Buying new furniture is fun and exciting especially after you have moved into a new home or are revamping your current one. Here are 10 mistakes to avoid when buying new furniture.
1. Buying before you measure your space
How many of us are guilty of buying furniture without considering the space? This usually happens during those spontaneous buys where we spot something we can’t leave behind. Before you buy furniture, it is good practice to measure your space and consider how the furniture will fit into it. Many neglect this one thing and end up regretting their purchases upon delivery. Whether you are planning to buy furniture now or in the future, keep your measuring tape handy for this purpose.
2. Buying without considering door openings
After measuring the space, another overlooked factor is access. Consider whether that big sofa will fit through the front door, especially if you have no other access into your home e.g. a back door that can be accessed from the street through a garden gate. Another factor to consider is if your living room is not on the ground floor. Will the type of staircase allow for the piece to be carried upstairs without difficulty? Remember, not all opening are the same so factor this in when shopping for larger pieces.
3. Not planning for the layout of your space
I’m a huge advocate of planning. Try and plan for your space before going ahead and purchasing some new pieces of furniture. By planning, I mean the layout of your space. Play around with furniture models to see how your proposed pieces will fit into the space. If you find this task daunting, ask your interior designer to help you plan this. They will not charge you an arm and a leg for this. Trust me you will not regret it.
4. Ignoring the future
Yes you may be young for now (well most of you), however life does change and so does your lifestyle. I know we can’t predict the future but we certainly all have plans for our lives to a certain degree. For instance, some may know they would like to get married, have children or use their house for something else in the future. Try to factor in all these things before buying furniture so you can make the appropriate choice when making your purchases. It’s always great to buy something that can see you through most of your life changes without needing reinvestment.
5. Buying quantity over quality
Where possible, aim for quality over quantity. It’s not always fun getting less when you can get more, I know but when it comes to furniture pieces, there is a good reason some items are more expensive than others. Sometimes going for a budget dining table that’s poorly designed and made with poor quality materials may mean you will be replacing that table in a very short space of time. Where you can, choose quality over quantity and avoid fast furniture like fast fashion. You will also be doing the planet a huge favour.
6. Purchasing the first item you see
Sometimes when you see something that grabs your attention, you just know that this is it. However, before you commit to that piece, it is not a bad idea to shop around just to be 100% sure that it is the right piece for you. Ask as many questions as you can so you know exactly what you are buying. Never be embarrassed to ask away. After all, you are spending your hard earned cash so you have a right to be fully informed before making that purchase.
7. Being unrealistic about your lifestyle
If you are a person who has young children and have one living room you all share, you are not going to go for that snow white fabric sofa are you? Well you can as long as you are prepared to panic everytime your children come in the room with a set of colouring pens. Catch my drift? When shopping for furniture, the temptation to buy something that draws your attention will always be there. That I cannot deny, but do consider if it will work for you and the people you live with. Consider your lifestyle always and invest in something that works with how you live.
8. Not setting a budget
My favourite word that seems to throw a lot of people off balance. Budget!! Always have a budget. This not only narrows down your search but also ensures you stick to what you have planned on getting. Budgeting saves you money, time and helps you stay disciplined.
9. Not doing your research
If you can, do research on the quality of fabrics and materials. It’s good to know what you are buying and the quality that comes with it. You do not want to be overcharged for poor quality and craftsmanship. It pays to do a little bit of research here and there.
10. Not considering store’s return policy
There will always be occasions when what you bought is not what you hoped for. Furniture can be expensive and it’s always good to know if you have the option to return something faulty. Always ensure you know what the company returns policy states. Check the consumer rights regulations in your region. Where there is no returns policy, do more research and ask questions. Be sure you are happy with what you are buying because once you make the transaction, that is it.
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This is really helpful.
I’m glad you found it helpful.