Len Lewin

I would love it if everyone who went furniture shopping had a happy, productive experience, and ended up with a room full of comfortable, quality furniture that was a joy to come home to and use. But in the real world, it takes a bit of work to achieve these results. There are no shortcuts. Even if you don’t buy my book, please take to heart the following basic tips I’ve gathered for you on furniture shopping. These tips are generated from my decades of experience in the furniture industry, and they are effective!

1. When you go shopping have a “real plan” with you. Know the size of your rooms, know where the windows and fireplace is, know what your traffic flow will be, know how you want to use the room or rooms. In short: Be Prepared! How can you make good furniture selections if you are not sure what size, style, and function you need? Remember if you don’t have a plan for success you automatically have a plan for failure!

2. Don’t buy “discounts”! How do you know if 50% off is a good buy? Maybe 30% off on Brand A is better than 50% off on Brand B. Remember the least important bit of information you will receive when you are shopping is what the percentage discount is on any item! Pay attention to the actual price of any item. This is “real” information. Everything else may be an illusion.

3. When entering a furniture store, if someone approaches you and asks if you need help say “Yes!” Don’t say you are just shopping. How are you going to know what the store can do for you if you don’t let the store personnel help you? You are not wasting their time. This is what the store owners and managers want you to do. Remember no one can sell you anything unless you want them to. You have the power. You have the money. You are in control. Take charge of the process and you will be pleased and amazed at how well you will be treated.

4. Don’t shop for furniture when you are tired! Does this strike you as strange advice? Well, believe me there’s solid logic behind it. When you are tired anything and everything will feel comfortable. Wait until you are rested and then you can get a “real” feel for how the furniture you are considering “sits”!

5. Remember just spending a lot of money on furniture items does not mean your room, rooms or home will be wonderful. If you fail to bring all the elements of the home into consideration: lighting, paint, accessories, landscaping, you will simply end-up spending a lot of money and be disappointed. Good planning and knowing the difference between value and price is the key to spending better.