| When you go looking for furniture, there are some | | | | into your full Hulk Hogan moves, but push on the |
| key things to take into account when you're out | | | | piece. Pull on it. I want you to see if it is sturdy or |
| shopping. Sometimes you may think you have found | | | | does it creek? If it sounds like an old woman and it is |
| a fabulous deal on a piece of furniture, but if it isn't | | | | brand new... watch out. It may be falling apart in |
| made well then that eventually be money thrown | | | | short order. |
| away. | | | | Are you married? Do you have a significant other? |
| You should figure out what your ideas for your | | | | No, I don't want to date you! I want you to take |
| furniture long term are. Is your living room going to | | | | your partner with you shopping. They may grumble, |
| have a sofa, coffee table and a chair or will it have a | | | | but when you bring home the perfect sofa for you |
| sofa, coffee table, a love seat, two chairs? Why? I | | | | and you are 5'1", your significant other who is 6'2" |
| hear you whining. I know, it is a lot more fun to | | | | may not enjoy the couch at all. You need to try out |
| shop, but if you don't know what you need you may | | | | the furniture as you would use it at home. If you are |
| end up buying something else simply because you | | | | a lounger type of person, then don't sit on the sofa |
| think you have found the deal of the year. | | | | like a prim and proper lady with perfect posture. You |
| First, you need to figure out what are the sizes of | | | | don't really sit that way and when you do go to |
| furniture you need. I know you may not have a CAD | | | | lounge on it later, you may be sorry. |
| program, but you can do this a couple other ways. | | | | If you are a bargain shopper, you have several |
| One way is to mark out furniture using that blue | | | | options. Estate sales, yard sales, furniture outlets and |
| painting tape. You can research online to find the | | | | even places that sell former model home furniture. All |
| typical furniture sizes to get you started and then | | | | of these are great options, but make sure the piece |
| tape those pieces off on your floor where you want | | | | is sturdy, in great condition (unless you are a crafty |
| to place that piece. This will help you see how much | | | | person and would like to invest the time and energy |
| room you have in your space, if you have enough | | | | in to refurbish) and a good price. Just because it is at |
| room to walk around or if you need to pare down | | | | an estate sale, don't think it automatically makes it a |
| your wish list. Don't forget to make notes of how | | | | great price. Do your research. |
| wide and tall your doorways are. If you won't be | | | | Also, if you find furniture that was in a former model |
| able to get it through the door, then so sad for you. | | | | home, it may not be made of the best quality since |
| So with list in hand, go to the stores. Oh, looky here, | | | | most people walking into a model home are just |
| you found a gorgeous sofa for a great price! Where's | | | | looking at how the place is as a whole, not how well |
| my credit card?? Hold up, there, buddy. Let's look at | | | | the sofa is made. It may be a cheapo sofa covered |
| this piece. What color is it? Fuchsia? Oh no no no no | | | | in a great fabric. |
| no. First, let's not go there. I can almost guarantee | | | | Custom furniture is also an option, when you know |
| you that you will be mad at yourself for buying it in | | | | that this is a piece you want to keep for a long time |
| less than a year, if not mad the first day when it | | | | and you want it to look a certain way. Now, with |
| gets in your home and sits there, mocking you. Go | | | | that said, don't go blaming me when you look at your |
| with a neutral color. They are so much easier to | | | | custom upholstered chair two years from now and |
| work with. You can dress them up with colorful | | | | see that selecting some trendy fabric, that is now |
| pillows and throws. | | | | out of style, was the wrong way to go. That's how |
| Now, how is it made? Is the piece held together with | | | | we ended up with a glut of 80s furniture on our |
| staples? Glue? Bubblegum? Check out if it is a solid | | | | hands. Now go shopping! |
| wood frame, not MDF. Is it sturdy? Now, don't go | | | | |