728x90
my iParenting
From Our Sponsors
e-newsletters
Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters

new terms of use
new privacy policy
award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Home › Articles › Furniture › Furniture 101

Furniture 101

4 Steps to Finding What You Want

By Derek Groves

Pages:  1  2  3  

Why is it that when you decide to purchase new furniture you have trouble finding exactly what you want, and browsing furniture showrooms seems to confuse the situation rather than help it? You may even find it challenging to tell a quality piece of furniture from lesser grades. And what style is really best for you? Even professional, residential designers can end up confused or overwhelmed. The good news is that much like choosing a car or a home, if finding new furniture is a process based on need and function, it can be enjoyable.

Step 1: Know What You Need
How can you prevent yourself from "image overload" after a day of shopping various furniture stores? Simply put, know what you need and any special requirements you have before you go out. Remember outlines from English class? They gave a quick overview of the facts. This same tool can be helpful to establish your needs before you ever step foot in a store. You don't need to actually outline on paper, but at least have a conversation with yourself or others in the household about the use of the furniture piece you require.

If you want a new chair and ottoman, determine who is going to use it most, when and while doing what. Is it for reading by yourself, or do you need a little extra seat width for a child to crawl up with you? When your needs are established first, it is much easier to proceed with the process, because not every chair will suit your needs.

Step 2: Know What You Want
Measure the area you have in order to establish the maximum size your space can handle. Then, think of adjectives that describe the upholstery you desire, like soft and comfortable or firm and oversized. This way you can eliminate chairs that are too big or too small and ones that simply don't look the way you want.

The most helpful thing to do is shop online first, and then go to the stores and sit in the furniture that meets your criteria. Many companies have Web sites where you can view one chair at a time and consider the dimensions and general styling. Usually these upholstered pieces are shown in a plain fabric, often a cream textile. This is for your benefit. It allows you to establish the line or style you like first, determine if the dimensions meet your needs and then find the fabric that is perfect for your space.


Pages:  1  2  3  


Want to see more?