Buying Furniture

One of the biggest expenses you will have in your life and throughout is buying furniture.  It's inevitable.  You can live off of hand-me-downs for some time but at some point you will have to make a purchase.  It can be overwhelming and also very risky.  You can drive down any major street and find a store that sells furniture.  Then there's those you see advertising on TV all the time.  And then there are those ginormous furniture stores like...well, you know.  Wherever you decide to purchase your furniture from I strongly recommend keeping these things in mind.

• The cost of furniture
• Take inventory of what you really need
• Set a budget
• Add about 15% to that budget
• Stick to that budget (the original one)
• Measure the spaces of where you are going to put this furniture 
• Measure the doorways/hallways/staircases of where this furniture will pass through
• Measure the spaces between this new furniture and any existing furniture
• Measure everything all over again
• Window shop online
• Window shop at the store
• Do your research
• Compare online prices to store prices and competitors prices
• Make a final decision and make your purchase, or decide to wait.

Buying furniture is a big expense.  One that will make a significant dent in your bank account.  But remember that this isn't stuff you switch out often.  Most of this stuff will last you well beyond 5 years.  If you take the amount it costs and divide that by at least 10 years you will agree the purchase is more than justified.  And with this in mind I encourage you to follow all of these tips and go out there and get what you want.

First of all you need to understand the cost of furniture.  The prices vary between stores, whether it's a well-known retailer or a local furniture maker.  If you want quality you will end up paying more.  Solid wood furniture is going to be more expensive than hardwood.  Custom upholstery (when you get to pick the upholstery as opposed to buying what's in store) is going to cost more.  Custom furniture versus pick-and-choose is going to cost more.  

Next, take inventory of what you need, not what you want.  If you're a newlywed or just bought a new house you may not want to purchase all your furniture at once.  It will be overwhelming shopping for so much at one time, plus there are pieces of furniture that can wait to be purchased at a later time.  Make a list of everything you need, then go over that list at least one more time so that you prioritize the bigger, more important pieces.

Having a budget is key to not overspending.  Any store you walk into will have something you want, need, and like.  That doesn't mean that you have to have it all.  So, if you've made your list of priority pieces and stick to purchasing those first you will be sure to not overspend.  

This, also, is where adding that 15% may come in handy.  You may end up seeing something you absolutely love and it may cost more than you anticipated spending.  When it comes to furniture I always tell my family and friends that if you absolutely love it then go ahead and get it.  Unless it is insanely over your budget, you probably can justify the cost.  Why would you spend $1,000 on a sofa that's just okay when you're in love with the sofa that's twice that amount?  Yes, it's going to serve the same function but you're going to "hate it" at some point and in a few years will probably want to switch it out anyway, costing what you would have spent in the first place if not more.

That being said, stick to your original budget.  Don't allow yourself to spend that 15% contingency unless you find something that absolutely justifies it.  And if necessary let that added expense be the last thing you buy so that you know you will not "need" to spend it on anything else you are "in love" with.

Measuring is a very important part of the whole process.  You may have your heart set on a sectional sofa or a king size bed, but if the space isn't big enough then you're going to have one big problem when that furniture is delivered.  

 

Measure every space you need furniture for and take into account furniture that is already there.  If you're going to buy a sofa but already have the end tables then measure the space where the sofa is going to be so that you know what size sofa to get.  If your kids are going to share a room and you're going to have separate beds measure the room and make sure that the size beds (mattress and frame) will fit in the space.  The same goes for appliances.  Measure, measure, measure!!  That six burner range may not fit!  Also, be sure to measure the doorways, hallways, staircases, and pretty much any tight space that this furniture will be passing through.  Squeezing big furniture through small doorways will almost guarantee some kind of damage.  Don't risk it!

Window shopping online will save you a lot of time, money, and will help you keep your sanity.  Check out the websites to the stores you intend to shop and consider any local stores in your neighborhood.  See what the selections are, compare prices, factor in custom choices or call to get information, and don't forget delivery charges.  Don't forget to take advantage of sales.  You may want to wait a couple of weeks if necessary to get that extra 15% off, or free delivery.  Whatever will save you money.  If you've done your online window shopping you will know exactly where to shop and what stores to avoid.

