The old standard for shopping for furniture included dovetailed drawers and eight-way hand-tied springs. Today, with the huge influx of imported case goods along with the increase in mass-marketed pieces, the rules aren’t so simple. The following tips will help stretch your home décor budget as you decide what to splurge on and how to save.
Select comfortable seating
Many kinds of furniture—particularly accent pieces such as occasional tables—are great buys from sites with low shipping costs like Overstock.com. But your main seating is a different beast. Do the tush-test at a retailer for items like sofas, club chairs, and mattresses. You may spend a little more at the outset, but you could end up keeping the furniture for years, which saves in the long run.
Save with eco-friendly wood
Going eco-chic with bamboo, mango wood, and plantation-raised teak can prove an economical move, especially on workhorse pieces like bookshelves and end tables.
Invest in high-quality wood
Love the stripes of Macassar ebony or the veining on red oak? Invest in high-quality pieces you can showcase. Think impact with your dining room table or a console in your main room.
Buy designer furniture cheaply
Heart set on high-quality items from upscale brands like Henredon, Century, and Stickley? Buy designer furniture at discounted prices by shopping online at 1stDibs.com, eBay.com, Craigslist.com, local thrift stores and flea markets. You might wind up with an “Antiques Roadshow”-worthy bargain!
Clean furniture correctly
Lemon oil can stain slate; furniture polish is the enemy of leather. Make sure you know how to care for your pieces. Check out Bhg.com and MarthaStewart.com for tricks and tips.
Splurge or Save? Your Guide to Furniture Shopping
Invest in the best and search for deals online
By Lisa Martin
The old standard for shopping for furniture included dovetailed drawers and eight-way hand-tied springs. Today, with the huge influx of imported case goods along with the increase in mass-marketed pieces, the rules aren’t so simple. The following tips will help stretch your home décor budget as you decide what to splurge on and how to save.
Select comfortable seating
Many kinds of furniture—particularly accent pieces such as occasional tables—are great buys from sites with low shipping costs like Overstock.com. But your main seating is a different beast. Do the tush-test at a retailer for items like sofas, club chairs, and mattresses. You may spend a little more at the outset, but you could end up keeping the furniture for years, which saves in the long run.
Save with eco-friendly wood
Going eco-chic with bamboo, mango wood, and plantation-raised teak can prove an economical move, especially on workhorse pieces like bookshelves and end tables.
Invest in high-quality wood
Love the stripes of Macassar ebony or the veining on red oak? Invest in high-quality pieces you can showcase. Think impact with your dining room table or a console in your main room.
Buy designer furniture cheaply
Heart set on high-quality items from upscale brands like Henredon, Century, and Stickley? Buy designer furniture at discounted prices by shopping online at 1stDibs.com, eBay.com, Craigslist.com, local thrift stores and flea markets. You might wind up with an “Antiques Roadshow”-worthy bargain!
Clean furniture correctly
Lemon oil can stain slate; furniture polish is the enemy of leather. Make sure you know how to care for your pieces. Check out Bhg.com and MarthaStewart.com for tricks and tips.