What A Novice Needs To Know About Furniture
Do you hate furniture shopping? Would you rather hide under the covers of your bed than go out again? Would you prefer to watch paint peel? If so, your problem is likely that you aren't shopping with knowledge behind you. This article has some simple strategies to make yourself a better shopper.
Before purchasing a piece of furniture, always open drawers and doors. You should not purchase a piece of furniture if the drawers do not open all the way and close evenly. Make sure the doors stay open and close properly. You should also check the knobs or handles to make sure they are properly attached.
If you want to be absolutely sure that you are getting a piece of furniture made with forest management practices in mind, look for the FSC certification. There are a number of certifications around, many of which are good. However, the FSC certification in particular is respected internationally for forest management.
Don't be afraid to haggle. In this way, furniture is like a car. There's typically a lot of mark up in that price. You can normally get anywhere from 10% up to 20% off when you are a confident haggler. You may feel a little weird doing it, but it could save you hundreds of dollars.
Always test out a piece of reclining furniture before you bring it home. A lot of shoppers do not test this, and are later disappointed at home when they find out that it doesn't work. It is hard to return the item at some furniture stores.
If the sofa you are considering has patterned upholstery, make sure it is aligned properly. Some cheap couches will have patterned fabric that doesn't line up correctly. Only choose a piece where the pattern lines up. Pick another sofa if the tailoring isn't looking good.
When purchasing a leather sofa, check its base very carefully to see if the leather is dyed evenly everywhere. If you notice some white gauze under the sofa, it is made out of vinyl. A genuine leather sofa should be evenly dyed, even under the sofa and between the cushions.
If you are moving into an apartment as a young single person, do not purchase heavy and expensive furniture. It is likely you will eventually marry and possibly purchase a home. A few quality pieces in a classic style is probably best since that makes moving easier, and your style preferences may change.
When you decide to purchase used furniture, do not let small scratches scare you away. Usually, these small flaws can easily be fixed from the comfort of your own home. It will be much cheaper to fix these little issues on your own rather than purchasing brand new furniture altogether.
Make sure the used furniture you are considering isn't on some sort of recall list. That's a big problem with used furniture. There could be hidden dangers that you'd normally never see when buying new. You can do a simple web search to help you discover whether the piece you are looking for is ok.
Size needs to be an important factor when it comes to figuring out which furniture to purchase. You can see the most beautiful sofa or table, but if it does not fit in your home, it may not be wise to get it. You may want to measure the area where you plan to put the furniture prior to heading to the store.
Measure your space before shopping for furniture. An "eyeballed" measurement won't cut it here. You need to be exact as even a few inches can be a big deal for how your home design will work out. You'll be a much more confident shopper when you know the exact dimensions that you need.
If you have a lot of furniture to buy, think about whether it would be worth it to get a credit card from the store you want to purchase from. You can often get a discount that way. However, be careful to only purchase what you can afford, and pay off the amount immediately. That way, you won't owe anything.
These techniques have been used by countless others to make furniture shopping more enjoyable, so put them to use yourself. You'll find your next trip out is one which doesn't leave you so frustrated. In the end, you'll find the furnishings you need and your home will be more comfortable than ever.