Dear Decorator… How Do I Avoid Costly Mistakes When I Buy Furniture?
Dear Abby… I mean Wendy & Lyndsay,
I'm a busy working Mom struggling with buying furniture for my living room.
It's so frustrating trying to put all the pieces together.
My biggest concerns are:
I'm on a budget, and I don't want to overspend.
And I don't want to buy the wrong things.
Then be disappointed and have to live with my mistake for years.
I’ve already made that mistake.
Whenever I try getting help at a furniture store everything gets more complicated...”
Either I feel like I’m being judged by the salespeople…
Or I’m so overwhelmed with all the options - I just quit.
Could you suggest a master checklist or some designer magic - to make this EASIER for me?
I'm exhausted, trying to figure this out on my own.
Signed,
Frustrated Furniture Buyer
Dear Frustrated,
The first thing we want you to know is you're not alone, and it's not your fault.
This is exactly the kind of thing we've helped thousands of women work through.
Here's our Master Checklist & Pro-Tips to help you think through - your individual situation.
How To Avoid Overspending & Regret
When You Buy Furniture
Step 1 - Observation
(Take a notepad and spend time in your “living room” with these questions in mind.)
- How is the room being used now?
- How do you want it to be used?
- Who is going to be using the room? (Include pets)
- What activities are they going to be doing there?
- What is the traffic flow now? Do you want to keep that way, or change it?
Step 2 - Does the Furniture Match Your Personal Style (FYI: Style preferences change. If it
doesn’t fit with your personal taste and the overall design style of the room, you’ll kick yourself.)
- Have you determined what decorating style you’re going to use?
- Does the furniture you’re considering work with that style?
- Do you have any good visuals of your style?
Pro-Tip:
Not sure what your style is?
Take our Free Design Style Quiz
And Get Your Free Training Video
Free Style Quiz and Guide
Step 3 - Sizing & Measuring
- Consider the size of the room and the furniture layout; if you’re unsure, sketch a few variations on graph paper. Or try the Blue-tape Pro-Tip we’re giving you.)
- Measure the space where the new couch will go to ensure it will fit.
- Consider the size and scale of other furniture in the room.
- Doors - nothing is more frustrating than buying the perfect piece of furniture and then learning it won’t fit through the door. Measure your doors too! 🙂
Step 4 - Consider The Practically of the Fabrics (couch or chairs)
(What fabrics are going to work? Different materials have different properties, such as durability, comfort, and maintenance requirements. Consider the needs of your space.)
- Appearance: The fabric can have a big impact on its appearance. You want to think about a fabric that fits the overall look and feel you want to create in your space.
- Comfort: The fabric creates 90% of the comfort level.
Some fabrics, such as microfiber, are known for being soft and cozy, while others, such as leather, maybe more durable but less comfortable.
Consider the level of comfort you want and choose a fabric that meets your needs. - Durability: Consider the level of wear and tear the furniture is likely to experience and choose a suitable fabric for your needs.
- Maintenance: Consider how much time and effort you will put into maintaining your couch and choose a fabric that meets your needs. Consider spills and cleanup from kids, pets, and sloppy spouses.
Step 5 - Budget Considerations
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Set a budget for your furniture and stick to it.
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This will help you narrow down your options and make the decision-making process easier.
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Second-hand furniture can often be a great option and helps keep costs down.
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Recovering & repurposing current pieces is also an option.
Step 6 - Vendor Considerations… Who Are You Buying From and Why?
- Can you test it out before you buy it? If possible, sit on the furniture to get a sense of its comfort level.
- Consider the delivery and assembly process: Consider how the couch will be delivered and whether it will require assembly. Make sure that you have a plan in place for these steps. Consider any additional costs or challenges to returning the item.
- Review the return policy: Be sure you know the store's return policy. In case you need to return the pieces.
- Consider whether you will need to pay any fees or restocking charges if you need to return the furniture. Pro Tip: Save the box the item came in until you are 100% sure the item is for you. Often one of the most costly aspects of returns can be the shipping box.
We’ve found this checklist - helps to streamline or eliminate
90% of the problems we see when people buy furniture.
If you are looking for additional HELP.
Take a look at our most popular solutions, including our Design Lounge / Facebook Group and working directly with us! :-)
>>CLICK HERE>>
We’re here for you!
Wendy & Lyndsay,
We believe a beautiful room is like being in love.
If you’ve never had it, you don't know what you’re missing.
But once you “feel it” you don’t want to live without it!
Dear Decorator Series:
How Do I STOP 2nd-Guessing Myself And Avoid Costly Mistakes?
I’m BUSY with Life How Do I Keep Everything Organized When I’m Working On A Project?
How Can I Mistake-Proof My Home Decorating Projects?
How Can I Know My Project Will Work BEFORE I Spend Any Money?
How Does A Mood Board Help Me Get Professional Results And Keep My Project On Track?
I Think I Have Inspiration Overload or Pinterest Paralysis What Should I Do? /Is There a Cure?
How Can I Recover From Inspiration Overload and Pinterest Paralysis?
Are Mood Boards Really Worth the Effort?
Home Decorating is Hard! How Can I Stay Motivated When I Feel Overwhelmed Or Stuck?
Our Mission:
Lyndsay & Wendy
“We're here to help you decorate your home so it brings you joy and delight every day, without driving yourself crazy during the process.”