Before buying furniture stay away from hasty decisions that can leave you spending a lot of money, only to be overcome by buyer’s remorse as soon as your eagerly awaited purchase is delivered. Because then you have two unpleasant choices: the hassle of returning or exchanging your furniture, or learning to live with it even though it doesn’t feel right.
In other words, impulse buying when it comes to furniture can wreak havoc on your sanity and pocketbook. Start by asking yourself these questions:
1. How much space do I have?
The amount of space determines the scale and number of pieces to buy. What would you consider absolutely essential in a small space? Could something serve a dual purpose? Would a certain finish or color make a piece less overwhelming?
Furnishing a Small Space
A large space might mean that your furniture has to be scaled accordingly, as small pieces tend to look scattered and without anchor in a larger space. Learn how to use your space effectively.
How to Use Space in Decorating
Tips for Decorating Large Rooms
2. Who uses that space? Obviously you have more leeway in choosing a style or fabric if only you are going to use that space. However, if others are sharing it, their needs and preferences have to be addressed as well. For instance, a delicate color or fabric would not work well in a room where small children play.
Tips on Buying Stylish, Kid Friendly Furniture
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3. What is the space used for?Is it the room where the family watches TV and unwinds? Go for comfortable seating and the coffee table should have a hardy finish. Maybe you need fabric protection if your family likes to snack while watching TV. Your furniture should always serve as the background for your life and as it is meant to enhance and complement it, it should not be a maintenance nightmare.
Fabric Wearability Code
How to Choose a TV Stand
4. Which colors do I find attractive?
Do you find yourself gravitating towards certain colors? It would be smart to consider them, as your favorite colors will make you feel comfortable and happy. Are there any that you absolutely, positively hate? Avoid them even if they happen to be in fashion at the moment. What about the intensity of the color? Decide on colors that make you feel good and evoke the kind of mood you want in that room.
5. Is there other furniture or artwork in the room already?Any furniture, rugs, or artwork that you already have can provide a good starting point as they can help you establish a cohesive look and feel. It’s a good idea to take preexisting pieces into consideration or your room could end up looking hodgepodge and uninviting even if all the pieces are wonderful individually. You should also consider if your new piece is going to be the focal point in the room, or play a secondary role.
6. What if I’m starting from scratch?
While this can be scary, it can also be very exciting! What can be more exhilarating than furnishing your own space the way you want to? Before you head off to a furniture store go through magazines, catalogs and websites, and collect pictures that you like. It will soon help you determine your own personal style if you don’t know it already. Take a look at this fun exercise to discover your own style:
Find Your Style
Going through magazines and websites may also provide you with manufacturer’s names and furniture retail stores where you can buy what you need.
7. How long do I plan to use it? How long you plan to use a piece of furniture determines how much you should spend on it, or whether you’d be satisfied making a compromise. If you plan to use something for just a couple of years or like to change your surroundings frequently then it might not be a good idea to buy very expensive furniture. However when you want something to last it makes sense to look for quality.
8. And finally, but most importantly, what kind of a budget do I have?Is money no object or do you have a limited budget? Even if it is the latter, you can find a variety of furniture to fit any kind of taste, budget or need. Look around before you buy, do some research on websites, and compare stores for prices. You should end up with something that you absolutely love. Don't rule out used furniture that you can refurbish or re-purpose if your budget is preventing you from buying quality furniture.
(source: Abe Abbas, About.com Guide)
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