Buying your first home is a truly memorable and exciting experience – but it’s when you go shopping for furniture that you start to enjoy retail therapy.
But beware! There’s a skill to buying furniture for your first home.
Don’t simply rock up to Ikea, or another furniture store, and begin picking out your favourite pieces on a whim. That’s never going to end well.
As boring as it may sound, you need to get the tape measure out and ensure you avoid purchasing furniture that’s not too big for your living area or bedroom.
It’s even better if you can plan your room design on a floorplan, measure everything in advance, and then make your purchases.
You could face a hefty re-stocking fee with your retailer if you purchase a queen-size bed that literally takes up the whole bedroom and you have to return it, or a three-piece suite when you only have room for two pieces.
And if you’re renovating your kitchen, ask your electrician to check the strength of your electricity supply in case it cannot cope with the power that a new cooktop or oven might draw. That’s especially true if you want to buy an induction cooktop.
Below, we’ve listed a few basic tips to make sure your dream interior design doesn’t turn into a nightmare.
Failing to Measure: We cannot stress this mistake enough. It is probably the most common error for inexperienced homemakers. Measure up your rooms, and take the tape to the shop to ensure you don’t buy oversized furniture.
Curb Your Impulses: Stores love a customer who buys on impulse. If that’s you, you’re taking a gamble with your interior design.
Rugs and Cushions: Before buying colourful furniture to lift a room, ask yourself whether it might overwhelm the space. Rugs and cushions are great items to add a splash of colour to your decor.
Design Services: Some retailers will offer free design services. We suggest you use their expertise. You might have your own plan, but it never hurts to have the benefit of experience. This is especially true for bathrooms and kitchens.
Flat-packed: When you move into your home, there’s so much to do. So, ask yourself whether you really want to buy flat-packed furniture and assemble it yourself. If your favourite retailer offers an assembly service, we say take it!
Don’t Rush: You don’t need to buy everything in one crazy Saturday afternoon frenzy. Take your time and shop around for the best prices. And if you are visiting a selection of furniture stores, always take time for a break and a beverage to help you assess your options.