Window shopping at the store can also save you a lot of money, and in the long run, a huge headache or heartbreak.  The same way you try on an outfit before you buy to make sure it fits, you can "try on" furniture to make sure it's right for you.  It may look comfortable but once you sit on it, you realize its support doesn't seem that strong.  The upholstery color and pattern may look appealing at first but may not be of great quality.  That dining table may have a gorgeous look and finish but once at the store you realize it's not solid wood, or it's made from a material of lower quality.

Doing your research is part of window shopping.  Find out what kind of material and upholstery options are available and what meets your needs so that when you make your purchase you will get exactly what you paid for.  Don't settle for sale items or floor model sales just to avoid the higher cost if that's not what you really want.    

Compare prices when you can.  You may not find the exact same furniture pieces in other stores, but you'll find similar pieces that you can compare.  Also, online prices may differ from in-store prices due to sales or promotions so be sure to ask if you can get the lowest price available.  

Once you've completed your window shopping online and in-store, done your research, and compared prices you are ready to make your decision and ultimately your purchase.  Making a decision doesn't necessarily mean you'll make the purchase.  It may just mean that you've decided to wait for either the sale or until the store offers new selections.  If it's not an item, like a bed, that you need right away, you may want to wait on it - especially if you're not in love with your choices.  

Buying furniture can be overwhelming, but it should also be fun, and ultimately you should be happy with your purchase.  

And if you're still overwhelmed about purchasing furniture after reading this I am more than happy to help you out!

Side note: other things to consider when buying furniture is a change in style.  You may currently have a certain look to your home, but you're ready for something completely different.  If you're buying major furniture pieces, this is the time to make that transition.  

Here are some links I found that could be very helpful:

Guide:How To Measure
furnishing design resources
How to measure for furniture

DIY Projects You CAN Do!

I have a confession to make.  I'm not a DIYer.  I have never DIYed anything.  I do, however, have a long list of projects I would like to try out one day.  There's a good chance that will never happen, nonetheless, the list continues to grow.

I have a designer's heart and mind. Not of a DIYer.  Some people assume that because you can design you can DIY.  Well, there's not much truth in that.  I can design a DIY project, but I most likely cannot make it come to life so easily.  Who knows, maybe if I take that leap of faith I will discover I'm good at both?!

DIYing isn't for everyone, but if you see a project you really like go ahead, take a shot at it.  And if you have a Mr. Handyman living with you take advantage and have him help out.

I will share with you a few of my favorites.  No particular style in mind.  I have very eclectic taste and these projects could easily be incorporated into any one's style.

Okay, so the most recent one I came across is this Diy Wood Doormat from The Merrythought.

Also, on my list is this amazing picture holder.  Even without pictures it would still be an amazing piece of art. 

DIY Geometric Photo Display  Valerie, from The Caldwell Project, walks you through, step by step, on how to make this wonderful photo display.  

Here's a really easy one.  This one is probably best for homeowners.  

House Numbers This project is from 4 Men 1 Lady.  I love that you can take this same idea and recreate it in any style you like.

She has several more wonderful ideas so I would definitely make time to check her out!

This next one may require a little more skill and special tools.  This would be a good time to ask the mister to step in unless you're extremely confident in your carpentry skills.

Diy Framed Chalkboard

If you're interested in more "skilled" carpentry projects be sure to check out her website.  Lots of wonderful ideas on there and lots of free plans to build them too.  Shanty 2 Chic

Now, if you're like me you love stores like Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, West Elm, and so on.  But realistically their products are very expensive.  So I found this video tutorial one how to make one of their very popular, very expensive mirrors.  Check it out.

Here's one for the ladies.  The link doesn't have a tutorial, but you get the idea.  

From flea market finds to savvy storage

Well, I guess I'll include one for the guys too.  This is a great idea to organize that garage.  Some skills required.  

