Budget

Before you even walk into a furniture showroom, decide what you can afford to spend, and what you expect to get for your money. That sounds simple enough, but it's amazing how many people have no set budget, and no idea of what furniture costs when they start shopping. Plan your total budget, and then determine what you expect to spend on each piece. You may want to spend less on furniture for a guest room that is seldom used, and more on a high quality dining table or multi-purpose wall unit that will be used for many years.

The internet is a wonderful way to "window shop". You can get a good idea of what a chair or sofa costs, or how much you can expect to pay for a new bedroom set, and use that information to set up a budget. Also, visit local furniture showrooms to get a feel for what is available in different price ranges and styles. Once you establish a budget, stick to it, but remain flexible when it comes to color and style, and be prepared to make some concessions. Many retailers offer several different styles, but only a limited choice in fabric or finish. Others offer several styles with wide general appeal, and a fairly wide fabric selection. For instance, maybe you had your heart set on a green plaid chair or sofa, but a retailer has a well made piece in blue that is comfortable, suits your needs, for a good price, and he can deliver it tomorrow. You may be willing to make a concession on color to get something you like just as well, that fits your budget.

You don't have to pay a lot of money for good quality furniture. Years ago people lived in one house their entire life, and bought one good set of furniture, for which they paid a lot of money. Today, styles, tastes and lifestyle change, and most people buy new furniture every five or six years. Unless you are looking for a special piece to hand down to your children, buy good quality, inexpensive pieces that fit your budget and suit your needs.

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