Furniture shopping is a topic that can either make homeowners extremely excited or extremely stressed out. We understand that shopping for furniture can seem like a daunting task capable of overwhelming even the most experienced renovators, but furniture shopping should be an exciting opportunity to redefine your space! Here are some factors that can contribute to a stressful shopping experience:
- Money: Furniture is an investment for your home but it often feels too expensive.
- Time: Finding ample time to dedicate to furniture shopping can be difficult and stressful.
- Too many options: Decision fatigue can set in rather quickly after visiting multiple furniture stores and browsing through what can feel like endless selections of pieces.
- Limited space: The fear of purchasing items that won’t fit or navigating tight spaces during delivery can be a significant source of anxiety.
- Lack of confidence: Homeowners who lack confidence in their design abilities may find it stressful to make decisions about color schemes, styles, and furniture arrangements.
However, with the right furniture store and some strategic planning, you can enjoy a stress-free shopping experience as you search for your dream furniture. As part of our tips for new homeowners, here is some of our expert advice for how to make furniture shopping less stressful:
- Focus on one room at a time
- Do your research
- Take measurements
- Shop with a furniture manufacturer
- Book a free design consultation
- Shop small
Tip #1: Focus on one room at a time
Focusing on purchasing pieces for one room at a time will make your room makeover process a lot more manageable. When you decide to take on a renovation project, it can be tempting to throw yourself into the deep end and plan purchases for your whole home. However, this is a recipe for stress. We recommend that you slow down and start with just one room. In most cases, furnishing the living room first is a smart idea, as it is likely the focal point of your home and will be used by most people.
Once you choose your priority room, you can determine what pieces you need to purchase and create a budget. Don’t worry too much about sizing and configurations in this step, simply establish what type of furniture you want in this space (living room furniture generally consists of sofas, sectionals, armchairs, loveseats, ottomans, etc.).
Tip #2: Do your research
A crucial step of what to do before buying furniture is to begin researching what you think you may need, inspiration, and the reputation of the furniture brands you’re considering. For example, if you’re buying furniture for an apartment, you may look up apartment furniture ideas to spark ways you could save on space, or you might search for inspiration on Pinterest to see what room layouts you like and dislike.
Expert Tip: Be sure to save any all and inspiration and bring it with you to our showroom! You can show us a Pinterest board, a photo album, or have notes on your phone where our experts can see what your vision is. Mixing furniture styles can be a great way to make your space feel more unique!
It’s also important to think about where you want to purchase your furniture from. Reading customer reviews and comparing prices can help you make informed decisions and find the best value for your money.
If you’re starting on your journey and aren’t sure of the best tips for how to shop for furniture, check out our Furniture Buying Guide made by our furniture experts! This guide details:
- How to pick your perfect furniture
- The types of furniture you can choose from
- How to find your style
- How to find your preferred cushion comfort level
- The types of materials we use (including fabric upgrades!)
Tip #3: Take measurements
One of the most common furniture buying mistakes we see is shoppers purchasing pieces not knowing if they will physically fit into their home! Do not show up to furniture stores without measurements of your space and your current furniture. Why?
As we mentioned in our article about how to measure furniture, taking proper measurements ensures that the furniture you choose is not too large or too small for your space. It can also help to dictate your furniture placement so that you can move freely through the space. Here are some tips for taking measurements:
- Measure the length, width, and height of the room you’re decorating as well as any current pieces of furniture you have to give you a guideline of what currently fits in your space.
- Take architectural features such as windows, doors, and any built-in elements into account.
- Account for extra pieces you may add like coffee tables or side tables.
- Use painter’s tape or other items to lay out possible floor plans until you find one that suits your needs best.
Be sure to document your space and furniture measurements somewhere easily accessible and take reference photos so that you can be more confident of your needs while furniture shopping.
Tip #4: Shop with a furniture manufacturer
One of the most effective ways to guarantee stress-free shopping is to buy directly from a furniture manufacturer such as Living Designs Furniture. Why? Savings of course! If you’ve ever wondered “How can I get better prices on furniture?”, shopping directly from the source allows you to avoid third-party fees since the middlemen are cut out from the equation. If you decide to shop with Living Designs Furniture, you can get the best quality furniture for the best prices.
“This is Houston’s best-kept secret. After having visited numerous other furniture stores in Houston, I found Living Designs Furniture. The quality and the prices are excellent and the furniture is made right on-site, not overseas or shipped from another part of the country. Top-tier quality.”
Joyce G. | Verified Customer
As the furniture manufacturer, we have a wide range of options and styles to choose from, allowing you to find pieces that fit your preferences and budget seamlessly.
Tip #5: Book a free design consultation
If you find that you are unsure about what you’re looking for or what would suit your home best, we highly recommend booking a free design consultation to speak with an expert. Our furniture experts sit you down one-on-one and discuss factors including your lifestyle, style preferences, budget considerations, and vision to recommend furniture that will best suit your space, style, and lifestyle needs.
Having a design consultation not only helps you make informed decisions but also reduces the stress associated with making design choices on your own. You’ll be able to go into your furniture shopping journey feeling more confident about your purchases. Did we mention that it’s free? While most interior design firms would charge hundreds for this kind of information by the hour, our guidance comes free of charge.
Tip #6: Shop small
The truth is that there are hundreds and hundreds of furniture brands out there to choose from. Sifting through millions of websites and Instagram pages or walking through dozens of brick-and-mortar stores can make anyone feel overwhelmed! Stressful shopping experiences are largely attributed to there simply being too many choices.
Consider exploring smaller, local furniture stores for a more personalized and stress-free shopping experience. Smaller stores often offer a curated selection of quality furniture to eliminate decision fatigue, and the staff is likely to provide more personalized attention to your needs. Shopping small not only supports local businesses but also allows you to escape the overwhelming atmosphere of large furniture chains.
In our expert opinion, the best place to buy quality furniture locally is at Living Designs Furniture. We are a small, family-owned and operated business that is dedicated to crafting and selling top-quality furniture to our Houston community.
Expert Tip: Although there has been much debate around buying furniture online vs in-store, our expert tip is to always shop for furniture in person, so that you know exactly what you are buying. Using the internet is a great way to find inspiration, but it can be easily overwhelming.
Living Designs Furniture provides a stress-free shopping experience
Furniture shopping doesn’t have to be a stressful experience, especially if you choose to shop with Living Designs Furniture. By following these tips, you can approach the process with confidence and ease. From choosing the right furniture store to taking advantage of design consultations, these strategies will empower you to create the perfect living space without unnecessary stress.
Looking for a stress-free shopping experience? Visit any of our showrooms in Downtown Houston or The Woodlands and shop alongside an expert today who will help you say goodbye to stressful shopping and hello to your dream furniture!
More Helpful Articles by Living Designs Furniture:
- How Living Designs Furniture is Redefining How To Buy Furniture
- Is Custom-Built Furniture Worth It?
- Tips for Finding Quality Sectional Sofas in Houston
- Furniture Retailer vs. Furniture Manufacturer: Who Is Better to Buy From?
- The Dangers of Buying Used Furniture