So you're ready for a fresh new start and saved enough money to get new furniture finally! Where should you start? Are there wrongs or rights to this shopping-for-furniture thing? As a decorator who works with custom furniture, I'll share what many don't think about...
Warning: Advice may have you think about the ridiculously uncomfortable sofa you've got hidden in your basement because of the last impulse buy you made when looking around. But hang with me! You can do this!
"Having a professional to answer the critical questions you haven't thought about will be a lifesaver."
1) Don't Create a Budget
When it comes to furnishing a room, a budget has to be one of the first things you have to tackle. Especially, if you want to get more than one item or plan to complete more than one room. Otherwise, you will find yourself with a very nice-looking item with nothing to complement it.
Think of your room project like your favorite dish your mom used to make. It had ingredients that were different but all of them blended well to come together to make a wonderful, mouth-filling, scrumptious meal! Same with your room! You have different pieces that must go with each other for a nice, cohesive look. Everything won't be the same, but they must "talk" to one another. And since it takes more than one piece to do that, you likely have to plan on purchasing more than one piece.
Your budget will help you accomplish that and stick to a realistic timeline. It is your guardrail to keep you focused on the road to completion!
Here is a downloadable, printable budget checklist link that helps you plan the budget for your project!
Tip: Make a list of things you need in order of priority. Next, see what the high-low price range is for each item to decide what you are comfortable spending.
2) Forget to Measure
This one! This step is so crucial! Nothing is more unnerving to me as a decorator than a crowded room. And yes, furniture that is too big for a room feels suffocating! There are so many clients that I've gone to consult for that have made the mistake of buying furniture that is too large for the room. Once that mistake is made, it's one of the hardest things to decorate around because it takes most, if not all, attention when walking into the room.
Measuring involves being aware of the scale of furniture. Take note of the width, height, and depth because it all plays into the flow of the space which we'll get into later.
3) Skip on Doing Research
Get to know the brand that fits your budget and your comfort level! The quality and life expectancy of your furniture should affect how much you are willing to pay for it.
For instance, when it comes to spring construction an 8-way hand-tied sofa is considered the gold standard for durability and resilience. (It can last for about 10-15 years if you sit on it each day) Another type of construction is furniture made with sinuous springs that make up most entry-level to mid-level pieces. (Expect it to last 5-7 years)
Don't forget about the differences in cushions! For instance, foam cushions tend to be firmer and keep their shape longer whereas down-wrapped cushions will flatten over time but can be fluffed and are super soft!
4) Neglect to Layout space
This goes hand-in-hand with the measuring step. However, laying out the space goes beyond just getting a measuring tape to see if it will fit in the room.
The layout involves considering the traffic pattern, how much space you need to have between the wall and sofa, the door openings, and more. Because the layout of a space is so unique to its own, there's generally not one answer that fits all situations but here are a few tips to get started:
Tips for Layout
leave 30"-36" for a high-traffic area
if placing 2 swivel chairs beside each other, place at least the chair's depth between them
gliding chairs work best in an open area away from a wall
most reclining chairs need 18"-20" wall clearance to fully recline/ wall huggers generally need 5"
5) Don't Make Sure it Can Get in the room
Now, think about it! What if you'd spent all that time sticking to a wonderfully planned budget, got the right cushions just for you, and decided on a perfect layout only to find that you can't even get it in your house? EEEEEEEEKKKK! Don't make that error!
Running into this problem can be because of the size of the furniture, the height of the ceilings, and even the walls on the other side of the doorway.
For example, tall high-back sofa deliveries are easiest when there are doors. Delivering furniture upstairs can be a challenge because of the narrow hallways it has to travel through. Keep these things in mind when choosing your furnishings!
Need advice?
Sometimes it takes another set of eyes to get the ball rolling and for you to be confident of your next furniture purchase. It can be a daunting and intimidating decision to make especially if all you can think about is that hideous sofa that is too big for the room standing out like a sore thumb.
Have a home consultation either online or in person to settle all your doubts and make a great decision! The top worries I hear from clients are "Will it fit?" and "Do I have enough room?" And while these are necessary questions to ask, having a professional to answer the critical questions you haven't thought about will be a lifesaver.
It will save you money getting qualified advice rather than making another costly mistake. Schedule an online or in-person consultation with the link below to get your room project started!
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