Buying furniture online is one of the best ways to welcome yourself into a new apartment. If you want to make this significant change in your home, here are the top ways to find and buy new furniture.
Figure Out Your Budget
This step is vital to take before you buy anything. It doesn’t matter if you think that there’s no way you’ll overspend; you need to put a budget in place to rein yourself in. Many couches can go well over a thousand dollars, and bedroom sets can have their prices go dizzyingly high. It’s best if you don’t set yourself up for sticker shock instead of settling down with what you want to pay first. Some furniture stores offer payment options, while others allow for you to put a piece of furniture on layaway to pay it off as you go. You can set up a monthly budget for yourself for these options if they’re available.
Measure Your Spaces
Next, take the time to figure out what you can fit in your rooms. You can draw out a map of your home and measure the actual spaces to figure out where you can do what and if you’ll be able even to get some of your new furniture through the door. When you measure your spaces, ensure that there’s also walking room and space for you to move around in your rooms. New furniture is excellent, but it isn’t essential if it makes your rooms unusable.
Decide Your Tastes and Needs
What style do you like? What colors catch your eye? Do you care if something is sustainably made? Consider all of your options, and come up with a quick list of ‘needs’ and ‘wants.’ Your needs may include a table being sourced ethically, while your wants may be that the table has rounded legs. A need is something you can’t go without, while a want is something that you’d prefer but could go without having. This step will make shopping more comfortable and less hectic for you.
Online Shopping Pros and Cons
Shopping online feels like the top way to go these days. Not only is shipping often free, but you can also find a more extensive range of options available to you. Unfortunately, there are a couple of drawbacks. One sad thing about online shopping for furniture is that you can’t try it out until your new couch or chair arrives. You may think you love the look of a chair online and then realize you have to look at St. Albert real estate because the office chair needs hardwood instead of the carpet you need.
In-Person Shopping Pros and Cons
If you’re shopping in person, you get to enjoy sitting on or touching the furniture before you buy it. This shopping type gives you the chance to feel the fabric and see if the heights and lengths think right. Unfortunately, there are a couple of issues people find with shopping in person. If you can’t transport the furniture home on your own: many charge a delivery fee, and returning things can be a significant pain if it doesn’t work out.
Tips on Buying Furniture Online
Purchasing furniture online can be a tricky business because you never know what you are going to receive. Many people have shared their furniture-buying horror stories, but sometimes some pieces are too perfect to ignore. If you find a furniture piece you like online or cannot visit regular shops, here are a few tips for online furniture shopping.
Read Product Reviews
Reading product reviews is a surefire way of figuring out if the shop is going to deliver what they promise. Always check how many stars customers have given a particular product when shopping online. Bad products typically have between 1 to 3 stars. However, reading the reviews is perhaps the most helpful because they tell you exactly why they did not like a particular product.
Not all brands have the option to leave a review, so if the shop you plan on purchasing for doesn’t, try to find some online at different places that review online shops. You can also check out furniture groups on Facebook and ask if someone has purchased from that particular store.
Get Swatches & Samples
Many online shops offer the option to get swatches and samples because sometimes the only way to tell whether or not a fabric is suitable is by holding it in your hand and feeling it. Some materials are pretty common, and everyone knows what they feel like. Still, shops often have their own blends and unique colors that are best judged by looking at and feeling a physical sample.
Consider Construction Quality
When purchasing from an online shop, you should evaluate the construction of the furniture piece before you purchase it. When purchasing wood furniture, ensure that the wood is solid and of the highest quality. If you plan on purchasing upholstered pieces, check for hardwood frames that are attached using high-quality dowels and screws.
Since you will be spending a significant amount, ensure that the company has a return and refund policy so you can return the piece if you do not like it.
Conclusion
Buying furniture is exciting because it allows your space to feel more personal and to your style. However, you must be cautious when purchasing furniture because it is an investment. If you don’t like it or it does not fit, you will have to go through the trouble of returning it and looking for a different piece.