Once you've decided exactly what you need, how big it should be, how much you can spend on it, and gotten all the information you can on companies, finishes, styles, and fabrics, it's time to see some pieces in person.
- Go to a Furniture Store
It's almost impossible to determine if you'll like a piece of furniture from a picture. You'll want to see it first-hand. If the store you visit doen't have the exact piece you've found on-line, at least you ean evaluate the quality of the line, see the different finishes available, and determine if the company makes things that have a look you like. If you're looking for a coffee table, you might be able to see a side table. You'll get an idea of how your piece will look and you'll feel more comfortable about ordering the piece at the store or on-line if you've seen it in person first. - Visualize All the Elements
Fine furniture stores use professional decorators to create fully-decorated rooms. In these settings, the merchandise is shown at its best. You can get an idea of how the piece you want will look in a real room. You might get ideas for other decorating, too. If the walls are painted an interesting shade of a warm mocha, you can ask the exact shade if you think it would look good in your home. It can be almost like going to a decorator showhouse, and you can buy anything you like. - Get Things in Perspective
Remember that furniture show spaces are spacious with high ceilings and no side walls. You have to keep the size and scale of your own rooms in mind. A piece that looks great in a cavernous showroom might be too large for your living room. - Get Decorating Ideas From the Pros
As you walk through the showroom, look around you. Do you see interesting accessories? Do you have some pieces at home that could be used in the same way? Is a picture placed in an unusual way that would add interest to your space? Does a mirror reflect a beautiful view or add depth to a space? Is the furniture arranged in a way you hadn't thought of? Without buying a thing, you can get lots of ideas to take home. - Talk to the Sales People
A furniture showroom will not have every piece that a particular company makes. If you don't see the item you want on the floor, inquire about placing a special order. Be sure that you feel comfortable with the sales person and get someone who is knowlegeable about your chosen company. Some stores have specialists for each line. Inquire about the availability of different wood finishes, sofa skirt options, or alternative arm styles. - See the Fabric Choices
Each company that builds upholstered furniture supplies their showrooms with fabric samples. You can choose from a full array of colors, patterns, and textures. If you're not sure about colors, ask to check out fabric samples or a matching pillow. You'll be ablet o live with the fabrics for a day or two and see the different choices in changing lights. - Place a Special Order
If the store doesn't have the piece you need, place a special order. In many cases, you will not be able to take advantage of special sale prices, and you might have to pay additional shipping charges. But it will be worth the price to get just the piece you want. - Take the Piece Home
Some furniture stores will allow you to take a piece home "on approval," meaning that you can see how it will look in your home, but return it if you don't like it. After all, you're making a big purchase and should have a right to change your mind. Make sure that you can return even a special order piece if it is not right for your home. You might be asked to pay the charges the store incurred to get the piece from the factory to their store.
Buying a piece of furniture can be a big expense and you should end up with just the right piece. If you follow our guidelines, the shopping will be easier and you'll end up with just what you want.
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