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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Take stock of your lifestyle before you choose your furniture. If you like to host dinner parties, you may want to select a dining table with an extra leaf. If you have kids or pets, you'll probably want upholstery that is easy to clean and will conceal wear and tear. Similarly, be practical when you're testing out furniture in the store. If that chair feels uncomfortable after a brief perch, it won’t feel any better after you've been sitting in it for a long time.

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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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