Storified by DamgaardDamgaar ·
Sun, Mar 12 2017 13:53:55
You aren't the only person out there who needs furniture. If you have a home, you have to have furnishings. You have many choices and styles to choose from. When shopping, the essential part is in knowing your pieces are right for your home and you are not over paying for them. The article that follows shares helpful tips you can use.
If you are looking for new furniture and you don't have a lot of money, consider picking up some at your local thrift store. There are usually a few different sets available, and you may find one that is in fairly good condition. You can have a set that is new to you without spending a ton of money.
Don't allow yourself to fall in love with a piece of furniture until you've read the special care instructions. A lot of lovely creations have crazy upkeep that can make having them a complete chore. Make sure washing, stain removal, polishing and preservation are all reasonably accomplished for the lifestyle you lead.
Before purchasing a piece of furniture, always open drawers and doors. You should not purchase a piece of furniture if the drawers do not open all the way and close evenly. Make sure the doors stay open and close properly. You should also check the knobs or handles to make sure they are properly attached.
Be conservative with your color choices. You may be totally into bright red right now, and a red couch is calling your name. But where will you be next year when that color is totally out of fashion? Furniture is costly to replace, so you're better off opting for more neutral colors.
Are you interested in buying a leather couch? Make sure you purchase furniture that is actually made out of leather. If the salesperson described it as a leather-like or a leather match piece, then the sofa or the chair is not made from actual leather and might not last very long.
Examine the finish on the furniture you are considering. If the furniture is wood with a stain, check that it is applied evenly and that you can see the wood grain. For opaque or painted finishes, look for an even coating. There should be no bubbles or other blemishes on the finish.
Sofa
If you are looking for a sofa, always take a look at the frame. The frame board is best if it's slightly more than one inch in thickness. Your sofa will probably squeak a lot if the board is any thinner. Try out the sofa, changing positions on it. If the frame is not sturdy, it will creak.
Never go cheap on your bed. You may think your sofa is the piece of furniture that gets the most time, but for most people it's the bed. Pay the extra price to get one that's totally comfortable for you. It's well worth it, and it can really affect how you feel on a daily basis.
When you buy a couch, you should check the frame. The board needs to be a bit more than one inch thick. If your sofa is squeaking, that's a sign the boards aren't thick enough. Sit on any sofa you are considering, and move about to determine if there are any noises.
Examine each pillow on your sofa and chair before buying. Look to see if the covers are removable. If the covers are removable, read the laundering instructions to see if the piece must be dry cleaned. This is something that should be taken into consideration when purchasing living room furniture.
A great tip for selecting furniture is to avoid purchasing things in pre-packaged sets. While you may think you are getting a great deal when buying a matching sofa, loveseat and chair, the overall effect in your final room will look rather bland and boring. Instead, try to buy individual pieces that look good when combined with your other items so as to create a unique decor that nobody else can replicate.
The type of springs that your sofa has will make a huge difference in the comfort level. They will also play a role in how long your sofa lasts. Look for a sofa that has zig zag springs, not coil springs. The zig zag style will allow for more give, but will spring back into place when weight is lifted off of them.
Deciding what sort of furniture to buy for your home can be a daunting task indeed. By reading a bit about the subject and doing independent research, you can make the process much simpler indeed. Use the advice found above, and you will have what it takes to create rooms that represent your ow personal style.