as a whole. We all love decorating, so no doubt this will be at the front of your mind while you’re wandering the store. Take into account the color scheme you’re going for, the textures you have or plan to have, the materials you think would mix well, etc. If you need a visual aid, consider bringing along an interior design magazine or even a few photos of your home.
An idea of your future lifestyle
In roughly half the instances, if you’re buying a piece of furniture, it means you don’t already have that piece of furniture at home. Maybe you’re leaving the nest, buying your first home, prepping for a change in circumstances, etc. Not always is this the case. Sometimes you just need a change, or your existing piece of furniture is well past its prime. But if you are looking for a new piece of furniture, it’s important to take into account the lifestyle ahead of you. If this is purely an aesthetic choice, you won’t need to worry, you’re just supplanting one piece of furniture with another. But if you’re about to get roommates, move in with a boyfriend, get a dog, or become a parent, you’ll have to take into account the practicality of that piece of furniture in your new home.
Think about what materials, colors and shapes will suit your new environment beyond aesthetics. For example, white isn’t brilliant for a home with paint and slime-loving children in the house, but you can consider it in a sofa if it’s leather, or faux leather, which allows for easy clean up. You’ll want this furniture to last a while, so it’s helpful to go in with an idea of what is practical for your lifestyle.
And finally…
A tape measure and your measurements. Who hasn’t been caught out by this before?