1. Measure the Room
Buying new furniture requires a little (okay, a lot) time and effort to get it right. After all, it’s your home and has to make you happy each time you walk into the room. Start by measuring the room, and this should be the first step even before you look for furniture.
Mistakes people make when measuring the room:
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- Measuring only once (do it at least thrice to be sure)
- Measuring only from wall to wall (don’t ignore the corners and the open spaces)
- Not making a note of the measurements (no, you won’t remember all those numbers)
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If you are replacing existing furniture, measure the furniture and the space it occupies.
2. Take Pictures and Draw a Mock Up
Grab your smartphone first and take pictures of the room from all angles. Use the below questions to angle the camera for pictures.
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- How does the room look from the doorway?
- Does it feel too cluttered when you stand in a corner?
- From which window does the light enter the room?
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Refer to the pictures when you look for furniture and carry the measurements with you. Better yet, draw a mock-up of the room on a sheet of paper and use it as your reference guide. Using pictures and the mock op design will give you a complete idea of where a piece of furniture will fit. The mock-up will help when you rearrange the new furniture in the room.
3. Research the Materials Used
Always do your research when finalizing a piece of furniture. You need to know the pros and cons of the materials used in making a chair, table, shelf, or any item you want for your home. Pay extra attention to maintenance costs, strength, and durability.
Here are some examples of what you need to find out:
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- What kind of wood is the piece of furniture made of?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of heavy/ lightweight furniture?
- Does the material cause any allergies?
- How frequently do you have to get it varnished/ repainted?
- How does Denver’s weather affect the materials?
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If you’re dealing with fabrics, get samples (swatches) of the ones you liked. Compare them leisurely and make the final decision.
4. Determine Your Budget
It’s easy to forget other expenses when you think you found ‘the perfect furniture’ for your home. But is it really perfect for you? We’ve got to admit that we have far more important expenses.
How to not overshoot your budget? Let’s take a look:
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- Set a lower and upper limit (for the total amount and individual items)
- Start looking for pieces in the lower limit
- Remember that you need to pay for delivery services
- If you spend more on certain furniture, balance it out by spending less on another
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Spend only as much as you can afford, and if you’d instead save more money and then buy, by all means, do that.
5. Sizes, Shapes, and Designs
Whether you are renovating the house or moving to another, the main factors to consider remain the same. What sizes, shapes, and designs should be furniture be?
Have clear answers to questions such as:
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- Do you like vintage and antique stuff or prefer contemporary designs?
- Does bulky furniture attract your attention or the sleek ones?
- What colors do you prefer for the furniture?
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A combination works for most layouts. For example, a rectangle dining table can be paired with round chairs. A triangle coffee table can be the centerpiece in a room with a plush sofa. Balance heavy items with sleek and sharp pieces to add variety and character to the room.
6. Look Online First
Even if you prefer to buy locally in Denver, you can look online before visiting the furniture store. Several furniture sellers have both online and offline stores. Shorting your favorites will save time when you visit the store. Moreover, you can also read the reviews by other customers to get a better idea about the item.
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- What is the range of collections?
- Can you order custom pieces?
- What are the delivery and return policies (online and offline)?
- How responsive is the business when you contact online?
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Another advantage of checking out the online stores is that you’ll have more background information about the seller and their business.
7. Buy When the Time Is Right
It’s more than okay to wait for the right furniture to come your way rather than buy something within a deadline. And if you really need a couch or a chair, check out thrift stores or secondhand stores to get one for a lesser price. It’ll do the job until you find what you want.
Things you shouldn’t do when buying furniture:
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- Compromising on high-end furniture because you need it
- Buying when you aren’t thoroughly convinced about something
- Paying more because it’s got more demand and is a current market favorite
- Rushing into a sale to make the most of it
- Getting stressed out because you don’t like anything you see
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Remember that what’s trending today may not be in style after a couple of years. It’s better to wait and buy when the time is right.
