Expert advice to thwart uncomfy sofas and buyers remorse.
That is unless youve gone and made a major, spontaneous purchase.
Then, you just might find yourself facing an over-extended budget and buyers regret.
Credit:Emily Followill; Design by Wyeth Ray Interiors
Furniture is one thing that should never be bought on a whim.
Shopping unprepared might just be the biggest furniture woe yet.
Purchasing furniture isnt likepurchasing artwork, says Whitney Ray, a Georgia-based interior designer.
Credit:Laurey W. Glenn
With art, you’re able to almost always find a home for it.
Artwork doesnt need to necessarily work with anything else in the space.
Its best to have a furniture layout for a space so you have a long-term plan.
It also helps to avoid ending up with pieces that dont end up working.
Solution: Be Strategic With Spending Money
you better be strategic about which pieces youre investing in.
Mistake #3: Overlooking Function
Considering function before shopping is top priority, designers say.
Think about functionality for a space, says Agee.
Having an idea of what will function best helps you spend less time searching for the right piece.
Mistake #4: Living Solely In The Moment
When shopping for furniture, think long-term.
Interior designers agree that considering longevity is critical, both from a quality and design perspective.
Ray recommends avoidingshort-lived trendsand asking yourself the questions: Will I love this in five years?
Of course, if you spot a one-of-a-kind piece that you love, you should go for it!
Furniture shouldnt be purchased simply because you have a hole to fill, says Ray.
It should be something that caught your eye compared to all of the other options.
Something that drew you in.
Solution: Be Okay With Temporary Solutions
Some pieces of furniture have long wait or shipping times.
Mistake #6: Taking Furniture At Face Value
Looks arent everything.
As with people, beauty has to come from the inside.
In fact, if something must slip through the cracks, it should be design over quality.
Quality pieces can be transformed with paint, a new finish, or new hardware, too.
Do your research on the quality of the piece, Ray advises.
Look for thicker upholstery with plenty of cushion.
Mistake #8: One-Stop-Shopping
Do notone-stop-shopfor your room, Brannon pleads.
Mix it up from various places and select colors, patterns, and textures that are interesting!
This could make your home look boring or genericplus, you may not be getting the best deal.
Comparing multiple pieces helps me eliminate which ones arent my favorite.
This helps me feel like Im making the best decision and prevents buyers remorse.
If it feels clunky or off in the space, it probably is.
The best way to style your space, designers say, is to mix and match.
I love when various design styles are used cohesively in one space, Agee says.
My favorite rooms incorporateold and new piecesin various finishes.
Its fun to mix a neoclassical antique with a mid-century modern piece, and sleek current upholstered pieces.
Mixing styles and finishes helps a space feel collected and personal to the homeowner.
A new coat of paint or fabric cant fix a bad silhouette.
I look for silhouettes that are sleek and timeless.
you could also ask a sales associate when the next promotion is, too.
Mistake #12: Only Buying Online
Shopping online has quite literally opened the world to people.
Compare prices of the piece, look at company reviews, and the stores return policies.
If youre able to see the piece in personand order it later onlinedo so.
Sometimes, in-person a piece you loved in the picture falls flat.
And theyre great to customize with your own style.
Youll probably shed an angry tear or two.
And a cabinet face could look crooked.
Mix flat-pack furniture with pre-built or more unique pieces to give your room some depth and interest.
Additionally, some flat-pack stores will assemble the furniture.
It may come with an additional fee, but that fee may be worth it.
Or, when you see an online ad for a brand-new boucle chair, and you hit buy now.
However, buying everything new for your spacecan get costlyand can easily blow your budget.
Secondhand furniture to look for includes chests, footstools, dining tables, chairs, and vintage rugs.
and be wary of scams before you buy.
Hazen T.How Much Does It Cost to Furnish a House?
(2024).HomeGuide.
Published November 14, 2023.
