8 questions to ask yourself before buying furniture

1. Will it fit through the doors?
This is a decisive factor. It can make or break your plans. If you intend to purchase a big piece of furniture, it is better to ask the sales representative for a clearance measure. This usually involves measuring all doors, hallways, and clearance length between all interior and exterior walls. This will ensure that you are buying the right furniture that can pass through your doors and avert any hassles while relocating.

2. How and who is going to utilize the furniture?
If you are looking for specific furniture, you should determine how you want to use it and who will use it. This will help you buy the right product suitable to your needs. For example, a delicate colour or fabric would not work well in a room where small children play. Similarly, hard sit-outs in a family room is essential. If you throw parties regularly, you need to select furniture that can accommodate more people without cramping up the space. Keep in mind the number of family members. If you have kids, you may need to buy more robust pieces. Similarly, if pets are part of your family, you will need to consider the best fabric and colour choices. Avoid upholstery in light colours to save you the hassle of changing it very often. As pets shed lot of hair, there are some fabrics which collect more hair than others. Enquire before you buy them.

3. What are the features to look out for?
The corners and legs of the furniture is a very important aspect of furniture. Check whether the legs are stable and firm. Avoid furniture with sharp and blunt corners to avoid injuries. Also, see that the furniture is smooth. You can run your hands on it to verify the same. Ensure the gluing, nailing and pasting are in place. For a recliner or sofa, the springs have to be intact. It should have a soft feel and zig-zag coils that goes down when you sit and retracts back immediately. On the other hand, firm seating should have coiled springs. If you have lot of guest coming around, choose metal furniture. For the study area, opt for a colourful desk instead of the monotonous wooden desk to make studying enjoyable for kids. If you plan to buy upholstered furniture, enquire about the quality of fabric with the salesman. Touch and feel to understand the quality yourself. This will ensure you are investing on the right product.

4. How long do you want the furniture to last?
When you purchase furniture, you assume that it will last for a few years. This is fine if you stay in a rented place and are used to relocating often. However, if you plan to invest in furniture that lasts for a lifetime, ensure that you research and spend the right amount to get the right quality of furniture. If your budget permits, hardwood furniture is an excellent option because it lasts long and is durable.

5. Can you use the furniture for multiple purposes?
If furniture serves multiple purposes, it will be a great add-on especially in a small space. This also helps you save you money in the long run as you don’t need to shop for different kinds of furniture.

6. What is the function of the space?
This will help you determine the right kind of furniture. For example, if you plan to watch movies at night, comfortable seating will be required or consider modern ones for visual appeal. As furniture is meant to complement and enhance your space, keep it mind its placement before you buy one.You don’t want your coffee table dwarfed by a too-large sofa.

7. Does the colour of your furniture complement the interiors of your home?
Before you shortlist your furniture, keep the colour of your interiors in mind to avoid any mismatch. The fabric, texture and finish should complement the decor of your home. Whenever in doubt, neutral colour furniture is your best bet.

8. Are you falling in the trap of following trends?
​In the attempt to get the perfect match, you may opt to buy things just because they are in trend. Instead of falling into the ‘trend’ trap, keep in mind the furniture you already have. This will help you choosethe right style for your home. You can also selectcoloursthat enhance your mood.Since there will be various options on offer, consider your budget and look around, research before shortlisting your pieces.