Furniture Buying Tips

Measure.

Don't find the perfect piece of furniture only to have it not fit the space when you get it home. That's where checking the dimensions comes in handy. Have your interior designer place the selected furniture on a furniture floor plan of your space.  Sometimes it looks one way in the store or picture, but in reality, it could be completely different. If you are not working with an interior designer, whether you're buying online or in the store, place blue tape in the room (marking where the furniture will be) to see how the dimensions of the item work in the space. 

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Get Swatches.

Sure, that sofa may look great on the computer screen or in the showroom, but in your home, it could be a completely different story — especially when it comes to the color. If you are working with an interior designer, he or she will most likely get you swatches of the selected upholstery fabric.  If you are not, ask the online store or showroom for sample swatches of the fabric. This way you can get an idea what the item may look like in your home's lighting. Though some companies may charge you a small fee, you're better off spending $10 for a few samples than being stuck with a $10,000.00 sofa that's the wrong color.

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Comfort.

As much as you're tempted to buy that ultra-sleek sofa, it might not be the right fit for your comfort level or style of the room. In my experience, it's really better to test out seating and take the time to look at the dimensions. Most vendors offer a standard depth of 36 inches for a sofa, but if you're taller, you might want to opt for something between 40 to 42 inches, which is the Luxe depth. Unless you have a super modern family room, sleeker pieces are probably not the best fit. Ask yourself: What's the use of the sofa? Where will it be located? Who's going to use it?

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Rug Selection.

When it comes to shopping for textiles, rugs especially, you're better off going in person. It's just so hard to tell on a computer screen what the color really looks like.  You might think it looks red but in reality it's watermelon pink.  Another thing you can miss online: texture. A chunky or fuzzy rug, for example, could turn out to be a pain later. They look great, but they can be very annoying when they make it difficult to open a door or move a chair.  Bottom line: Always judge whether a rug will work in your space in person.

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Delivery.

Another important question to ask, especially for apartment dwellers here in Philadelphia: How will you get the furniture inside your home? A lot of people, and even interior design professionals, have dealt with a piece of furniture not fitting in an elevator.  Height, width and depth of the furniture piece are important to note when checking to see if it will fit in your elevator.  You can try reaching out to your property manager for access to the elevator interior dimensions.  Some vendors may also be able to break off certain parts of the furniture – and replace them after – to help fit the item through your door or narrow corridors. Otherwise, you might just have to scrap it.  It's better to be safe than left with an expensive piece you can't return.

The most important message from this post is, don't feel as if you have to buy all your furniture at once.  Take your time and stick with an affordable plan to transform your house into a home.  I hope you found this blog post helpful.  Drop me a note below if you enjoyed it!

In addition to being a Philadelphia Interior Designer for the residential community, we also design boutique hotels, fitness centers, office spaces, multi family development projects, other commercial spaces such as retail spaces, and the senior living community throughout the tri state area.  We work here in Philadelphia, the main line, and even Nationally!  If you enjoyed reading this piece please leave a comment and let us know.  AND, let's get social.  Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and connect on LinkedIn!