Garage Storage Towers

Lastly, I will end with one that is at the very top of my list.  This will definitely require skill and a lot of patience.  Probably a couple to a few weekends to complete as well.  It is from one of my favorite DIYers, Vintage Revivals.

Pink and Red Honeycomb Wall

Truly this woman is talented and skilled!

Well, I hope that by now you too are inspired to design and create.  Don't be afraid to at least try something.  You just might discover something you're really good, or really bad at, but at least you'll know.

If you need some inspiration the best place I can refer you to is Pinterest.  I will warn you that it can be overwhelming, addicting, and fun.  So, if you don't think you can handle it you might not want to look.

So, to all of you future DIYers, good luck and let your creativity shine!

Here's a peek at other projects by some of the featured diy-ers.

Diy shelves               

Diy Bed

 Leather Handles

For the Love of Fall

Wow! It's that time of the year..summer activities and vacations have ended, the kids are either back in school or getting ready to go back, and parents "normal" schedules can resume.  The hustle and bustle of summer are officially over.  And now begins the next phase of this year's planning...the Holidays!  Ahhhh!

Most bloggers are probably way ahead of me, but I'm in no rush.  Besides I don't have deadlines to meet, or endorses to please.  I do this for fun.

If you've walked into any store you've already seen the displays of the holiday merchandise, and based on what I've seen there's no respect to order.  It's all out there already.  But I'm a person of order and I like to enjoy each holiday as its own.  So I've decided to tackle one at a time, assuming I would tackle any more after this.  

Skipping over Halloween as it's not really a favorite of mine I'll just jump right in to a season, really, and not a holiday.  Fall is probably my most favorite of all four seasons, not that we get all four seasons in Chicago anyway.  This is the time of year that as mother nature's design palette changes mine does too.  I've always been driven by nature's rich and luxurious palette, but this year my more muted, neutral palette is getting the best of me.  Being unable to commit to either one I've decided to try and combine them but also to enjoy each one individually.

In my living room I have a neutral palette.  Its main colors are different shades of gray, blue, and yellow.  In my dining room it's a whole other world.  There's dark wood tones, greens, reds, yellows, and teal.  Talk about a mash up!  It's too expensive to change out but I make it work...sort of.

I've gathered some pictures (mostly from Pinterest) that will help me to decorate my home in working with these palettes.  

Let's begin with the living room and its more muted, neutral palette.  Here's what I found.

      

The last image is from: missmustardseed-fall-decorating which also includes the tutorial on how to paint pumpkins these gorgeous colors!

Other links are: www.the36thavenue.com

As beautiful as pumpkins are you may not find any natural colors that work with your color palette, so in this case it's time to DIY...get creative.  Paint them or decorate them to match your unique palette.

Here are some images of more traditional, nature inspired pumpkins and decor.

Here are the links from:

Honey We're Home Rustic Glam Fall Mantle
stonegableblog.com and it includes a tutorial on how to put it all together.
shelterness.com and several more wonderful ideas.

Now, for those of you who lack a palette, if you're style is more modern, with no definitive color I haven't forgotten about you.  

  

Here are the links from: 

Honey We're Home Pumpkins
cloudfront.net
www.lushome.com
meredith.com
alwaystheholidays.com

So go out there, get your pumpkins and start decorating.  Don't be afraid of mixing it up and creating your own style.  Get creative and find different ways of displaying them.  Also, go store hopping and see what you find.  Pier 1, Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Home Goods/Marshalls/TJMaxx always have wonderful ceramic, metal or cloth pumpkins which bring a lot of style and fun to the home.

My favorite design trick is to layer, layer, layer.  If you notice all of these pictures include more than just pumpkins and are not limited to fall decor (for example the succulents).  

Enjoy fall.  Before you know it you'll be decorating for that other holiday.  

Disclaimer:  These images were sourced from Pinterest except where direct source links are provided.  Go ahead and click on the links and follow these wonderful bloggers/designers.


 
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