Whether you are furnishing your dream home or your first post-college apartment, it is important to choose the right furniture store for your needs. That does not necessarily mean choosing the least expensive store in town, but it does mean finding the store with the best value.
Here are some tips you can use to choose the best furniture stores in town and get the most for your money. These tips apply no matter how much (or how little) money you have or what type of space you are furnishing.
Set a Budget – and Stick to it
It is easy to get carried away when shopping for furniture, but it is important to set a budget and stick to it. Whether you have $100 to spend or $2,000, setting a realistic budget should be your first step.
Before you set foot in any local furniture store, you need to know how much you have to spend. If your budget is limited, you may have to forgo that high-end furniture store, but always keep in mind that high quality trumps a low price every time.
Do Not Confuse Price with Value
Everyone wants to get the best price, but a low price is no value if the furniture falls apart after just a few years. A high quality bedroom set or sofa that still looks like new after a decade is a far better value than a cheaper set that starts to show its age and flake apart after a year or two.
When you consider the hassle of getting rid of an old worn out set of furniture, choosing the best quality you can afford becomes even more important. While you do not want to exceed your maximum budget, do not be afraid to spend a bit more for a higher quality set of furniture.
Ask Your Friends and Neighbors
When you visit friends and relatives whose furnishings you admire, ask them where they got their pieces. The answers they give will help you choose the best furniture stores and get the best value.
Even if your friends got their furniture in another city, you can check the maker’s mark to see which company made the pieces. Once you know which furniture makers you like, you can call local furniture stores until you find a retailer that handles that brand.
Choosing great furniture is not always easy, but knowing what to look for and how to shop can help a great deal. Whether you are furnishing a single room or an entire house, choosing the right furniture store can help you find the best value and get the most for your money.
