7 Mistakes Everyone Makes When Shopping for Furniture

You're looking for furniture to fill the home you have today, but it would be shortsighted not to consider how your life—and living space—may change in the next several years. If, for example, you're considering a move within the next five years, think about how your square footage might shrink or expand, how you'll use the space, and where your furniture would go. An eye toward the future is also wise when you're shopping for "forever" pieces like sofas and dining tables. Be especially wary of trends. This year's "it" design may be tomorrow's 1970s avocado green, so ask yourself if you're ready to commit to a risky style for the next decade. In short, shop with both the present and future in mind.

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Before you shop, do some browsing—in stores and online. Taking the time to window-shop will help you learn your options and average costs before you settle on something you see on the showroom floor. Rely on reviews from reputable sources to determine the quality of the stores you're visiting as well as the brands and pieces you'd like to buy. This is especially important if you're planning on ordering online, where you cannot see, touch, or test out the furniture in person. If your favorite chair or sofa has mostly negative reviews, you should probably reconsider your purchase rather than becoming another disappointed customer.

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Furniture is staged to look great in a showroom, but you need to imagine what it will look like in your home. So, ignore the pushy salesperson or the voice in your head telling you to hurry up. Instead, slow down and be methodical in your shopping. While you're at the store, test every piece you like—open and close the drawers, sit on the sofa for a few minutes, check the sturdiness of the TV stand. Be sure to take pictures and bring fabric swatches home with you so you can get a sense of how each piece would look in your space. You’re about to spend your hard-earned money, so do so wisely.

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Decide on a budget before you shop, then actually stick to it. If possible, pay in cash that you've set aside for the purchase so you wan't be tempted to spend more than you intended. Although many stores will encourage you to open a store credit card to purchase a big-ticket item, don't feel pressured to sign up. A line of credit with a low interest rate may sound like a deal, but keep in mind that the interest will add up, and your furniture will end up costing you much more than you had planned to spend. Remember, this is a major purchase that you'll enjoy for years, and you'll enjoy it much more if you know it didn't leave you thousands of dollars in debt!

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With these lessons in mind, start shopping for the furniture you need to complete your space. The next time you plop down on your new sofa, you’ll have the peace of mind knowing that you spent your hard-earned money wisely.

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