A Furniture Buying Guide for Beginners: 5 Helpful Tips and Tricks
Measurements, color matching, culturally-inspired pieces, round designs, square designs, buying new vs. buying used, tying rooms together… whew!
There’s a lot to think about when it comes to furniture. And the prospect of sifting through it all may make your head spin. If so, use this furniture buying guide to ease the process.
1. Know Your Space
This point can’t be driven home enough. Measure, measure, measure! Buying furniture without knowing the exact dimensions of your space can leave you with pieces that do not fit together.
But don’t just measure the perimeter. Consider what items you want to fit in the room.
You may want to fit a queen-sized bed, a dresser, and two large night tables in your unfurnished bedroom. So, consider the size of all of these items and how much space you may want between them.
Measure the items at the store or look at their dimensions online. Then use tape to outline the shapes of your furniture on the floor to see how things might fit.
2. Consider Color
The way you use color in a room can influence that room’s energy. For example, warm furniture colors create a cozy, welcoming feel. These are great for living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens.
If you do a lot of hosting, try incorporating reds, oranges, and browns into your furniture palette. If you want your room to have a more alert or productive feel, use cool colors like blues, greens, and whites.
3. Discover Your Style
Are you into Victorian-era steampunk designs? Are you more of a traditional furniture lover or do you prefer a modern look?
Understanding different furniture styles will help you find pieces that you love. Can’t decide on one style over another or don’t care either way? Mix and match your pieces for an eclectic look.
4. Don’t Buy Everything At Once
When you move into your first house or apartment, it can be tempting to buy all of your furniture all at once. But try not to do that. Take your time looking for pieces that you really love.
This is especially important if you’re thinking about buying a bunch of cheap pieces. Cheap furniture won’t last and often costs you more in the long run.
Take a second and consider what you absolutely need right away (a bed, for example). Invest in those items and then look at how to buy quality furniture pieces with longer lifespans.
5. Quality Over Price
Speaking of quality, it’s a good idea to invest in furniture with some longevity. Sometimes, this means you need to spend some extra money. But not always.
Look at websites like Craigslist where people resell their used items. Search for estate or garage sales in your area. You may be surprised by the deals you find on high-quality furniture!
Your Furniture Buying Guide is Complete
When you set out to furnish your first home, you need a solid furniture buying guide. Take these five tips with you as you explore your new space and discover your style and preferences. And be sure to check out our other guides to furnishing and redecorating your home.