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Tips on Buying Furniture  
by Barbara Jennings

Buying your furniture should take the same kind of thoughtful pondering. It is a big expense, after all, and you'll probably own and use that furniture longer than you will your latest car acquisition.

So I thought a list of what you might want to get from your furniture would be helpful.

• Do you have small children? - Small children require you to have non-pointed pieces in the room. You also want to make sure your fabrics are touchable and easy to clean. Leather might not be a good option, however, vinyl is. Darker fabrics will hide those inevitable stains. Thicker fabrics will better withstand all the abuse children dish out.
  
  
• Do you entertain? - I don't do much entertaining because I hate to cook, but maybe you love having people over. What type of entertaining do you usually do: 1) sit-down dinners; 2) buffet-type meals; 3) help yourself free for alls.
  
  
• Depending on your entertaining style, think about this. - Formal furnishings generally go with people who enjoy sit-down dinners. For the buffet-types, you'll want an informal setting with plenty of room for conversational configurations. For the self-help party givers, you'll want a very casual home with plenty of room to sit most anywhere, even on the floor.
  
  
• Considering a sectional? - You should realize that sections generally leave little room for adjustments, especially in small rooms or where you have a lot of furniture. So be sure to take plenty of measurements and plan ahead to make sure the furniture will fit and do what you want it to do.
  
  
• Always measure your room and the furniture in advance. - Size can be very deceiving, especially when you looking a furniture on a showroom floor. It's never a good idea to buy without knowing for a certainty that your purchase will fit.  It's equally important to make sure the furniture will not overpower the room nor feel totally lost.
  
  
• Take samples of your carpet, drapes, paint colors, wallpaper with you so that you choose furniture that will blend with the already established decor.
  
  
• Don't forget those traffic lanes. - It's not enough to measure the furniture itself. You must also allow plenty of access room in and around the furniture. By taking advance measurements, you'll be able to plan good access throughout the room.
  
  
• Take a measuring tape with you so you can double check all measurements in the showroom before you sign on the dotted line. Salespeople don't always have one handy to loan you and you want accurate measurements.
  
  
• Know what you need. - Don't buy anything just because it catches your eye. Make sure it fits in with the rest of the decor and that it won't be something you tire of quickly.
  
  
• Make a master plan. - Place your most important purchases on the top of the list. Buy the most important first and then add to that are you are able.
  
  
• Shop relaxed. - Never shop for furniture when you feel rushed. Allow plenty of time to shop around. Be certain of your selections. Eat before you leave or take a relaxing break midway to refresh your body and mind.
  
  
• Dress comfortably. - Be comfortable and take your time. Even if you are dressed casually, salespeople will still service you. And don't forget to have fun. This should be an exciting time. Enjoy yourself.
  
  
• Set a budget and stick to it. - We all tend to want something bigger or more expensive than our wallet will manage easily. Think through your resources in advance and determine the amount you are comfortable spending. Allow for unexpected expenditures. Allow for sales tax and delivery charges and finance charges if you are buying on credit.
  
  Don't buy something just because it's cheap. Smaller price tags usually mean lesser quality and in the long run you may just have a much better deal from a higher priced (but better quality) piece. I once bought a sofa/loveseat in a soft green vinyl that was incredibly priced. It hardly lasted a year before the top vinyl began peeling off. My "deal" had to be thrown out in no time.