Saturday, May 31, 2014

A short guide to buying furniture for a starter home


Image Source: homedit.com


For first time homeowners, choosing furniture for a starter home is a difficult task. Lack of experience in furniture shopping coupled with a limited budget often lead homeowners to settle for the cheapest pieces available, regardless of quality. This short guide will help homeowners furnish their starter home with the pieces they need while staying within budget.

Some pieces of furniture are necessary for a home. These include:  

 A bed frame and mattress. The average person will spend about a third of his or her life in bed, so homeowners should take care in choosing one. Bed frames come in different styles, sizes, and material. Platform beds often consist of just a base and a headboard, and are a good choice for a minimalist bedroom. A good mattress should both be comfortable and supportive: not too soft and not too hard. Mattresses should be tested in-store before purchase. Make sure to match the mattress to the size of the bed.



Image Source: blog.zenbedrooms.com


A dining table and chairs. First time homeowners can't go wrong with classic round and rectangular tables. Round tables are best suited for small families while rectangular tables can accommodate more people. Make sure to bring a measuring tape when shopping for furniture to avoid space issues. For chairs, choose comfortable, well-made pieces that complement the table. Some retailers offer dining room sets, which can be more economical than purchasing the pieces separately. Check the construction: the pieces of quality wooden furniture should be jointed, not nailed or glued together.

A sofa. Those who prefer a firm sofa should choose one with coiled springs, while those who prefer a soft sofa should choose one with zigzag coils. A sofa upholstered in durable fabric, with a sturdy wooden frame, can last a long time with careful use. To save money on starter home furniture shopping, homeowners can check local furniture stores for sales, visit garage sales (but be sure not to buy mattresses and bedding secondhand) and furniture overstock outlets, and regularly visit furniture store websites for ongoing deals. It's best to purchase new furniture from a reputable furniture store like Circus Furniture, as an unscrupulous retailer may try to rip-off less savvy shoppers.  



Image Source: theguardian.com



For more tips on finding affordable quality furniture for a starter home, like this Facebook page.