There’s a lot to think about when choosing furniture. As a result, it’s easy to overlook certain important factors. Below are just some of the most common mistakes that people make when choosing furniture.

Failing to measure properly

Don’t assume that just because a sofa doesn’t look too big in a showroom, it will fit in your living room. Many people make the mistake of buying furniture without measuring, only to find out that it won’t fit in the room or that it simply takes up more space than anticipated. Start by taking measurements of the space first and then go shopping for furniture that fits these dimensions. Make sure to consider how the furniture will get into your home too - large furniture items that cannot be dismantled may be impractical for high rise apartments with narrow stair access.

Choosing a style that doesn’t suit the room

Certain styles of furniture may look nice in a showroom, but may look out-of-place in your home. Be careful of choosing furniture that incorporates bold colors, wild patterns or unusual wood tones - you may find that they clash with other furniture. When choosing between styles of furniture, contemporary furniture is typically a safe option. Try to consider the age of your home and the color scheme of a room when choosing furniture.

Going over budget

Be careful of spending too much money on furniture. Expensive finance repayments could result in you regretting your choice. Try to keep within a realistic budget so that you’re not putting yourself in debt that you struggle to pay back. When it comes to finance deals, always shop around so that you can get the best rates (some stores will offer 0% interest instalment plans, which are worth taking advantage of). It’s also worth waiting for sales periods where you may be able to access discounts.

Not considering your lifestyle needs

Some types of furniture may not be practical for certain lifestyles. If you have cats that scratch or messy kids, you don’t want to buy a velvet sofa that will rip and stain easily. A microfiber or leather sofa is likely to be better suited if you have pets or young kids. You should similarly consider cleaning and maintenance when it comes to chairs and dining tables. Wooden furniture with a high quality finish will be easier to wipe clean.

Not planning for the future

Your needs now may be different to your needs in the future. Before buying a small high-maintenance sofa, you should consider whether your family is likely to grow or whether you’re likely to have pets. It’s also important to consider how long you plan to have your furniture for. Buying cheap low quality furniture is fine if it’s your first home or if you’re likely to move soon, however if you’re furnishing your forever home, you may want to invest in some higher quality furniture that is more likely to last for years.