Things to Know Before Buying Furniture

Buying furniture can be a bit overwhelming. If you know exactly what you’re looking for it can make things easier, but if you have no idea…well, that’s an entirely different creature. There are so many factors to consider when purchasing a new sofa or mattress or dining room table. How do you know what you’re buying will last? What’s the best material? What questions should you ask the salespeople before purchasing? Will it fit into the space you want? These tips will help make the process a whole lot easier.

1. Before buying, there are several questions you should get answers to, from the retailer you’re using. Ask if there’s a warranty on the item and what the store’s return policies are. Ask about the business’s product guarantees. And be sure to ask how long it will take for your purchase to be delivered plus how much that delivery will cost.
2. What should you invest in? You want to invest the most in pieces that you’ll be using on a daily basis and/or that get a lot of traffic – think sofas, dining room table, rugs, and beds. Your mattress is another item where you should get the best quality you can afford. Sleep is important! You can save money on smaller purchases such as side tables or mirrors or consoles.
3. Your sofa may be the second most important piece of furniture in your home (after your bed) so you want to make sure you’re buying one best suited for your needs. Check that the material is suitable for pets, children, & spills if you have those in your life. Look at the cushions to make sure they’re stuffed properly. Check that seams are well-made. And finally SIT on every chair & sofa you can. Having a beautiful sofa means nothing if it isn’t also comfortable!
4. When it comes to fabrics, you should always ask the salesperson what the “rub count” is. The more “rubs” a fabric has the more durable it is.
5. Do your research. Before going to a store, look online – find out where the item you’re looking at is made and what it’s made out of. Check reviews for not only the item but also the store itself. Ask friends who might have the same piece you want what their opinions are. The better prepared you are beforehand, the easier the process will be (and with less surprises!).
6. Whether an item fits into your home is essential. Measure the space where you want to place the piece before purchase – the best way to do this is to take a measuring tape + painter’s blue tape & mark the dimensions on your floor. With the area marked, you can better visualize how the space will look.
7. Look for sales. Sometimes stores (like us!) will have their current ads on their website, but if you come across a place that does not, just ask a store manager whether they have any discounts or sales going on (or coming up). Most of the time they’ll be more than happy to let you know!

Purchasing furniture doesn’t have to be an intimidating process. Doing the above will help you be better prepared for your furniture buying journey and help negate any unpleasant surprises.

Here at Suburban we’re more than happy to help you out with whatever you need. Our salespeople are knowledgeable & ready to answer any question you may have. Plus, you can visit our website ahead of time to look through our selection and find out current ad. So, call us anytime at 973-927-7100 or stop by. Happy shopping!

Avoid These Common Furniture Buying Mistakes

Buying furniture is a BIG DEAL. Besides purchasing a car and home, furniture is one of the biggest items a person buys (not just size, but price). It’s also another one of those items that will (hopefully) be around for a very long time, so choosing just the right pieces of furniture for your home requires time and care. Whether you’re purchasing your first sofa or are on your third dining table, there are some common mistakes people tend to make that you’ll want to avoid.

1. Not considering your lifestyle and future. Sometimes we see a piece of furniture that’s just SO beautiful or SO cool that we immediately say, “Mine!” without stopping to consider how it will be to actually LIVE with it. Do you have kids and/or pets? Then you need sturdy furniture that can withstand anything that’s thrown at it (literally & figuratively). If you or your family are on the messy side, unfortunately, that white chair is NOT for you. See what we mean? You also need to consider how long you plan to keep a piece (especially if it’s a splurge). Most people buy furniture with the intention of keeping it, well, forever, but what does the future look like? Will you be adding children to your family? If so, that loveseat might be a bit on the wee side. Is there a chance you could be moving in the next couple of years for work? The future can’t be foretold, we know, but consider what your plans are before you purchase!

2. Not visualizing. Don’t just think about how a new piece of furniture will look in the room, period. Think about how it will look with the current furniture already there. Does it work? It can sometimes be hard to be in a store and visualize how an item will work in a room, so ask for color swatches to bring home. Some places, like Amazon, even have cool virtual reality apps so you can literally see the piece in your home before buying.

3. Not measuring enough (or at all). You know that eyeballing a space isn’t a good way to measure whether something will fit there so you’ll measure the space where new furniture will go. But did you remember to also measure the room to make sure everything else still fits with the new piece? Even more important, did you measure hallways, doors, stairs and elevators? Nothing is more disheartening than get a piece of furniture you love home only to realize it won’t fit through the door/hall!

4. Don’t just go with the set. It’s tempting to buy the entire set of furniture, we get it. It looks nice and it’s convenient. But design is about textures & colors and layering, as well as telling your story. Does all that matching furniture REALLY fit your style? Consider mixing tones, textures, and styles you wouldn’t ordinarily think would pair well together!

5. Not thinking it through. Sometimes impulsivity is a good thing – NOT when it comes to furniture buying though! Buying furniture may seem easier than, say, buying a car because you feel like, hey, just looking for the right color and size. Right? Nope. There are a host of other factors to consider that you don’t want to rush through (the “sit test” for one!). People can spend months searching for the right car, so why spend minutes buying furniture? Do your research, make sure it’s furniture you can live with, then walk away for a day or two to be sure. Otherwise, you might end up with chairs that look absolutely brilliant but are so uncomfortable you can’t actually sit on them or something similar.

6. Don’t forget maintenance. Getting new furniture is exciting and so long as that excitement lasts, you’ll be more than happy to clean your purchase each and every day if necessary. Try to keep in mind how you’ll feel when the “new” wears off though. That’s when cleaning your item will become a chore just like the rest so consider how much (or little) maintenance you’ll be up for doing!

7. Don’t forget your price range. You’ll go out (or online) furniture shopping with a price range in mind – don’t forget it! Keep in mind costs such as delivery or custom upholstery when making your purchase; otherwise you’ll leave your price range behind. Look for sales,online promotions, and various offers by stores that will save you money AND offer additional advantages (such as free shipping).

Keep these things in mind when your going to purchase furniture and you’ll make not just aesthetically pleasing choices, but smart ones! Furniture is a huge purchase – you should be sure you’re getting the best items for your lifestyle, ones that will last as long as possible. Need more help finding that perfect piece? Drop by our website or visit one of our stores and we’ll help you make the best furniture purchase possible!