Looking for helpful furniture shopping tips to avoid common furniture buying mistakes? The experts at Living Designs Furniture are here to help! We believe that furniture is an investment, so it’s important to shop for pieces the right way to avoid buyer’s remorse later on.
What factors are important when buying furniture? The quality of the materials used, the craftsmanship, the size, and how it incorporates into your lifestyle are key factors to consider when shopping for furniture. Unfortunately, many consumers don’t prioritize these characteristics when buying pieces from a large retailer, which can result in furniture purchases that they don’t love, and cause them to replace them sooner rather than later.
However, if you take the time to look over these furniture buying mistakes ahead of time, you can save time and money, and avoid the heartache that comes from a bad buy.
Mistake #1: Exclusively buying furniture online
In a time where buyers are prioritizing convenience, buying furniture online seems like the obvious choice over shopping in-store. You don’t have to leave your home, you may get better deals, and it’ll get delivered to your doorstep in days — right? Wrong.
We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we care about your shopping experience. Online shopping for something as important as furniture is not always the best route to take. For starters, you won’t know exactly what you’re buying until it shows up at your door. You won’t know how the fabric feels, how firm the cushions are, or how comfortable it is overall. And if you don’t like it, you may have to go through a grueling return process or be stuck with it, which is just money down the drain.
Online listings can often be deceiving, which is why we recommend that every shopper comes to our showroom in person to learn everything about the piece(s) they are purchasing.
Mistake #2: Not measuring your space beforehand
This happens to be one of the most common mistakes when buying a sofa specifically. Imagine buying a beautiful couch only to realize it can’t even fit through your front door! Although furniture listings may include dimensions, you risk trusting potentially misleading numbers and ending up with a piece that is too big or too small. Your furniture should be dictated by your space, not the other way around.
Before purchasing any furniture, measure the length and width of every room that will house your new pieces. Then, measure the door so you know your pieces can actually make it into your home. Jot those numbers down and keep them handy for when you go shopping.
Mistake #3: Buying fast furniture
If you’re wondering what to avoid when buying furniture, avoid fast furniture brands at all costs. Fast furniture refers to large retailers that sell trendy and cheaply made furniture for a low price. These companies are not reliable and don’t deserve your hard-earned money — and with massive shipping delays, you may not see your furniture for months after you buy it.
Buying trendy items that may go out of style and lose your interest is one of the most prevalent furniture buying mistakes a consumer can make today. Whether it’s a matching set of couches and chairs or over-the-top pieces that don’t integrate well into your home, trendy furniture is not an investment you should make.
Fast furniture is not durable and in turn not long-lasting. You will have to replace these items every few years either to wear and tear or because your personal taste changes. Even those low price tags can add up very quickly. Investing in high-quality traditional furniture that will never go out of style is key to curating a look and feel for your home that you’ll love for years to come.
Mistake #4: Not buying furniture for your lifestyle
This tip may come as a surprise, but it is one that should not be overlooked. Aside from choosing furniture that aligns with your personal style, you should also find furniture that aligns with your lifestyle. Here at Living Designs Furniture, we believe that furniture is meant to be lived on. This is why we create what we like to call livable home furniture. Let us explain.
If you are someone who has children, pets, or loves to host guests, your furniture choices need to be more durable in order to last longer. For example, someone who owns a black dog and loves to drink red wine should probably avoid buying a white linen couch to avoid excessive staining and wear and tear. However, most people end up making their furniture choices based on aesthetics and not on practicality.
When choosing furniture for your home, think about what types of materials would suit you best. Do you need a couch made out of fabric vs. leather? Do you need a large sectional or multiple armchairs for extra seating? Speaking with an expert about what you need from your furniture can help us determine what may be best for you and your home.
Avoid furniture buying mistakes with Living Designs Furniture
Make furniture buying mistakes a thing of the past. Say goodbye to couches that are too large or trendy chaises that you don’t even like — and, most importantly, say goodbye to flushing money down the drain.
Investing in quality furniture that is perfect for your lifestyle and your home is the most cost-effective and fulfilling decision you can make. Living Designs Furniture is a local furniture manufacturer that creates ready-to-purchase pieces with customizable options that can suit any budget and home. We also offer full custom furniture services for those with a vision that need help bringing it to life.
The best way to avoid furniture buying mistakes is to shop in our Downtown Houston showroom. Our experts make it easy for you to shop for furniture that is right for you. Your dream furniture, and in turn your dream home, may be just one visit away.
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