How to Buy Furniture One Piece at a Time
If your budget dictates that you furnish your house or apartment slowly, be smart about it. Here are some tips for buying furniture one piece at a time. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Prioritize your needs and shop accordingly. If you need a kitchen table, try not to come home with a couch, even if it was on sale.
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Buy the best quality you can afford. Poor furniture quality is less likely to hold up over the long haul, which means you might have to buy items twice.
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Realize that furniture manufacturers regularly discontinue individual pieces and entire lines. When you buy one piece from a show-stopping suite with an eye-catching finish, be aware that you may not be able to match it in the future.
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Think about versatility in styling when you buy. Classic looks, from contemporary to Chippendale to French provincial, can be easier to decorate around, especially for long-standing furniture.
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Ponder versatility in function when you buy. Today's end table could be tomorrow's nightstand; this year's entry-hall table might be next year's home-office console.
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Choose non-trendy upholstery. The hunter green that was hot a couple of years ago is practically invisible now (except at closeout sales). Neutrals, especially solids, are a best bet for long-term furniture purchases.
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Consider buying secondhand pieces. Search the used furniture classified ads, because folks are constantly sacrificing like-new pieces (as well as lovely antiques).
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Tips & Warnings
When trying to match colors, bring along fabric swatches, wallpaper samples, chair cushions, and other materials when you shop.
When shopping at furniture sales, ask why a piece has been marked down. Sometimes you'll be told that it's a floor sample (which could mean the piece will no longer be made) or that it's being discontinued. When you must furnish a piece at a time, decide whether a discontinued piece is workable.
