Helpful Hints for Furniture Shopping
Nadia Osman
December 23, 2007
Wandering listlessly in a furniture store is not a good idea. The elegantly displayed rooms, the racks of kitchen cookware, the rows upon rows of sofas—these things spell trouble for someone who isn’t prepared. One minute, you’re casually observing some new towels, or maybe a table lamp. The next you know, you’re the proud owner of a new cutlery set, a bright purple recliner chair, and a new set of patio furniture. You can avoid this from happening by determining a few specifics on what you want before you go in. As easy as it sounds, furniture shopping takes a bit of research and prep time. However, it will pay off, especially when you come home with the exact coffee table you want, not something in the shape of a wagon wheel (anyone remember When Harry Met Sally?).
First, figure out what you’re buying. Shopping for anything is easier with a list of specifics; otherwise, why are you going to the store in the first place? Let’s say you want to purchase a new coffee table (and no, not one like a wagon wheel). Think of what pieces will go with what you want. Two end tables will better balance the coffee table, so keep those in mind as secondary items to buy. Once you know what you need, measure the space in your home where you think it will go. The last thing you want is to bring home a sofa that’s too big for the living room. Measure every which way possible, as you don’t know how tall or wide the item will be. Also be sure to measure the walls if it’s going to be pushed against one, like with a bookcase or desk hutch, and to be sure it won’t block thermostats or light switches.
After you know the furniture you want, where you want it, and how much space you have to work with, start the second part of researching. If you’re starting from scratch, browse online or flip through interior decorating magazines to get an idea of what styles you like. Think about the shape and the finish. In a contemporary living room, you want furniture that reflects a neutral palette. In this case, look for a coffee table in a more modern, clean shape and dark finish. If you already know what you like, or you have a certain theme already going in the rest of your home, then you’re probably good to go. Even if you know precisely what you want, keep your mind open to experimentation. Who knew a round cocktail table would fit so perfectly in that area?
Furniture shopping, as tiresome as it can get, is all about the fun of decorating and choosing pieces that mirror your personality and lifestyle. By doing some work beforehand, you can save yourself a lot of time, energy, and money, and start enjoying and appreciating your new furniture instead.
First, figure out what you’re buying. Shopping for anything is easier with a list of specifics; otherwise, why are you going to the store in the first place? Let’s say you want to purchase a new coffee table (and no, not one like a wagon wheel). Think of what pieces will go with what you want. Two end tables will better balance the coffee table, so keep those in mind as secondary items to buy. Once you know what you need, measure the space in your home where you think it will go. The last thing you want is to bring home a sofa that’s too big for the living room. Measure every which way possible, as you don’t know how tall or wide the item will be. Also be sure to measure the walls if it’s going to be pushed against one, like with a bookcase or desk hutch, and to be sure it won’t block thermostats or light switches.
After you know the furniture you want, where you want it, and how much space you have to work with, start the second part of researching. If you’re starting from scratch, browse online or flip through interior decorating magazines to get an idea of what styles you like. Think about the shape and the finish. In a contemporary living room, you want furniture that reflects a neutral palette. In this case, look for a coffee table in a more modern, clean shape and dark finish. If you already know what you like, or you have a certain theme already going in the rest of your home, then you’re probably good to go. Even if you know precisely what you want, keep your mind open to experimentation. Who knew a round cocktail table would fit so perfectly in that area?
Furniture shopping, as tiresome as it can get, is all about the fun of decorating and choosing pieces that mirror your personality and lifestyle. By doing some work beforehand, you can save yourself a lot of time, energy, and money, and start enjoying and appreciating your new furniture instead.
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